As universal public 4-year-old kindergarten (4K) continues to expand across the state, many are not aware that 4K has a history going back over 160 years. The first kindergarten in the United States was founded in Watertown, Wisconsin in 1856, shortly after the first “kindergarten” was opened in Germany in 1837 by Friedrich Fröebel. Read more.
Wisconsin’s Affordability Crisis & Racial Inequities Hurt Kids & Families
June 8, 2026 Contact: Emily Miota, 262-853-6863, [email protected] New Rankings and Data Tell the Story of Which Wisconsin Kids are Too Far from Opportunity Madison, WI — The affordability crisis isn’t the only thing holding Wisconsin families back; racial...



