United Way of Door County’s Molly Gary says area child care providers could benefit from a state program announced last week by Gov. Tony Evers. The Get Kids Ready program will provide $65 million in direct payments to child care providers offering school readiness programming to 4-year-olds during the 2026-27 school year and in subsequent years.

Supported by a more than $360 million investment included in the 2025-27 biennial budget, the initiative is the state’s first entirely state-funded child care program. It addresses a concern highlighted in a 2025 survey showing 90% of Wisconsinites — including those without children — say finding affordable, high-quality child care in Wisconsin is a problem.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, qualified child care providers will focus on developing the academic, physical, social-emotional and self-help skills children need to succeed in school. The state will pay providers for the time children spend in Get Kids Ready programming, making that portion of the day free for families.

Gary says 4K is where child care centers such as Northern Door Children’s Center in Sister Bay make a large portion of their revenue due to the lower teacher-to-student ratio compared to younger age groups. She believes the guaranteed income for child care centers will be essential.

A list of child care providers intending to participate in Get Kids Ready will be posted on the Department of Children and Families’ public website by Feb. 15. The program comes as the Child Care Bridge Payment Program, which provides $110 million in direct payments to providers, sunsets in June.