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Children’s Center

The WSU Children’s Center provides early childhood education full-day care for infants, toddlers, and pre-school age children. Limited care is also available for school-age children through grade 2.

Enrollment is open to children of WSU students, employees, and Winona area community members.

Winona State has offered early childhood education and care programs since 1973. 

With over 50 years of experience, we are: 

  • licensed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services
  • accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
  • have a four-star rating from Minnesota’s Parent Aware Quality Rating System

Each classroom is led by a licensed teacher with an MN teaching license and an average of 15-20 years’ experience at the WSU Children’s Center.

This program benefits not only our children, but also our students. WSU students who want to earn licensure in education or related fields can complete practicum hours and gain hands-on experience in the classroom before they graduate—right on campus.

Connecting Home & School
The WSU Children’s Center mission supports a strong connection between home and school practices. 

We intentionally create relationships to support family engagement through: 

  • Formal and informal exchange of information with parents through scheduled conferences, center-wide emails and quarterly newsletter
  • Access to WSU and community resources 
  • Social events like Family Dance and picnics to celebrate Center families
A classroom teacher plays with a kid at the WSU Children's Center.

Rates & Fees

There is a non-refundable $50.00 registration fee to secure a spot in the preferred classroom. 

Weekly Rates
Infant

$266 per week

Toddler

$248 per week

Pre-K

$224 per week

School Age – After School Care

$65 per week

Hours: 2:30- 5pm

School Age – Summer

$190 per week

Schedules & Drop-in Care 

Families submit an enrollment contract in the fall, and classroom staffing depends upon the expected enrollment.

All schedules are year-round full-time with no option for part-time or drop-in care. Morning drop off is between 7-9am.

Breakfast is served and the core program hours offer themed activities that follow a developmentally appropriate curriculum between 9-11:30 am.

This need for consistency provides an easier transition between home and school and offers a more enriching experience for your child.

Enrollment Process

Policies & Practices

The Family Handbook (PDF) contains information about our daily practices and the policies that guide our work with children and their families.

The handbook is introduced to families during their initial orientation session before their child’s first day of enrollment attendance.

The Family Handbook is organized into the following sections:

  • General Program Information
  • Program Philosophy
  • Overview of Curriculum and Assessment
  • Health, Sanitation, Safety, and Supervision
  • Emergency Procedures
  • Behavior Guidance

The Family Handbook and relevant forms are available to download and are updated annually in August.

Family Resources

Winona State’s Children’s Center wants to make sure families feel confident in our care. We are here to make childcare as easy and stress-free as possible.

Family Alliance

The Family Alliance is open to any parent or guardian with a child enrolled at the WSU Children’s Center.

A private Facebook page – Families of the WSU Children’s Center – contains updates & news about events for families.

All families are welcome to attend for WSU Children’s Center updates and to support the classroom.

The Family Alliance supports the children, their families, and the teachers and staff at the WSU Children’s Center by:

  • building community between families and teachers by planning events 
  • supporting all families through sharing, communication, and resources 
  • assisting teachers with their identified classroom needs 
  • showing appreciation for teachers and staff
  • fundraising as needed to support the work of this group and the Center
Community Service
The WSU Children’s Center welcomes community volunteers to share time and talent in the classroom. 

All volunteer relationships to be coordinated through the Children’s Center main office.

A student demonstrates a science experiment with a kid at an event on the WSU campus.
Contact the Children’s Center
Children's Center
Helble Hall 108

108 E. Sanborn St.
Winona, MN 55987

507.457.2300

Email the Children’s Center
Hours

Childcare Hours

  • Monday-Friday 7am-5pm
  • No drop-in care

Office Hours
Monday-Friday: 8am-4pm