Frequently Asked Questions
The Playing Field is an early education program that has served children and families in the Madison area since 2015. We are committed to removing barriers for families seeking high-quality child care and early education services. We aim to reduce the disparity between white and minority children in our community and we believe it is important for children of all races and socio-economic backgrounds to have access to the same programs. Our model is based on these components:
• Conscious Discipline®, an evidence-based, social-emotional program. This approach has been the foundation of our ability to work with children affected by early adversity. The Playing Field has been held as a model for trauma-sensitive care, and we credit Conscious Discipline® for our success. Conscious Discipline® is different from other social-emotional programs because it teaches adults to manage their own emotions before attempting to assist children. It helps adults see behavior as communication and to focus on teaching children new skills.
• Self-regulation. In moments of upset or conflict, we find opportunities to teach children how to solve problems and manage emotions.
• Early attachments are the foundation for learning and as the best buffer against Adverse Childhood Experiences. We keep children in the same group with the same teacher for as long as possible. We keep our class sizes small and ratios low so teachers can form meaningful relationships with children and their parents and so that children can form connections with each other. The Playing Field is a model for other programs. We have demonstrated the power of a school family where each child can have individual needs met – even if those needs are very different. We have shown the power of attachment and the value of social-emotional learning.
As part of our program, we have partnered with a local non-profit, the Road Home, for children in our care who are experiencing homelessness. The Road Home provides case management services and housing options for these vulnerable children and families.
Yes. The Playing Field prepares children for success in school and in life. The number one predictor of school readiness is self-regulation. This is the ability to manage thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Self-regulation is the best predictor of future relationship success, health, and longevity. Multiple research studies have concluded that early academics are harmful to children. Play is the foundation of all future learning. Therefore, The Playing Field is committed to a child’s right to play.
Many barriers prevent children from accessing high-quality early care and education. Through grant funding and private donations, we assure that cost is never a barrier. In addition, we provide transportation services. Our model also addresses the high preschool expulsion rates. (An estimated 250 preschool-aged children are suspended or expelled each day, with both boys and girls of color being disproportionally impacted.) Through small class sizes, low child-to-teacher ratios, and an emphasis on social-emotional learning, The Playing Field can support children who might otherwise be excluded from other programs and particularly those impacted by early adversity.
The Plumbers Union Local 75 purchased the former Menards building on East Springs Drive with plans to provide a skilled trades training program. We worked with their leadership team to develop a partnership so that those adults in their training programs could also access quality child care – in the same facility!
The Playing Field benefits by having free rent for 30 years and Plumbers Union members and students have priority access to child care for their children. Families impacted by homelessness make up a third of our enrollment and we envision these families being able to take advantage of job training opportunities in skilled trades and in early childhood education.
In just six years, our programs and services have doubled and, unfortunately, we must turn away families every year who want to enroll in The Playing Field.
By partnering with Plumbers Union Local 75 and renovating space that we can have ready soon, we are able to move quickly and nimbly to serve more children and families. Purchasing land and building new from the ground up would take months if not years and would require significantly more resources than we currently have or might be able to generate to meet this urgent need.
Investments in early education – and this innovative partnership – will benefit our community in many ways. A few examples are highlighted here:
• Multiple studies have shown the benefits of investing in quality early education. For every dollar invested into early education, there is an estimated return of at least $7 and some studies put that number as high as $20.
• Having safe, reliable child care means parents can work or engage in academic pursuits that will help support their children and families.
• Quality early care and education begin the preparation of our future workforce, innovators, and leaders.
• Investments in high-quality early education reduces higher costs that can arise later and are affiliated with special education services, mental health services, and incarcerations.
• Our model has the added benefit of combining children from varied racial and economic backgrounds. Early experience with those of other races and cultures has been shown to reduce bias. We believe our model gives children the best beginning as they learn to work together, solve problems, and see from the perspectives of others.
The Playing Field is funded through these sources:
• One-third of our families pay private tuition.
• One-third of our families receive scholarship assistance, which we raise through charitable gifts. Families who receive scholarships also receive childcare subsidies through the City of Madison or Dane County. Our scholarship fund closes the gap between what those subsidies pay for and the true cost of quality early care and education.
• One-third of our families receive assistance through grant funding that prioritizes children impacted by homelessness and other early adversity, such as poverty or placement in foster care.
We currently receive numerous grants to fund ongoing operations including but not limited to grants from Early Head Start, United Way Dane County, and the City of Madison. Our original location has a partnership with Early Head Start through Reach Dane. This community partnership grant was awarded in 2015 and continues to support families at our midtown location. In addition to financial support, Early Head Start provides family services and transportation.
The Playing Field is one of 13 organizations in Dane County that received a grant as part of the 2GEN program through United Way. Using a multi-generational lens and investment strategy, we work collaboratively to address historical and cultural barriers that could undermine a family’s well-being. For instance, when adults know that their children are in a safe, high-quality learning environment, they can focus on obtaining jobs that pay a family-sustaining wage. These grants are an intentional investment with the goal to improve family well-being by working with children under the age of five and the adults in their lives.
We have a goal to raise $5 million and open the new facility in September 2023.
We began planning the facility in 2021. Then, in early 2022 we began engaging community leaders and inviting donors to support the project. We are planning to complete the project and open the doors to the new space in fall 2023.