Programs & Services

Children

Inclusive child care is offered at Tyler’s Home for Kids facility.  The licensed group center is a hand’s on learning program specializing in children with or without disabilities.  The program operates Monday through Friday from 6am-6pm.  The trained, nurturing staff offer many opportunities for each child’s growth and development with age-appropriate and individualized programming.

Early Learning Center

Our early learning center is for ages 1 week through 12 years and is fully licensed by the State of Wisconsin.

Services include:

  • Infant and Toddler Programming
  • Preschool Programming
  • Before and After School Care
  • School Age Summer Program
  • Open year-round,  Monday-Friday, 6am-6pm
  • Full Time, Part Time, and Drop-In Scheduling

Owned and operated by Opportunity Inc. in Tyler’s Home for Kids facility

Our Learning Environment

Research shows that more learning takes place during the first five years than any other period in life. Our “hands-on” curriculum offers a wide variety of activities to captivate, stimulate, and educate all children regardless of: their age, individual interests and abilities, or physical development. The daily schedule is tailored, based on the ages and stages of the children enrolled.  Children experience a balance of: quiet and active periods, individual and group activities, as well as indoor and outdoor play. Through play (a child’s “work”), we are able to enhance children’s cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development- all factors that are essential to your child’s future educational and social success.

Our Staff

Our staff brings a wealth of education, experience, and compassion to our program.  It takes a special person to work at “Kids Unlimited Early Learning Center”. We select staff that are not only fun and nurturing, but have a strong educational background. Prior to employment references are checked carefully and staff undergo an extensive background check and drug screening. Our staff not only meets the requirements outlined by the State of Wisconsin, they exceed the training requirements. Staff at Kids Unlimited receives training in health, disabilities, safety, nutrition, behavior guidance, fire safety, shaken baby, first aid, SIDS and CPR. All our staff participates in ongoing training. This continuing education helps our teachers stay current with the latest developments in childcare theory and practice.

Our Facility

Our home-like center is able to meet the educational needs of each child while offering the comfort and friendliness of being at home.  Throughout the facility you will find age appropriate toys and materials.  Our child sized equipment promotes the child’s comfort and ease within the classroom.  Our facility features a wonderful and spacious enclosed playground offering sand, grass, and a garden as well as a state-of-the-art climbing structure.  Our on-site kitchen provides “home-cooked” meals. As part of the state food program, our meals are monitored for quality and nutrition.  Our dinning room provides for a relaxing family-style setting.  We know how important it is for parents to know that their child(ren) will be safe while in our care.  A security beeper system is installed on the doors of the home, allowing staff to know immediately when anyone enters or exits the facility.  Although we offer an open door policy to the parents of our program, others will not be allowed to access the facility without a staff escort.  Located on Wausau’s east side, our facility is close to the downtown area, and near a city bus stop.

Eligibility

Any child with or without disabilities, ages one week through 12 years. Completion of enrollment papers required prior to stay.

Fees for Services

Please contact us for current rates.

Contact Us

Please contact Tyler’s Home for Kids with any questions about our early learning services.

Phone: (715) 847-1175

Respite Care

Tyler’s Home offers respite services 24 hours a day/seven days a week. The Home is a fun, safe, state-licensed environment for children with disabilities or special medical needs. Children staying at Tyler’s Home experience the “home away from home” setting, themed weekend activities, and trained, nurturing staff; while building meaningful relationships with other children. Each child’s stay is individualized to meet his/her needs.

Our Facility

Our home-like center is able to meet the educational needs of each child while offering the comfort and friendliness of being at home.  Throughout the facility you will find age appropriate toys and materials.  Our child sized equipment promotes the child’s comfort and ease within the classroom.  Our facility features a wonderful and spacious enclosed playground offering sand, grass, and a garden as well as a state-of-the-art climbing structure.  Our on-site kitchen provides “home-cooked” meals. As part of the state food program, our meals are monitored for quality and nutrition.  Our dinning room provides for a relaxing family-style setting.  We know how important it is for parents to know that their child(ren) will be safe while in our care.  A security beeper system is installed on the doors of the home, allowing staff to know immediately when anyone enters or exits the facility.  Although we offer an open door policy to the parents of our program, others will not be allowed to access the facility without a staff escort.  Located on Wausau’s east side, our facility is close to the downtown area, and near a city bus stop.

Our Staff

Our staff brings a wealth of education, experience, and compassion to our program.  It takes a special person to work at “Kids Unlimited Early Learning Center”. We select staff that are not only fun and nurturing, but have a strong educational background. Prior to employment references are checked carefully and staff undergo an extensive background check and drug screening. Our staff not only meets the requirements outlined by the State of Wisconsin, they exceed the training requirements. Staff at Kids Unlimited receives training in health, disabilities, safety, nutrition, behavior guidance, fire safety, shaken baby, first aid, SIDS and CPR. All our staff participates in ongoing training. This continuing education helps our teachers stay current with the latest developments in childcare theory and practice.

Respite Care

Respite is sometimes a term people are not familiar with, but it is the number one supportive service for families that have a child with disabilities. It is defined as a “much needed break” from the daily cares and demands of raising a child with special needs. Having a child with a disability can be physically, emotionally, and financially draining on the entire family, but especially the caregivers. Because it is difficult to find anyone qualified or willing to care for their child, these caregivers start to feel isolated and overwhelmed. Respite is designed to give families a chance to relax and re-energize. They are able to spend valuable time alone or with other family members. Many studies over the past 10-15 have found that regular respite decreases stress and depression in the caregiver and it lessons the chance that the child will become abused or neglected. Over 11 years ago Opportunity Inc. developed Tyler’s Home for Kids with the support of a local couple, Liz and George McKinnon. Having a child of their own with a disability, it was always their dream to have a respite home in their community. Their vision became a reality in 2000 through the efforts of many community volunteers, businesses and agencies when Tyler’s Home became fully licensed to provide respite to children one week thru 17 yrs. Over the past 11 yrs., the program has served nearly 400 children with various disabilities such as Down Syndrome, Autism, ADHD, Cognitive Delays, Spina Bifida and Cerebral Palsy… these are just a few. We also train our staff to care for children with various special medical needs such as tube feedings, diabetes, injectable medications and seizure first aid. Our wheelchair assessable facility is a home away from home with a computer lab, large enclosed playground, newly renovated great room and four themed bedrooms. During their stay children not only get their individual personal needs met by trained staff, they have the opportunity to meet new friends, experience community outings, and take part in themed weekends encompassing games, activities and community outings. Another service offered at Tyler’s Home is Kids Unlimited Early Learning Center…. Our Inclusive Child Care program. The Child Care was started in 2001 and over the years has grown to serve 33 children with or without disabilities. Inclusive means that all children with or without a disability are included in the program~ learning from one another and growing together. Our hands-on learning environment is staffed with specially trained early childhood educators. The child care program serves children one week through 12 years and is open Monday through Friday 6a-6p. Our program has been noted as “Wausau’s best kept secret” by faculty of the NTC Early Childhood Department. Because Tyler’s Home /Opportunity Inc. is a non-profit agency, it often times becomes difficult to keep up with costs of home maintenance or updating the program’s supplies and equipment as needed… not only to meet the needs of the children, but to also to continue meeting all the licensing requirements. Over the years, the community has continued to be very supportive of our programs. Thank you for your support.

Eligibility

Children with any disability or special medical need, age one week through 17 years. Completion of the Child Assessment summary packet required prior to stay.

Fees for Services

$14.00 hour/ $150.00 full day.

Contact Us

Please contact Tyler’s Home for Kids with any questions about our respite services.

Phone: (715) 847-1175

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If you are interested in one of our programs or services, please call or message us; we would be happy to assist you in any way we can. We have locations in Wausau, Weston & Wisconsin Rapids. 

Address

388 River Drive, Wausau, WI 54403

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