Safe and supervised
A protected learning environment with clear routines, authorized pickup procedures and trained staff.
Licensed childcare · Milwaukee, WI
Welcome to Essence of Childcare University
Where safety, fun and learning collides.
A safe, nurturing and engaging environment where children learn, play, build confidence and grow. Open from 6:00 AM until 12:00 AM, for families whose schedules do not fit anyone else's.
- Ages 4 weeks to 7 years
- Mon to Fri, 6 AM to 12 AM
- Wisconsin Shares & private pay
- Diapers & wipes supplied
4 wks – 7 yrs
Ages we serve
18 hours
Open every weekday
100% CACFP
Approved meals
30 children
Licensed capacity
Open until midnight, five days a week
Second shift, overnight rotations, evening classes. ECU covers 18 hours a day so your schedule is not the reason your child loses care.
Why families choose ECU
Care built around real families
Little hands, big progressDeveloping skills every day
Hours that work
Open Monday through Friday, 6:00 AM to midnight—childcare designed for parents whose shifts extend beyond traditional daycare hours.
Learning for every age
Four classrooms with activities designed around each child’s age and stage of development.
Wisconsin Shares & private pay
We accept Wisconsin Shares and private pay. Diapers and wipes are provided, so that’s one less thing to pack.
CACFP-approved meals and snacksServed fresh, every day
A welcome every morningYou are loved, you are smart
A word from ECU
Choosing child care is an important decision
At ECU, our goal is to make families feel welcomed, informed and confident about the care their child receives. We work to create a space where children are protected, encouraged to explore, and supported as they reach new milestones.
Our classrooms
Four programs, four stages of growing
Every room is colour-keyed, so families and staff always know exactly where a child belongs.
Meals
Real food, cooked here
Meals and snacks follow the center's CACFP-approved meal plan. Tell us about allergies and dietary needs before your child's first day.
Inside the center
Take a look around
Every photo on this site is the real center on West Appleton Avenue. No stock, no staging.
Ready to learn more about ECU?
Experience the Essence difference.
Contact us to ask about current openings, schedule a tour, or begin the enrollment process.
About
About Essence of Childcare University
Created to give families dependable child care in an environment that combines safety, learning and fun.
We believe children learn best when they feel secure, supported and valued. Our team focuses on building positive relationships with children and families while providing consistent routines, age-appropriate activities and opportunities for children to develop socially, emotionally, physically and academically.
ECU is a licensed childcare center serving children from 4 weeks through 7 years old, with a licensed capacity of 30 children. We are at 5644 W. Appleton Ave in Milwaukee, open Monday through Friday from 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM.
Our mission. To provide a safe, nurturing and educational child care environment where children can learn through play, build confidence, develop healthy relationships and prepare for their next stage of growth.
What we stand on
Our values
Safety
Children's health, protection and supervision come first.
Learning
Children are given age-appropriate opportunities to explore, practice and grow.
Family Partnership
Families are respected as an important part of each child's care and development.
Consistency
Children benefit from predictable routines, clear expectations and caring adults.
Fun
Childhood should include joy, creativity, movement, play and positive experiences.
Community
We serve Milwaukee's north and west sides, with hours built around how families really work.
Meet our team
The people in the rooms
Our staff members work together to create a welcoming and supportive environment for every child. Each team member completes required training and follows center policies designed to support safe, quality care.
Staff profiles coming soon. Photos, names, positions, short bios, credentials and CPR/AED status will be published here once each team member has approved their profile. Call 1 (414) 791-8637 to ask about the teachers in your child’s room.
Safety and family confidence
Your child's safety matters
ECU follows center policies and applicable child care licensing requirements related to supervision, health, emergency preparedness, safe sleep, medication, authorized pickup, incident reporting and staff training.
Authorized pickup procedures
Safe sleep practices for infants
Medication procedures
Illness and exclusion procedures
Emergency and evacuation procedures
Child supervision
Emergency contact procedures
Mandated reporting obligations
Confidentiality and family privacy
Staff training and orientation
Programs
Our classrooms
Organized by age and developmental needs. Daily activities support learning, communication, movement, creativity, independence and positive social skills.
A day at ECU
Typical daily experiences
Routines stay predictable so children know what comes next. Exact timing shifts by classroom and by age.
- Arrival and welcome
- Breakfast and morning snack
- Learning centers and teacher-led activities
- Music, movement and gross-motor play
- Outdoor play when appropriate
- Lunch
- Rest, nap or quiet time
- Art, sensory and creative activities
- Afternoon snack
- Free choice and small-group activities
- Departure and family communication
Meals
CACFP-approved meals and snacks
Served according to the center's meal plan and program schedule. Tell us about food allergies, dietary restrictions or special feeding instructions.
Enrollment
Enrollment at ECU
We are excited that you are considering ECU for your child. Enrollment is based on classroom availability and completion of all required forms and records.
Six steps
How to enroll
- Contact ECUCall or message us to ask about availability in your child's age group.
- Schedule a tourVisit the center, meet staff and have an enrollment conversation.
- Complete the applicationFill out the enrollment application and all required forms.
- Provide recordsSubmit health and immunization records plus emergency contact information.
- Set up paymentComplete payment arrangements, including the registration fee when applicable.
- Get your start dateReceive your confirmed start date and classroom information.
What to have ready
- Child's full legal name and date of birth
- Parent or guardian contact information
- Emergency contacts and authorized pickup persons
- Health and immunization information
- Allergy, medication or special care information
- Wisconsin Shares authorization, if applicable
- Completed forms and signed center agreements
Start here
Enrollment inquiry
Send us your child's details and we will contact you about availability and next steps. Nothing on this form commits you to enrolling.
Tuition & payments
Tuition and payments
Tuition and fees vary by age, schedule and care needs. Contact ECU for current rates and classroom availability.
Fees and policies
Tuition and fees are due according to your signed payment agreement. Tuition may remain due during absences, illness and approved vacation periods according to the parent handbook and payment agreement.
The signed parent handbook and payment agreement control if website wording and contract wording ever differ.
Wisconsin Shares & private pay
ECU accepts Wisconsin Shares and private pay. Families using Wisconsin Shares complete their own eligibility and authorization process, and cover any parent portion not paid by Wisconsin Shares.
Included at no extra cost
- Diapers and wipes supplied by the center
- CACFP-approved meals and snacks
- Classroom learning materials
Want current rates for your child's age?
Rates depend on age, days needed and drop-off and pickup times. Call and we will quote your family directly.
Parent resources
Parent information center
Forms, policies and updates in one place. Everything here is built to open on a phone.
Forms and documents
Need a form now? Call or text 1 (414) 791-8637 and we will send it to you, or pick up a paper copy at the front desk during open hours.
Scan with your phone camera
Scan or tap
ECU shared folder
This code opens ECU’s shared Google Drive folder, named “ECU,” where the center shares its documents with families.
- On a phone: open your camera, point it at the code, then tap the link that appears.
- Already on your phone? Tap the button below instead.
- Where it goes: drive.google.com, the ECU folder. It opens in your browser or the Google Drive app. No account is needed to view it.
After your visit
Tour feedback form
Families who tour ECU are asked to rate first impression, cleanliness, atmosphere, professionalism and communication. Your feedback is what keeps the center honest about how it is doing.
Paper copies are at the front desk. You choose whether your comments stay private, are shared with your first name only, or are shared anonymously.
Parent FAQ
Questions families ask
What ages do you accept?
ECU serves children from 4 weeks through 7 years old, subject to classroom availability.
What are your hours?
ECU is open Monday through Friday from 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM, except scheduled holidays, closures or announced temporary schedule changes.
Do you accept Wisconsin Shares?
Yes. Families using Wisconsin Shares must complete the required eligibility and authorization process. ECU also accepts private pay.
Are meals and snacks provided?
ECU provides CACFP-approved meals and snacks according to the center's meal plan and program schedule. Tell us about food allergies, dietary restrictions or special feeding instructions.
What should my child bring?
Required items depend on age and classroom. Families receive a classroom-specific supply list before the child's start date. Diapers and wipes are supplied by the center.
Can I tour the center?
Yes. Contact ECU to request a tour and discuss current openings. Tours are scheduled during open hours.
How do you communicate with parents?
ECU communicates with families about attendance, care needs, reminders, incidents, classroom updates and other important information through approved center communication methods.
Gallery
Inside ECU
A look inside learning, play and everyday life at Essence of Childcare University. Every photo here is the real center.
Photographs of children are published only where ECU holds the appropriate parent or guardian permission for website and social media use.
Transportation
Need Transportation?
We can provide contact information for a private transportation provider. Parents must arrange services and make payments directly with the provider.
Private provider
Transportation fees
$120per month
For both pick-up and drop-off
$60per month
For one-way transportation, either pick-up or drop-off
Contact us for referral information. Confirm availability and current rates directly with the provider.
Please note: Transportation is not provided or managed by Essence of Childcare University.
Careers
Join the ECU team
We are looking for caring, dependable and professional team members who enjoy working with children and supporting families.
What we look for
- Genuine patience with young children
- Dependable attendance, including evening shifts
- DCF course completion, or willingness to complete it
- Current CPR and AED certification, or willingness to certify
- Clear communication with parents and co-teachers
- Background check clearance as required by Wisconsin licensing
Shifts available. ECU runs 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM Monday through Friday, so there are openings for early morning, midday and evening availability.
Apply to join our team
Tell us about yourself and your availability. We contact applicants directly about open positions.
Contact
Contact Essence of Childcare University
Questions about enrollment, availability, tuition or our programs? Contact us or send a tour request.
Reach us
Call or text us1 (414) 791-8637
Center office line262-416-8560
Email usessencechildcare@gmail.com
Visit us5644 W. Appleton Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53210
HoursMonday to Friday, 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Follow along@essencechildcare
Schedule a tour
Tell us a little about your family and we will call you back to set a time.
Legal
Privacy policy
How Essence of Childcare University handles information collected through this website.
What we collect
This website collects only the information you type into a form: your name, phone number, email address, your child's name and age, the schedule you need, and any message you send. We do not run advertising trackers on this site.
How we use it
Form submissions are used to answer your question, check classroom availability, schedule a tour or process an employment inquiry. We do not sell your information or share it with third parties for marketing.
Children's information
Child and family records held by the center are confidential and kept according to center policy and Wisconsin child care licensing requirements. No private child or family information is published on this website. Photographs of children appear only where ECU holds the appropriate parent or guardian permission for website and social media use.
Withdrawing permission
You can ask us to delete an inquiry you submitted, or to remove a photograph of your child, by calling or texting 1 (414) 791-8637.
Questions
Contact the center at 1 (414) 791-8637 or visit 5644 W. Appleton Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53210.