Services

Growing Tree Children’s Center
Transitional Living Program
Family Resource Center

Growing Tree Children’s Center

A Safe and Secure Place for Your Child

At The Growing Tree Children’s Center your child will discover friendships and sharing and most importantly a positive self concept. Developmental early childhood programs, trained staff, and an orientation to the individual child make The Growing Tree uniquely qualified to help support you as you raise your child.


The Growing Tree Children’s Center is a program of United Methodist Children’s Services of Wisconsin, Inc. The Center is licensed by the State of Wisconsin to serve children ages six weeks through twelve years of age and offers full and part-time childcare services.
United Methodist Children’s Services of WI, Inc. is a not-for-profit social service agency, which has developed and operated programs for children and families since 1962. The Growing Tree Children’s Center opened in August 1998.


Quality is important to The Growing Tree Children’s Center. Childcare providers are well trained and certified through the State of Wisconsin Registry. In addition, childcare providers participate in ongoing continuing education, in-service classes, as well as educational and training seminars. Classroom furnishings and equipment are of the highest quality, designed to meet the needs of all the children in our care. A well designed private outdoor playground insures children experience outdoor play to encourage gross motor development.

HOURS of OPERATION
Monday through Friday
6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

ENROLLMENT
Parents and /or guardians may enroll their children by coming to The Growing Tree Children’s Center and meeting with the Child Care Administrator / Director. An appointment is recommended to tour the facility. At enrollment each parent and /or guardian will receive a Handbook detailing the Center’s policies and requirements. To schedule an appointment call: (414) 344-1818.

MEALS
The Growing Tree Children’s Center participates in the Child and Adult Care Food Program. A well-balanced, nutritious breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack are served. All foods are prepared, cut and sliced to be age appropriate. Accommodations are made for food allergies and religious preferences.

EDUCATION
Children entering The Growing Tree children’s Center bring with them their own patterns of development, individual personalities, learning styles, and unique family experiences. The goal of the Growing Tree is to create a curriculum and a series of adult interactions with children that are responsive to these individual differences; and that challenge each child’s intellect and understanding while respecting his/her ability

TRANSPORTATION
The Growing Tree Children’s Center provides safe, insured transportation to and from home and schools at no additional cost.

FEES
The Growing Tree Children’s Center accepts Private Pay, Title XX
(W - 2), cash, money orders, and personal checks as payment for childcare fees. A childcare fee schedule will be provided to parents upon request.

Transitional Living Program

The Transitional Living Program is a community of up to 16 women living in the TLP apartment complex while they work on goals to change their life situation. To qualify for this program women must:

1) Be at least 18 years old
2) Live at or below 1 1/2 times the poverty level
3) Have one or more children who are all under the age of 12. Women must have legal custody of all children living with them in the Transitional Living Program
4) Have some source of income
5) Make continuing progress on the individualized goals
6) Contact United Methodist Children's Services to request placement in the Transitional Living Program (414)344-1818
7) Participate in at least three interviews with a UMCS social worker and/or the Executive Director to determine suitability for the program

The time from first requesting to participate to moving into a Transitional Living Program Apartment can take 6 months to 1 year. This is not a quick solution to an emergency housing need. It is a program that allows goal oriented single mothers to pursue education, job training or other long range goals while living in a stable, safe environment with access to social service programming.

Family Resource Center

The Family Resource Center is located on the Northeast corner of 39th Street and Lisbon Avenue. It includes an Emergency Food Pantry, Stockbox Program, and Clothing distribution.

Hours of operation are:

Emergency Food Pantry and Clothing--Monday, Wednesday and Friday from noon to 5 P.M.
Stockbox Program--The first four Tuesdays of the month from 9 A.M. to noon

To receive food from the Emergency Food Pantry you may walk in or make an appointment (414)344-1818. You may receive food once every 30 days. Please bring a photo ID and a piece of mail with your address on it for each adult every time you come to the food pantry. Bring a third party item with the child's name and birthdate on it for each child in your household. This could include a birthcertificate, immunization record or notice of decision. Once a child's information is in our records you will not need to continue bringing his or her items with you.

To participate in the Stockbox Program you must be an enrolled participant. We are not currently enrolling new participants. Senior Citizens, post-partem women or children in the first year after their WIC eligibility has expired may be eligible for this program. Call 211 to find out if you or someone in your family is eligible for the Stockbox program.

You can browse our clothing items anytime that the resource center is open. The clothing available changes frequently.