08/02/2026
To Our North Fond du Lac Community,
We want to address some misinformation regarding Arts for Kids’ relationship with the North Fond du Lac School District.
For over 20 years, Arts for Kids proudly partnered with the district to provide its 4K program. During that time, all children enrolled in our 4K classrooms were officially North Fond du Lac School District students. We followed all Wisconsin Department of Children and Families DCF licensing requirements as well as Department of Public Instruction DPI standards for public 4K programs.
Community partnerships like ours are common across Wisconsin, allowing school districts to expand early childhood education through local child care providers. Over the years, we helped grow the district’s 4K program serving anywhere from 55-75, 4-year-old students annually. We valued our strong relationship with the district and took great pride in preparing children for kindergarten.
Last fall, we were informed the district was reviewing the future of its 4K program and our role within it. After several meetings, we were presented with a new contract that included significant changes, including new staff requirements and relocating our 4K classrooms to Friendship Learning Center.
After careful review, we determined these changes were not operationally or financially sustainable for Arts for Kids and made the difficult decision not to sign the contract.
We asked whether there were concerns about our program quality, instruction, or student readiness, and were told there were none. While we respect the district’s decision to move in a different direction, we want to be clear that we made every effort to continue the partnership.
Arts for Kids remains committed to serving North Fond du Lac and surrounding communities. We will continue providing high-quality child care and early learning for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children. Child care is an essential service that supports both child development and working families.
Although our 4K partnership with the district has ended, we are grateful for the many years of collaboration and the relationships built along the way. We look forward to continuing to support our community in new ways.
To every family who has trusted us with their children’s care and education, thank you. Your support means everything to us. We are proud to be part of the North Fond du Lac community and look forward to serving families for many years to come.
Sincerely,
Nerissa Bertram
Director, Arts for Kids
On behalf of the Arts for Kids Staff
