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Childcare & Preschool

Early childhood education with preschool and care for children ages 16 months to five years

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It's always an incredible day at the Wilder Child Development Center!

With full-time childcare and preschool right here in Saint Paul, Minnesota, parents and guardians can expect the highest quality learning and care for their children ages 16 months to 5 years with year-round enrollment. Our community of staff and teachers continually recognize and strive to meet the diverse needs, abilities, interests and cultures of children and their families, where each person is valued and respected as a contributor in our classroom environment. (See our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion at Wilder).

The Wilder Child Development Center is a Head Start co-location site, NAEYC accredited and has the highest rating of ★ ★ ★ ★ 4-Stars by Parent Aware. This means that parents and guardians can expect incredible childcare, learning that prepares children for kindergarten and life, and support for the whole family!

Contact:
Phone: 651-280-2600 | Fax: 651-280-3600 | Email: childcenter@wilder.org

Location: 911 Lafond Ave., Saint Paul, MN (Find & review us on Google Maps)
Take a Tour of the Wilder Child Development Center

Hours:
Monday–Friday 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Social:
Follow & review us on Facebook

Want to get involved at the Child Development Center?

Email volunteers@wilder.org to ask about volunteer opportunities
Visit our careers page to find out more about openings at the Child Development Center.
Contribute to our food shelf. Email Donyella Smith and Angie Clair for information about current needs.

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Minnesota Children's Book Author and Artist, Nancy Carlson, visited the Wilder Child Development Center for a book reading and drawing lesson.

Our full-time, NAEYC accredited and 4-Star Parent Aware rated Child Development Center:

Provides early childhood education through child care and preschool with social and emotional learning using The Incredible Years® curriculum
Focuses on getting kids ready for kindergarten
Supports individualized learning with classrooms by age
Engages parents and families to take part in their child's learning
Connects families with community services, resources and supports

A child’s early years are important and set the stage for future success.
At Wilder's Child Development Center, we foster a nurturing and creative environment where toddlers and preschoolers are valued. Along with reading and math lessons, children learn how to share, play with others and understand their feelings through the Incredible Years curriculum.

Growth and Learning in a Safe, Fun Place for Children

Large classrooms with space for group time and one-on-one, individualized learning
Two secure outdoor playgrounds, a nature area and an indoor gym
Fresh and healthy meals (breakfast and lunch) and snacks made onsite
National accreditation by NAEYC and a top 4-STAR rating from Minnesota’s Parent Aware

Community Partnerships and Resources for Families

Innovative music learning program with MacPhail Center for Music
Head Start co-location site for families who qualify
Saint Paul Public Schools partnership for early childhood screening, individualized education plan services, and assistance enrolling in kindergarten.
Minnesota Reading Corps curriculum helps build math and early literacy skills

Family Involvement & Support Beyond for Families

Parent-teacher conferences to reinforce lessons and strengthen bonds between children and families
Parent education classes to develop positive parenting strategies
Parent advisory group to seek feedback in decisions about the center, curriculum and activities
Family fun nights to bring together families, children and staff (monthly)

Wilder Child Development Center provides classrooms that engage toddlers and preschoolers

Large classrooms provide space for group time and one-on-one learning.

Wilder's Child Development Center provides music lessons from MacPhail Center for Music

Child Development Center students are part of an innovative music program with MacPhail Center for Music.

Wilder Child Development Center cafeteria, preschool lunch time

Child Development Center students gather in the cafeteria to eat healthy meals and snacks that are prepared on-site.

An indoor gym is available on days when weather doesn't permit children to play outside.

Wilder Child Development Center climbing wall

The Child Development Center gym features a climbing wall.

Two playgrounds are available at Wilder Child Development Center.

Wilder Child Development Center offers two playgrounds for children

Child Development Center students have two secure outdoor playgrounds.

Toddlers (16 months to 33 months)

Our toddler classrooms have a 2:8 (Cub Classroom) and a 3:12 (Bear Classroom) teacher-to-child ratio. These small class sizes encourage individualized learning. We schedule monthly field trips and quarterly parent-teacher conferences.

We work with our 16- to 33-month-old toddlers on skills like:

Putting toys away
Recognizing body parts
Verbalizing the need to use the bathroom
Going up and down stairs
Matching familiar objects
Potty training (by 33 months)
And more!

Penguins (2 1/2 to 3 1/2 years)

To support individualized learning, the Penguin classroom has a 3:18 teacher-to-student ratio. We schedule monthly field trips and quarterly parent-teacher conferences.

We work with our 2 1/2- to 3 1/2-year-old children on skills like:

Following classroom rules and routines
Expressing themselves using feeling words
Recognizing individual names
Performing many self-care tasks independently
Counting to 20 in English

Butterflies (3 to 4 years)

Our Butterflies classroom has a teacher-to-student ratio of 3:20. Partnerships with the Saint Paul Public Schools and Minnesota Reading Corps help children prepare for kindergarten and build early literacy skills. We schedule monthly field trips and quarterly parent-teacher conferences.

We work with our 3- to 4-year-old children on skills like:

Sitting, listening and participating during large group activities
Using words to resolve conflict
Making phonic sounds for the letters of the alphabet
Using body coordination to move easily
Using words and senses to observe and explore
Recognizing and naming all letters of the alphabet

Dolphins (4 to 5 years old)

To support individualized learning, our Dolphins classroom has a 3:20 teacher-to-student ratio. Partnerships with the Saint Paul Public Schools and Minnesota Reading Corps help children prepare for kindergarten and build early literacy skills. We schedule monthly field trips and quarterly parent-teacher conferences.

We work with our 4- to 5-year-old children on skills like:

Following directions
Recognizing and naming most letters of the alphabet
Writing first names and recognizing last names
Recognizing and producing rhyming sounds
Mastery of self-help skills
Beginning to identify different characteristics of people

Each of our classrooms is staffed by a lead teacher and one or more assistant teachers who are excited about helping children learn.

Meet Our Teachers

We accept enrollments to the Wilder Child Development Center throughout the year. Parents and guardians can also make payments online using our safe and secure system.

Step 1: Take a Tour

Start the process by taking a tour of our center and facilities. During the tour, you can observe our classrooms and ask questions. We’ll also have tuition information available.

Request a Tour

Step 2: Complete an Application

Once you tour and decide to enroll your child, complete an application and submit it in-person, mail or email:

Address:
Wilder Child Development Center
911 W. Lafond Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55104

Email:
childcenter@wilder.org

Step 3: We'll Call You

If we have a spot open, we’ll schedule a meeting with you to go over additional paperwork.

If we don’t have a spot available, we’ll add you to our waiting list.

Questions? Speak to our school staff at 651-280-2600.

How much is the tuition at the Child Development Center?

Tuition is a flat, weekly rate (5 full weekdays) that includes healthy breakfast, lunch and snacks made fresh on-site, community field trips, and family support including parent advisory groups and parent education classes. We offer full-time childcare from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and do not have half-day child care and preschool options at this time. Children ages 16 months to 5 years are accepted. We do not offer infant or school-aged care.

Maximum Tuition Costs:

Toddlers: Ages 16 months to 32 months | $376.80* per week
Preschoolers: 33 months to 5 years | $318* per week
School Age: 5 years to 12 years (summer months only) | $240* per week

*Your weekly tuition payment can be lowered with child care assistance programs or early learning scholarships to help you pay for child care.

How can you pay for child care?

We understand that it is not always easy to afford care for your child(ren). Parents, guardians and families have flexibility in how they choose to pay for child care and can get financial help using Minnesota’s state and county child care assistance programs and early learning scholarships. Remember, you can make payments to us at the center or pay your bill online.

Private Pay

Families deciding to pay tuition out of pocket:

Tuition payments can be made by cash, check, credit card or debit card
Must be paid weekly with payment due every Monday

Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)

Families who are income eligible and meet employment and training requirements can get financial assistance from Minnesota Department of Human Services to pay for child care.

Good to know about Child Care Assistance Programs:

Based on your family’s size and gross annual income (the amount of money your family earns in one year from all sources before taxes), you may have to pay a copayment or a portion of the child care cost
You may be put on a waiting list to receive child care assistance.

CCAP Eligibility: Find out if your family is eligible for childcare assistance

CCAP Application: Apply for the Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program

Think Small Early Learning Scholarships

Families who live in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties can get a scholarship from Think Small

Good to know about Early Learning Scholarships:

Your family’s eligibility will also be based your child(ren)’s age and gross annual income.
Maximum scholarship amount is $7,500/year, equal to 6 months of full time child care at Wilder Child Development Center. Staff can work with you to help you make this scholarship last longer.

Think Small Eligibility: Find out if your family is eligible for an early learning scholarship

Think Small Application: Apply for a Think Small Early Learning Scholarship

We have a parent calendar for our parents to download and reference throughout the year. All dates and information are subject to change due to program needs. If a change is made we will communicate the change as soon as possible through email, text and written notice.

Wilder Child Development Center 2022-23 Parent Calendar

Here are some general questions that we can answer for parents and guardians who are considering enrolling their child(ren) at the Child Development Center.

I'm interested in having my child(ren) attend the Child Development Center, where can I apply?

We accept applications at any time. However, we invite you to first see our Child Development Center by taking a tour. Watch our video to get a sneak-peak!

What does the weekly child care tuition cover?

Weekly child care tuition includes healthy breakfast, lunch and snacks made fresh in our cafeteria, field trips, parent education and family support.

How can I pay for my child(ren)'s tuition?

You can choose to pay your child's tuition privately and/or use child care assistance government programs and early learning scholarships like Think Small. You can also make online payments safely and securely!

How will I know how my child(ren) are doing?

You'll be connected with teachers on a daily basis through safe, secure apps who will share your child's updates, pictures and moments so you don't miss a beat.

Where can I learn more about the classrooms and teachers?

Read about our classrooms and our teachers, and don't forget to follow us on Facebook.

What other resources will I have access to?

You will have access to free parent education groups, family resources, the Direct Housing Assistance Program that helps you pay your rent or mortgage and other Wilder programs and services.

Nearly 75 percent of the families whose children attend the Wilder Child Development Center rely on the Child Care Assistance Program and early learning scholarships to pay tuition. Your generosity helps provide quality learning, child care and community support for children and their families right here in Saint Paul!

Preschool-age boy wearing blue graduation cap and gown

The McKinney family chose the Child Development Center for its diversity and focus on kindergarten readiness in a supportive environment

When Lawrence and Charmaine McKinney started looking for child care for their oldest child, they wanted to find something near their neighborhood. They also wanted an opportunity to interact with a racially and ethnically diverse group o...More about this story »

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Donors Craig and Kathy Binger’s connection to Wilder spans a century