High-quality early childhood education is an evidence-based intervention proven to reduce the occurrence of health disparities like heart disease, drug and alcohol abuse and teen pregnancies. The lack of quality early care and education options has resulted in an achievement gap seen in children as early as eighteen months old with lower neurological, cognitive and social-emotional development.
With this Community Impact Grant, the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA) and its partners (including childcare providers and parents) developed the Wisconsin Early Education Shared Services Network (WEESN) – Milwaukee initiative to strengthen the quality and continuity of local childcare providers in the most under-resourced areas of Milwaukee. The initiative worked to stabilize childcare by connecting family and group childcare programs to pool resources and capitalize on economies of scale and expertise. By sharing resources, knowledge and staffing, childcare programs can build capacity in their caregiving and improve outcomes for young children and their families. WEESSN-Milwaukee promoted and sustained more accessible, high-quality early care and education opportunities, ultimately benefiting children, working parents, childcare providers and their communities.
The Challenge
Children and families living in Milwaukee’s most under-resourced neighborhoods face significant inequities in access to high-quality early care and education (ECE). These disparities are evident as early as eighteen months of age, with children showing lower levels of neurological, cognitive and social-emotional development. The lack of high-quality ECE options contributes to an early and persistent achievement gap that perpetuates lifelong health disparities, including increased risks of heart disease, substance use and teen pregnancy. High-quality ECE is not only an evidence-based intervention proven to reduce these disparities but also a protective factor against child abuse and neglect.
Despite the importance of high-quality ECE, only 7 percent of the 255 early care programs in the Milwaukee area are rated 4- or 5-stars. Programs in these neighborhoods face numerous barriers to achieving and sustaining quality care. Furthermore, most families served in these communities are single-parent, low-income households who rely on dependable childcare to work and build financial security. Without a stable and high-quality ECE infrastructure, both children and their families are left without the foundational support needed to thrive.
Project Goals
The goal of the Wisconsin Early Education Shared Services Network (WEESSN) – Milwaukee Initiative was to strengthen the early care and education (ECE) sector in Milwaukee’s most under-resourced neighborhoods by increasing quality programming across participating childcare programs. Key project goals included:
Using technological advancements and centralized processing to help manage everyday business tasks and free up time for administrators to focus on what matters most – supporting teachers and improving care for children.
Implementing joint purchasing to allow more funds to be reinvested into the program and help provide healthier meals and better material for children.
Having a shared substitute teaching pool to give regular staff the time off they need without causing stress on the program or risking burnout.
Supporting high-quality programming to ensure that the program remains sustainable.
Results
As a result of this award, the Wisconsin Early Education Shared Services Network (WEESSN) – Milwaukee Initiative transformed the childcare landscape in Milwaukee’s most under-resourced neighborhoods in just five years. Starting with just 20 childcare providers in 2020, the initiative has expanded to support over 61 programs, directly impacting the care and development of more than 1,300 children each year.
To address the administrative and financial burdens faced by childcare programs, WEESSN facilitated the implementation of childcare management systems for 53 providers and delivered over 206 technology coaching sessions to support their use. More than 533 hours of business coaching were provided to help providers navigate licensing, improve budgeting and apply for grants, including Early Head Start. As a result, five programs earned national accreditation, and many others improved their YoungStar quality ratings. Recognizing the workforce challenges in the ECE sector, WEESSN prioritized educator well-being by launching the Educator Assistance Program (EAP), which offered access to one-on-one counseling, legal and financial support and mindfulness training. These services helped reduce burnout and supported a more resilient workforce.
The initiative also addressed food insecurity and nutrition through the Milwaukee Edible Gardens Project. Thirteen childcare gardens were installed, engaging over 200 children in hands-on gardening and nutrition education. Providers received 80 hours of technical training to integrate fresh, healthy food into programming, while families benefited from fresh food box distributions and virtual cooking classes focused on healthy meal preparation. At the policy level, WEESSN played a key role in advocating for regulatory changes, such as allowing family childcare providers to use digital tools for compliance, further easing administrative burdens.
Lasting Impact
The WEESSN – Milwaukee Initiative leaves behind a stronger, more resilient early childhood education sector in Milwaukee’s most challenged communities. In 2024 alone, WEESSN facilitated over 350 provider interactors, supporting program leadership, compliance and professional development efforts. With over 933 hours of coaching and more than 1,000 hours of professional development made available statewide, WEESN has significantly strengthened provider capacity and early childhood education outcomes across Milwaukee and beyond.
