Early Learning Takes Center Stage During the Week of the Young Child
From laughter on the sidewalk to lively conversations, the 2026 Week of the Young Child brought Milwaukee together in a powerful celebration of early childhood education (ECE).
We kicked off the week with a vibrant gathering at ThriveOn King that welcomed nearly 200 attendees. Families moved through the first floor, connecting with 30+ community organizations, resource tables and local vendors. Attendees could be seen with armloads of resources, giveaways and raffle goodies - from books and bracelets to wellness tools and take-home crafts. Meanwhile, kids and caregivers alike got hands on with activities, music and games, while learning more about ECE in Milwaukee.
The event included readings of both the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County proclamations, along with a real-aloud from local author and child care provider Kelly Melton. Daria Hall from the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families uplifted the advocacy efforts that led to last year’s state budget win and shared updates on the resulting Get Kids Ready program. Families also got the chance to learn about - and explore - Milwaukee Succeeds’ new PhotoVoice project, which shines a light on the stories and struggles of our ECE providers through their own photos and reflections.
The energy continued beyond the kickoff as almost 60 people joined the April 15 community gathering at ThriveOn King focused on exploring Milwaukee’s early childhood ecosystem. Early educators, advocates and ECE Coalition partners came together for candid, energizing conversations about how ECE strengthens the workforce and local economy – and what it looks like to move the work forward. A data walk grounded the discussion in current realities, offering a shared starting point for reflection and action.
Throughout the week, these moments added up to something bigger: a reminder that early learning is not only foundational for our children, but also deeply tied to the strength of Milwaukee’s families, workforce and future. It was powerful to see Milwaukee come together with such purpose in support of its youngest learners.
Learn more about how ECE strengthens Milwaukee’s workforce in our powerful new video.»
