09/13/2025
9/12/25
Dear Red Bud Families,
I am struggling to find the words to put in this letter, as it is the hardest one, I have ever had to write. It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the closing of Red Bud Daycare after over 23 years of serving families in the Columbus Area. Our last day will be Friday, October 10th.
We have been blessed with caring for so many young children over these years. Giving them a positive, nurturing, educational environment to grow in. Thank you for trusting us to be your partners in providing your children with an amazing start in life.
I want to say thank you to my dedicated team of teachers that have stuck by me through this chapter. You are what made the center like a second home to all the families we served. Several of you were here the first day I walked through the door as the new owner back in 2002 so it only feels right that we will walk out of here together on our last day.
I understand securing and affording childcare has become a challenge in the last few years and that is why I kept going as long as I did. Unfortunately, the struggle to balance quality care, affordability and respectable wages has become impossible. After using several grants and programs for assistance over the years to keep us afloat I am out of options.
Sadly, we are not alone in closing our doors. Over the past decade, over 4,000 childcare programs across Wisconsin have closed their doors, and there will continue to be more if nothing changes.
Thank you to the hundreds of families that were part of our story,
Wendy Watrud
