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Our Goal

We imagine a world where young children and their families are embraced by a healthy school family that reflects the diversity of our community. It’s where differences are celebrated and moments of conflict are seen as an opportunity for everyone to learn.

Imagine with us a world where children from all racial and socioeconomic backgrounds are intentionally integrated for real-life success, and their adult family members benefit from a two-generational support system.

While children will enjoy The Playing Field’s highest quality of care and education, our unique and innovative partnerships with Plumbers Union Local 75 and The Road Home will provide adult job training and career opportunities along stable, affordable housing in a coordinated effort that strengthens families.

The World We Imagine

The World We Imagine campaign is a $6 million fundraising effort that will stand as a beacon of real hope for families striving to exit a life of poverty. Our vision includes a 15,000 square foot facility that has been custom-designed to accommodate 100 children. Our center will include specially designed spaces to assist children impacted by trauma as well as observation areas that will allow us to share our unique model with other early childcare educators.

Thanks to the generosity of the Plumbers Union Local 75, The Playing Field has a permanent home for our new East Side school. The Union purchased the former Menards store by East Towne Mall. Union leaders set aside 15,000 square feet for The Playing Field that may be occupied for a small monthly maintenance fee, so long as The Playing Field pays for the build-out of the preschool space.

Our unique model for early care and education

The World We Imagine features early education that is based on a sound understanding of child development and research-based practices. We imagine child care designed around children instead of child care that demands change from children.

We imagine a world where early childhood teachers are supported and given the tools required to support children impacted by adversity, such as homelessness. It’s a world where emotional attachments provide a path to healing for children affected by trauma.

The World We Imagine is one in which self-regulation is both modeled and taught so that all children can learn to manage emotions, negotiate conflict and understand the perspectives of others. By fostering these skills on the journey to adulthood, today’s children become tomorrow’s world changers.

Breaks barriers to access of high-quality programs

Minimizes disparity in early education opportunities

Cares for children in a setting that reflects the diversity of our community

Combines children from a wide range of backgrounds

Provides trauma-sensitive care

Offers a template for eliminating preschool suspensions and expulsions

Addresses high turnover rates of staff in early education settings

Prioritizes early attachments as the basis for all learning

Protects the right of children to play and emphasizes social-emotional learning

The Playing Field’s partners in support of families

Our strategic partnerships allow each organization to focus on their area of expertise. With support from the city of Madison and United Way of Dane County our partnerships support families as they work to break barriers and achieve their goals.

The Playing Field: High-Quality Early Care and Education

Plumbers Union Local 75: Career Training Opportunities

The Road Home Dane County: Stable and Affordable Housing

With Support from United Way of Dane County and the City of Madison

This new partnership will allow us to..

Expand our East Side capacity from 20 children to 100

Increase our ability to train other early educators

Meet a community need for evening care

Provide a model that others can replicate

Offer families support to pursue career training opportunities