Our story and mission
Founded in 1995, Happy Family Daycare has been serving Mount Horeb families for more than two decades with compassionate, licensed home-based child care. Our roots are in family values—creating an environment where children feel safe, loved, and encouraged to explore.
What guides us
Our missioN
To nurture confident, curious, and kind children through individualized, family-centered care rooted in safety, learning, and strong parent partnerships. We strive to be an extension of each family’s home—promoting healthy development, fostering social skills, and preparing children for school and life.
For parents, accessible and trustworthy child care is essential to maintaining employment, pursuing education, and supporting family well-being. For children, it’s a place to form friendships, practice independence, and develop early skills under the guidance of nurturing adults. When childcare is consistent and high-quality, children arrive at kindergarten ready to learn and families feel secure.
Values that guide our work
Safety
Prioritizing health, supervision, and secure environments.
Respect
Honoring each child’s culture, family background, and individuality.
Play-based learning
Recognizing play as the primary vehicle for learning in early childhood.
Partnership
Building transparent, collaborative relationships with families.
Professionalism
Staying current with licensing requirements, early childhood best practices, and ongoing training.
Our team and qualifications
Our staff comprises experienced caregivers trained in early childhood development, health and safety, and age-appropriate practices. Because we are a licensed home daycare, our small team fosters strong relationships with every child and family. Key qualifications include:
- Ongoing professional development in child development theory and practice.
- Current First Aid and CPR certification.
- Training on safe sleep practices, nutrition, and positive behavior guidance.
- Background checks and mandated reporter training as required by state licensing.
History and community presence
Happy Family Daycare began in 1995 to address the need for reliable home-based child care in Mount Horeb. Over the years, we have grown in reputation for consistent care, strong family communication, and a home-like environment where children thrive. We maintain connections to local schools, pediatricians, and community organizations to support families holistically and ensure smooth transitions when children move to preschool or kindergarten.
Our approach to early learning
We believe children learn through meaningful play, exploration, and responsive relationships. Our daily schedule blends free play and teacher-guided activities that promote:
Social-emotional skills
Sharing, turn-taking, empathy, and emotion regulation.
Language and literacy
Stories, songs, conversational turn-taking, and vocabulary-rich interactions.
Cognitive skills
Problem-solving, early numeracy concepts, and scientific exploration.
Fine and gross motor development
Cutting, drawing, climbing, and running in safe spaces.
Self-care and independence
Practicing dressing, hygiene, and mealtime skills appropriate to age.
Programs and age groups
We provide safe, developmentally appropriate programs across age groups
Infant care (birth to ~12 months)
Emphasis on responsive feeding, safe sleep, and caregiver attunement to cues.
Toddler program (1–3 years)
Focus on mobility, early language, and routines that build independence.
Preschool readiness (3–5 years)
(608) 712-0488Pre-literacy, social problem solving, and play-based classroom experiences that support kindergarten readiness.
School-age care
Before and after school support focused on homework help, social activities, and safe transportation where needed.
Accreditation and licensing
We maintain our license as required by Wisconsin DHS for home-based daycare providers. Licensing assures families that we meet state standards for:
- Staff qualifications and background checks
- Health and safety measures
- Appropriate child-to-caregiver ratios
- Facility requirements and recordkeeping
Contact and next steps
If you’re seeking dependable, home-based childcare in Mount Horeb, call (608) 712-0488 to schedule a visit and request our enrollment packet. Visits give families a chance to see our routines, meet caregivers, and discuss your child’s specific needs.
