Search | Menu New Early Learning Campus at Goodman South expands child care and educator training
With the opening of the new $10 million Early Learning Campus (ELC) at Goodman South, Madison College has expanded child care and strengthened future early childhood educator training.
The 20,324-square-foot center now provides licensed care to 85-100 children from six weeks to five years old, addressing a critical shortage of child care options in the City of Madison. In addition, the facility offers flexible options, including drop-in, evening and weekend care, to meet the needs of working families and students.
The ELC initiative directly supports Madison College students who are parents and caregivers. Research consistently shows that student parents with access to affordable, reliable child care are more likely to complete their education, access higher-paying jobs and improve long-term economic stability for their families.
Madison College President Dr. Jennifer Berne joined students, faculty, industry partners and community collaborators to celebrate the ELC opening at a Jan. 15 ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“Affordable child care can change the trajectory of a family’s life,” Dr. Berne said. “When student parents know their children are safe and supported, they are better able to complete their education and pursue their goals. This investment strengthens families, supports our workforce, and reflects Madison College’s commitment to removing barriers to education. We are grateful for the bold leadership that established Goodman South Campus in 2019 and are proud to build on that vision today.”
Strengthening early childhood education
The new facility strengthens Madison College’s early childhood education program by immersing students in real-world learning environments that build the skills needed for professional child care careers. Students will have greater access to observations, practicums and internships, advancing their hands-on preparation.
The ELC builds on the vision of Madison College President-Emeritus Dr. Jack Daniels, who championed the creation of the Goodman South campus in 2019 to expand education and services to an underserved neighborhood. This project addresses the child care shortage and continues the college’s commitment to equitable success.
“The Early Learning Campus represents a promise kept,” Dr. Daniels said. “Goodman South Campus was built to expand opportunities in the South Madison community that had long been underserved, and child care was always part of that vision. By delivering on that commitment, Madison College is honoring the spirit in which this campus was created. The return on this investment will be felt for generations.”
Gov. Tony Evers and the Evers Administration have been steadfast supporters of the ELC, having secured critical funding to support its development at the Goodman South campus. In 2021, the governor awarded Madison College $2.875 million in grant funding through the successful Workforce Innovation Grant (WIG) program to support the college’s efforts to bolster child care availability in the area and training and upskilling for in-demand jobs in the ECE field. Administered by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, the governor created this program to support projects aimed at addressing long-term solutions to Wisconsin's regional workforce challenges, including child care.
“My administration and I were proud to do our part and help support this project with over $4 million in grants, including nearly $3 million through our Workforce Innovation Grant Program,” said Gov. Evers. “We created the Workforce Innovation Grant back in 2021 with one purpose in mind: to support projects that address key regional workforce needs, and this center and its mission to support kids, student-parents and caregivers, and our early childhood education professionals, is precisely what we were looking to support with these funds.”
The governor and his administration subsequently secured an additional more than $3 million in federal pandemic relief funds to support the Early Childhood Education and Workforce Training program, including $1.45 million in funds to support construction of the ELC facility not covered by WIG.
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and the Department of Workforce Development were key partners, connectors and supporters of this vital work.
Former city fire station transformed into child care space
The City of Madison supported the initiative through the $1 sale of Fire Station 6, located adjacent to the Goodman South Campus, enabling the building’s transformation into the Early Learning Campus. Madison College and the City of Madison collaborated on this effort that responds to shared community priorities.
“The City of Madison is a proud partner in this effort to expand child care access and train early childhood educators,” said City of Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway. “Through this creative collaboration, we are also advancing the public safety needs of South Madison through a new fire station and by building more affordable homes in one of our most dynamic neighborhoods. This is a win for Madison College, South Madison, and the Madison community as a whole.”
Generous private funders supporting the project include the Roots & Wings Foundation, the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation, the American Family Insurance Foundation, and the Madison Community Foundation’s Community Impact Grants program, as well as numerous donations from the community and Madison College employees.
Construction of the center was completed on Dec. 26, 2026. The center features seven classrooms, kitchen facilities, multipurpose room, a drop-in care room, teacher workspaces and a lactation room.
Learn more about the Madison College Early Learning Campus and Early Childhood Education programs.
