Madison is a lively city nestled between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona, offering endless opportunities for outdoor fun, from kayaking and biking to strolling along the scenic waterfront. With 269,840 residents as of the 2020 census and over 680,796 in the metro area, Madison is a perfect mix of small-city charm and big-city amenities.
Madison is home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison, one of the country’s top public universities. The student population gives Madison a youthful energy and innovative spirit. Madison’s economy thrives on healthcare, tech, and government, with major employers like Epic Systems, Exact Sciences, and American Family Insurance calling it home. The arts scene in Madison is thriving and includes the Overture Center for the Arts, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, and countless local music festivals.
If you’re moving to Madison with young children, there’s no shortage of great options to give your child a confident start. Most preschool programs welcome kids between 2 and 5 years old. Preschool isn’t the same as pre-K, though. Pre-K is designed to prepare 4- and 5-year-olds for kindergarten. While pre-K programs are typically free, preschools are mostly tuition-based. We know the cost of living in Madison is important, so we've tried to include tuition costs in this guide when available.
This guide to the top Madison WI area preschools can help you in your search for the perfect preschool for your child.
Best Preschools in Madison
Preschool of the Arts | Nurturing Open-Minded, Creative, and Compassionate Learners
Preschool of the Arts nurtures open-minded, creative, and compassionate learners who see the world with wonder and joy. Rooted in the Reggio Emilia philosophy, the school believes children are capable, curious, and full of potential. Learning happens through exploration, collaboration, and creative expression in beautifully designed environments that inspire discovery.
Teachers act as guides and co-learners, encouraging children to ask questions, express themselves through art, and make sense of the world around them. The curriculum is project-based and evolves from the interests of the children, blending academics with hands-on experiences in science, storytelling, music, and movement.
Every classroom at this Madison preschool is intentionally arranged to promote curiosity, confidence, and connection in life by using natural light, open materials, and artwork that reflects the children’s positive ideas. Families play an essential role in their child’s development as active partners in the learning process.
Preschool of the Arts celebrates diversity and individuality and emphasizes respect, empathy, and belonging. Children are taught to listen, collaborate, and care for themselves and others. The school emphasizes the arts, including painting, drama, and music, helping children express emotions and ideas in numerous ways.
New Morning Nursery School is a parent-cooperative preschool, serving children ages 2 to 6. They offer half-day, play-based programs designed to meet each child’s individual developmental needs. The school’s philosophy is that children learn best through play. Play is viewed as the foundation of exploration, creativity, problem-solving, and social connection. These skills build confidence and prepare children for lifelong learning. Teachers recognize that every child develops at their own pace. They provide gentle guidance and individualized attention.
The curriculum at this Madison preschool is carefully designed to support growth across social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development, while promoting independence, curiosity, and respect for others. Children are encouraged to take initiative, ask questions, and express themselves freely within a safe and nurturing community.
The staff at New Morning are highly experienced and deeply committed to the students’ well-being. They create rich, hands-on learning environments where imagination and discovery thrive every day. Parents are dedicated and play an active role as part of the cooperative model, helping to build a close-knit, collaborative community that values communication and shared responsibility. As a result, New Morning Nursery School upholds the highest standards of early education.
Wildflowers Learning Center is a place where children can move, play, learn, and grow in a joyful, nurturing environment. The school balances movement, creativity, and education through play and exploration. The classrooms and play areas are designed to encourage individual and group discovery, helping children develop social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills through meaningful play. Whether they’re building, climbing, creating, or collaborating, children are constantly learning while having fun.
Wildflowers provides two healthy snacks every day, often organic and locally sourced, introducing children to a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole foods. Their nutritionist designs menus that make eating well a fun, flavorful experience. Play is at the heart of the curriculum, where children develop gross motor movement and fine motor skills through imaginative play and cooperative games. These experiences also teach problem-solving, collaboration, and confidence.
Inspired by Montessori, homeschooling, and the philosophies of Sir Ken Robinson, Wildflowers’ curriculum aligns with the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards. Children spend less time seated at this Madison preschool and watching and more time exploring, ensuring that movement and learning go hand in hand.
University Avenue Discovery Center | Empowering Children to Boldly Explore and Compassionately Interact with Their World
University Avenue Discovery Center (UADC) believes in nurturing each child academically, socially, and emotionally through play, creativity, and connection. Their preschool program emphasizes equality, emotional literacy, and a love of learning. They build on each child’s natural curiosity and emotional development through play-based lessons, hands-on experimentation, group discussions, and exploration of our local community.
With low teacher-to-child ratios, UADC ensures that every child receives the attention they deserve rather than convenience. Learning extends beyond the classroom with interactive field trips and community partnerships.
The on-site chef at this Madison preschool prepares nutritious, locally sourced meals and snacks and teaches children the value of healthy eating in early childhood. Weekly enrichment opportunities, including music, math, dance, yoga, Spanish, and theater, encourage children to express themselves and explore new cultures in a supportive, inclusive environment. UADC’s educators view each child as a unique individual, each with their own strengths, needs, and experiences.
Through guided play at this Madison preschool, children develop problem-solving, social skills, collaboration, and emotional awareness, which are important for laying a strong foundation for lifelong success. Family involvement is a cornerstone of UADC’s philosophy. They believe that open communication between parents and educators is essential and helps them adapt learning experiences to each child’s evolving needs. They also celebrate diversity through a multicultural curriculum, encouraging children to value and share their families' traditions and stories.
Orchard Ridge Nursery School | A High-Quality Preschool Where it’s Good to Be a Kid
Orchard Ridge Nursery School (ORNS) is more than child care. Their goal is a child-centered, play-based learning experience that is age-appropriate. They believe preschool should be a joyful time filled with discovery, imagination, and connection for both children and their families.
ORNS strives to develop close relationships with parents and children, fostering a close-knit community. Their teachers are experienced, with an average tenure of 18 years, which means your child benefits from the stability and experience of educators who truly love what they do.
ORNS is accredited by the City of Madison and recognized as a 5-Star YoungStar provider. The curriculum at ORNS aligns with the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards, providing a strong foundation for lifelong learning. ORNS has created a healthy, safe environment for students.
The classrooms at this Madison preschool are disinfected daily with child-safe cleaning products; the staff is CPR- and first-aid certified; and the school maintains a strict nut-free policy to protect all students. Play is the foundation of learning at ORNS. Children explore, ask questions, and build confidence through imaginative, hands-on experiences. This play-based approach helps them develop skills such as creativity, problem-solving, and a love of learning that lasts well beyond preschool.
Tenney Preschool & Childcare was founded in 1979 by parents in Madison’s Tenney-Lapham neighborhood who sought to create a childcare cooperative rooted in community, curiosity, care, and friendship. Today, those same values continue to guide them. At Tenney, children have the freedom to follow their interests, explore the outdoors, and learn through play, supported by nurturing teachers.
Tenney features 5-star, accredited full and half-day preschool programs for children ages 2 and up. Their experienced teachers thoughtfully design lessons that reflect children’s natural curiosities, fostering social-emotional growth, creativity, independence, and problem-solving. With small, mixed-age classrooms, every child receives individualized attention while learning from peers of different ages and stages.
The cooperative structure at this Madison preschool is essential to who they are. Tenney is guided by an Executive Board made up of parents, staff, and community members who work closely with the Executive Director to uphold their community-centered mission. Families play an active role in shaping the environment in which their children learn, play, and grow.
The classrooms at Teney are bright and welcoming, with plenty of open space for movement, cozy corners for reading and language arts, and materials for imaginative art and sensory play. Outside, children can run, climb, and explore. Families provide lunches, and full-day students enjoy rest time with cozy blankets or nap mats as required by state licensing.
Madison Preschools FAQ
What Is the Best Preschool in Madison?
Madison has many good preschools. The 6 schools listed in this guide are among the best preschools in Madison.
Does Madison Have Good Preschools?
Yes, Madison preschools provide quality, pre-kindergarten education.
How Many Preschools Are There in Madison?
An exact number isn’t available, although Madison has many great preschools to choose from.
Moving to Madison? Let Us Help
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