Gov. Evers Highlights Childcare Bridge Program While Touring a Childcare Facility in Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Governor Tony Evers visited Superior today, touring a childcare and education facility. It was all about highlighting Wisconsin’s new childcare bridge program, which Evers says is helping childcare providers across the state.

The new state funding for childcare providers is derived from an investment of over $360 million approved by the state legislature. This will help provide millions in direct payments to childcare providers all across Wisconsin from July 2025 through June 2026.

“It’s able to, like, give bonuses to our staff. Be able to do raises, be able to add like educational toys in the classroom, pretty much just help keep our doors open, operating,” said Amy Benson, owner of Newborn 2 School Education.

“We have more money for our childcare industry, and it’s $110 million direct money that goes into them, and overall, that’s not adequate, but it’s a step forward,” said Gov. Evers.

The first month of direct payments awarded across Wisconsin totaled $8.7 million, helping support providers, staff, and the care of over 100,000 children. Of that $8.7 million, $13,734 of it was awarded to a childcare and preschool known as Newborn 2 School Education, located in Superior.

“They’ve got staff that have been with them a long time, so I’m just really impressed,” said Gov. Evers.

On top of the $110 million going directly to childcare providers, there is a focus on the Get Kids Ready initiative, Wonderschool, child care resource and referral agencies,  subsidy program, and a pilot program.

“You’ve got to get to a place where families can get quality care at an affordable price and then have access to it, and that’s really what folks are trying to build out here,” said Jeff Pertl, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.

Superior is just one stop on the list of childcare facilities that Gov. Evers is visiting throughout Wisconsin.