Current Families

HOURS OF OPERATION:

7:30am – 5:30pm | Monday – Friday

2025|2026 ACADEMIC YEAR PROGRAM

August 18th, 2025-August 14th, 2026

HOURS OF OPERATION:

7:30am – 5:30pm | Monday – Friday

The CDL Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), is a group of CDL parent volunteers that meet to discuss parental involvement in various events and roles within the CDL. This includes:

• Serving as a forum for individuals to become more involved in the program
• Providing meaningful support to staff, children, and parents
• Planning and organizing several events (staff appreciation luncheon, guest talks, potlucks, etc.)
• Raising funds to support the activities and projects planned
• Giving input to the program on policies and procedures

All CDL parents are automatically part of the PTO, but involvement is voluntary.

Donate to the PTO

Who is eligible for 4K?

– Children who are 4 years of age on or before September 1. There is no process for early admittance into 4K.
– Families who reside in Madison.
– Families who reside outside of the MMSD whose home school district has a 4K program may apply for “Open Enrollment.”

What is 4K?

– Universal for all children in Madison and most surrounding districts who meet eligibility.
– Play-based, Inquiry curriculum that is:
— Age appropriate
— Individually appropriate
— Culturally appropriate
– Mixed-age groups
– Monthly 4K activity bags

What are the benefits of enrolling in 4K at the Child Development Lab?

– Nurturing, experienced, licensed early childhood teachers
– Small class sizes: maximum 1:10 adult/child ratio. MMSD school sites are budgeted at a 1:18 ratio.
– State Licensed, City of Madison Accredited, 5-Star rating with Young Star Quality Rating Scale in Wisconsin and Nationally Accredited through NECPA. Our program meets the highest standards of early care and education.
– Dynamic, innovative, setting that incorporates the teaching, research and outreach mission of UW-Madison and the School of Human Ecology.
– Our classrooms and playground are specifically designed for children aged 6 wks.-5 years old.
– Continuity of care and honoring attachments — children can remain in a familiar place with familiar teachers.
– Developmental portfolios are in addition to 4K progress reports that all 4K children receive.

What will the schedule be for 4K Instruction Hours?

– Monday-Friday AM: 9:00-11:30 Full day of enrichment is from 8:00-9 & 11:30-5:00.

What are the fees?

– 4K portion is free (M-F, 9-11:30 September to early June). CDL families pay tuition for full-day enrichment hours beyond 4K designated time.
– $40 Materials fee will be due at the beginning of August. Checks will be made out to MMSD.

Will transportation be provided?

– No, CDL is not a transportation site (MMSD is not able to bus children to and from our building).

Will 4K at the CDL follow the MMSD school calendar?

– We are required to provide 437 hours of “instructional time” for 4K. To do so, our school year will start and end similarly to the MMSD schools.  Our school closing dates during the academic year may be different (e.g., CDL winter break 2wks.)
– Note: MMSD releases elementary schools early on Mondays and they do not have 4k classes on Mondays at any of the MMSD elementary school sites.

What if we do not live in the Madison School District Attendance Area?

• If you are NOT a Madison resident, you will need to apply for Open Enrollment at the Dept. of Public Instruction website

1. Enroll with CDL at our normal January registration time.
2. You will then register with Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) online via Infinite Campus. Go to MMSD’s website to begin this process.
3. If you are NOT a Madison resident, you have one more step. You must also apply for Open Enrollment with the Department of Instruction (DPI).  Go to DPI’s website to complete the Open Enrollment process.
4. There is a $40 materials fee that will be due for all 4K students at the beginning of August. Checks for this will be made out to MMSD, but the funds will be returned to the CDL to cover 4K materials.