VAS Early Learning Center

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The VAS Early Learning Center is a year-round, full-service, childcare program that is licensed for children 6 weeks to 11 years of age.  The center, located at 601 Arena Dr., is part of the Viroqua Area Schools and incorporates the beliefs and values of the Viroqua Area School system.

Research shows that children learn best through play and the VAS Early Learning Center strives to provide children with the opportunity to make choices and decisions about play throughout their day. The VAS Early Learning Center will use a flexible schedule to help your child have a good day. A child will be able to experience group and individual activities, creative expressions, active and quiet times, outdoor play and intellectual stimulation throughout the day. The VAS Early Learning Center provides high quality care for the children and families we serve while continuously striving to promote diversity and inclusion. 

In response to our community’s vast need for childcare, the Viroqua Area Schools administration and school board found an opportunity to help address this need by converting an existing building into an early learning center (ELC). We were able to purchase a former assisted living building by using district funds, one-time federal assistance and available State grants. 

The District partnered with HSR Architects and Miron Construction on the design and construction of the Early Learning Center. The team got to work in May, 2022 and worked through the design process with the director of the new ELC, Sharon Engh, and staff input.  The ELC opened on March 27, 2023.