About Us

What’s special about Red Caboose?

Red Caboose is a nonprofit organization that has been providing Madison families with loving child care Since 1972.

Generations of families in Madison have trusted us to care for and love their children — and we take that mission seriously.

We’re the only child care center in Madison that factors family income into tuition costs — cost is calculated on a sliding scale.

Nutritious meals and snacks are included, and we make it all in-house.

We buck industry trends with low staff turnover. Our experienced teachers and staff dedicate themselves to Red Caboose children, some for as long as 40 years!

Come see for yourself. Schedule a tour, meet the teachers and families that make Red Caboose a special place for pre-school and school-aged children to learn, grow, and be loved.

Mission

Red Caboose fosters a sense of community among children, their families, and staff, with a commitment to diversity and inclusion. We provide excellent education, nutrition, and play-based learning for children in a nurturing, safe environment emphasizing healthy social-emotional development.

History

Red Caboose is the oldest independent child care center in Madison. Red Caboose was founded by a group of parents as a nonprofit child care center in 1972. In 1998 the University of Wisconsin Press published a book about Red Caboose, The Good-Bye Window. Since those early days, Red Caboose has expanded to meet the needs of families with school-age children through quality after school and summer camp programs.