About Us

What’s special about Red Caboose?

Red Caboose 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.