Early childhood education is an issue that impacts kids’ futures, families’ pocketbooks and employers’ bottom lines in every electoral district of the state, regardless of party or allegiance. Together, the Wisconsin Partnership respectfully urges every legislator and member of the Joint Committee on Finance to recognize the critical role early childhood education plays in the strength of our economy and the well-being of our communities.

This week, the BizTimes published a cover story examining the looming crisis facing Milwaukee’s child care sector – a vital but fragile part of the economy that supports working families, employers and our community as a whole. The article draws on insights from Milwaukee Succeeds’ staff and data from our recent report, Still Making Every Dollar Count, underscoring the urgency of the issue as the Child Care Counts (CCC) program approaches its June expiration.

In his recent Building Opportunity article, Greater Milwaukee Foundation President and CEO Greg Wesley highlights the powerful impact of early childhood education. High-quality early education fuels children’s long-term success, supports working parents, strengthens the workforce and builds healthier communities. Yet despite overwhelming evidence of its value, Wisconsin’s ECE sector is in crisis.

Access to affordable, high-quality early childhood education isn’t just a family issue - it’s a statewide economic imperative. In a new opinion piece published by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Gregory Wesley, JoAnne Anton and Milwaukee Succeeds’ Executive Director Vincent Lyles call on state leaders to take urgent action.

As Wisconsin embarks on its 2025-27 budget cycle, early childhood education advocates across the city – and the state – are preparing to make their voices heard. In order to bolster these efforts, Milwaukee Succeeds is hosting a series of in-person letter writing sessions at ThriveOn King, providing educators, providers and community members with the opportunity to engage in hands-on advocacy.

On August 29, Milwaukee Succeeds and our Early Childhood Education Ambassadors hosted a Family Game Night at the new ThriveOn King community hub, welcoming 45 guests for an evening of games, arts and crafts, and refreshments. It was a fantastic opportunity for families to meet our Ambassadors and explore this exciting new space.

On September 16, Governor Tony Evers released a press release highlighting the findings of a recent DCF survey, which revealed a troubling shortage of staff in the state’s child care industry. According to the research, nearly 60% of child care providers have unused capacity, mainly due to staffing issues, leaving an estimated 33,000 children without access to care.