ARTS FOR KIDS
Introduction to Arts for Kids
January of 1998 saw the advent of Arts for Kids Child Care Center. After months of planning and preparation, the first truly speciality child care center located in Oshkosh enrolled its initial children. Utilizing approximatley 6,000 square feet at its current location, the center was first licensed for 80 children. Arts for Kids Child Center evolved from the vision Beth Caramanidis and Rick Mueller had to combine quality child care with the arts and offer children an introduction to music, dance, drama and studio arts. Since then, Arts for Kids has offered Spanish, American Sign Language, Environmental Science and a fitness program as part of the curriculum.
Since 1998, the child care program at the City Center site in Oshkosh has expanded twice to its current 10,000 square feet. The center's license increased to 120 children. This expansive area includes space for infants, a four year old kindergarten program as well as a fully equipped art studio. During the summer months additional space is leased adjacent to the center to provide for summer school age program.
In June of 2005, Arts for Kids opened a second child care center, located in the Early Learning Center in North Fond du Lac. Located on the campus of the North Fond du Lac School District, the setting provided a perfect venue to offer parents a before and after school age program, along with traditional child care service. That fall, the North Fond du Lac center was an initial site for North Fond du Lac's four year old kindergarten program. This second site provides, with some variations, the same arts speciality programs the Oshkosh center does.
Beth and Rick continue to take pride in the fact that Arts for Kids is a local, family owned and operated business. Numerous Arts for Kids employees have been with the business since its onset. Arts for Kids, with the assistance of its valuable employees, will continue to evolve and provide excellent child care services along with an introduction to a diverse specialty program.
Our Classes
Click on any of our programs below to find out more information on each one.
Infant Programming (6 Weeks - 1-Year)
Preschool (3-Year Old) Programming
Music & Sign Language with Ms. Julie
Arts July 2026 News!
Thank you to everyone who supported the book fair!!
July 22, 2026
Hi Parents,
I know many have reached out with concerns, so I just wanted to follow-up regarding the City’s possible purchase of the City Center and what that means for Arts for Kids.
Currently the City is in the process of due-diligence. This means they are checking out everything within the City Center such as building structures, environmental testing, lease agreements with tenants and so forth. If all checks out the City is planning on purchasing the City Center sometime in September.
We did meet with staff from the City and they did state that if the City does purchase that they have no plans to do anything with City Center until the rebuilding of the Jackson Street bridge in 2028. The bridge will be reconstructed so it is taller and does not need to open to allow large boats to cross. This is due to Froedtert Hospital being built and ambulances needed to cross the bridge.
The City did assure us that they do not want to lose a childcare center and understand that childcare is a necessity to keep the workforce in Oshkosh. When plans are finalized and the City decides to do whatever it is with the City Center, the City did state they will help us as needed to relocate or build.
Arts for Kids has no plans of shutting our doors. We plan on being here for a long time yet, whether it is at our current location or a new location – we’re not going anywhere. As I’ve told many families, my plan is to retire from Arts for Kids and that is not for at least 20 years!
I will keep you up to date as we continue to learn more of the plans for the City Center. In the meantime, you can also check out the City’s project page here: https://www.oshkoshwi.gov/CityCenterProject/
Sincerely,
Carrie Binder
Director
Breastfeeding Welcome Here
Arts For Kids is proud and honored to have become the first certified Breastfeeding Friendly Daycare in Winnebago County! We look forward to others joining us in promoting and welcoming breastfeeding in their centers and community.
Staff Birthdays:
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Ari R 7/7
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McKenzie R 7/10
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Tina H 7/19
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Larry N 7/22
Staff Anniversaries:
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Partners with Growing Oshkosh
Growing Oshkosh(GO) is a non-profit urban farm in Oshkosh that is dedicated to raising awareness and educating citizens about the numerous benefits of fresh, healthy, local, and fair food (and food production). We committed to helping all organizations where children are present install gardens as part of our mission to spread food across Oshkosh. Arts for Kids and GO began partnering in 2015, and there is a large raised bed with edibles and a smaller raised bed of native perennials at Arts for Kids facility. Students learn about how plants grow, are encouraged to try new foods, and explore the importance of pollinators and flowers in food production using these gardens.
