Children's Center
UnityPoint Health - Meriter Hospital
Our Mission & Values
Our mission is to nurture, inspire, support and educate through play.
The Children's Center upholds the UnityPoint Health - Meriter values of excellence as a way of life, people being our most important resource, and a commitment of service to others. Our teachers work as a team to provide an environment in which parents, children, volunteers and staff can grow and develop together.
Our Learning Environment
We offer a caring and safe learning environment that supports each child in growing and learning to their full potential - emotionally, physically, cognitively and socially.We teach the skills that model the respect that fosters a sense of belonging in our community of classrooms. Our teacher-to-child ratios enhance relationships and support the development of strong social and language skills.
Programs Offered
Infant Program
In our Infant programs we focus on the total child, and we make ourselves totally available to meet each child's individual needs.
Toddler Program
In our Toddler programs and in celebration of children, we honor the importance of play during these early learning years of a child's life.
Young Preschool Program
Young Preschool is full of adventure! Children will be introduced to new experiences, including art and music, small and large motor activities, and key skills for gaining new independence. In addition, communication and problem-solving skills will be emerging as they grow. We look forward to building stronger relationships with your children and you.
Preschool Program
The Badger Sett is a mixed aged classroom with children ranging in age from 3 to 5 years old. In celebration of children, we honor the importance of play during these early learning years of a child's life.
Enrollment & State Forms
Meet our Staff
Our staff at UnityPoint Health - Meriter - Children's Center offers a caring and safe learning environment that supports each child in growing and learning to their full potential - emotionally, physically, cognitively and socially.
Rachel Weber
Children's Center Manager
Rachel has been with Meriter Children's Center since August 2017. She has been in the ECE field since 1998, she has her B.S. in Early Childhood Leadership. Rachel has held many roles in the field from infant teacher, preschool teacher to Director and Regional Manager. Supporting child, family and teacher is why she choose this field. She enjoys being a part a child's life and their family. Watching both a teacher and child have an "ah-ha" moment, tells her she is in the right place!!! Rachel, the mother of two, Liv and Ella, moved here from Illinois in 2017, they fill weekends with activities to enjoy Wisconsin and all it has to offer. When she gets time to herself, she enjoys reading, crafting and spending time with friends.
Traci Adams
Program Supervisor
Traci brings over 25 years of experience in education to Meriter Children's Center. She joined the MCC team in June 2012. Her background spans curriculum development, environments, teacher education, and supporting the social emotional development of each child. Traci obtained her BS in Social Work and went on to gain a UW certificate in Infant, Early childhood, and Family mental health. She believes that every child deserves an enriching and engaging environment that supports them as an individual learner. Traci is a mom of two girls herself and lives with her husband in the DeForest area where they enjoy traveling, the outdoors, and time with family and friends.
Alice Rome
Teacher
Alice has been working with kids for many years and loves working with infants and toddlers. She has been a nanny and has worked in various schools in MMSD. She started with Meriter Children's Center in October 2021. She graduated in 2023 from UW Madison with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education. She is so happy to be part of the lives of infants and toddlers, and to watch and encourage their growth and development. She is from Los Angeles, California, where her family still lives. In her free time, Alice loves to cook, bake, and read a good book (or comic book).
Ann McDermott
Creative Arts Specialist
Ann is a music and art educator, community builder and long-time Madisonian with over 30 years experience developing and teaching integrated arts programming for preschoolers, school-aged children, teens, and adults. She holds a BS in Art Education from UW Madison and a piano pedagogy certification from Edgewood College. Ann has been the owner and manager of Ann McDermott Piano Studios for over 30 years, teaching piano lessons to all ages. In addition, she is the co-founding director of the Monroe Street Arts Center where she served as Artistic Director for several years. For 10 years, Ann served as choral director of the Children's Training Choir at Luther Memorial Church and she served as a Music Specialist at Preschool of the Arts for 8 years. In addition, Ann is the incoming Director of Children's Music Ministry at Midvale Community Lutheran Church.
Anne Gerl
Teacher
Anne has been with Meriter Children's Center for 16 years. She has a B.S. in Early Childhood Education. Anne has experience teaching all age levels but can be found working full-time with our Chipmunks. Anne is the mom to three children, Jordan, Kelsey and Max, a grandma to a sweet baby boy, Liam.
Aurora Miranda
Teacher
Has been working in the childcare field since 2001. She is from Mexico but has lived in Madison for about 20 years. She is married, and has two children: one 16 year old boy, and one 10 year old girl. She likes to spend her time with family listening to music, watching family movies, enjoying nature, and making crafts with my daughter.
She has an apprenticeship and ECE in early childhood. She loves to work with children, and feels rewarded to watch them grow and learn. She is very happy to be a part of this center and taking care of your wonderful children.
She has an apprenticeship and ECE in early childhood. She loves to work with children, and feels rewarded to watch them grow and learn. She is very happy to be a part of this center and taking care of your wonderful children.
Becky Opheim
Teacher
Becky has a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology from Carroll University. Becky is coming to us from the East YMCA where she spent 2 years as a 4K assistant and 2 years as a lead teacher in the 2 year old classroom. Becky enjoys spending time with family and friends, swimming, going to packer games and going on walks with her dog, Brownie.
Brittany Driscoll
Resource Teacher
Brittany earned her B.S. in Child Life with a concentration in psychology at Edgewood College. Brittany has worked as a Certified Child Life Specialist within the UPH system for the past 3 years, serving pediatric patients and their families throughout the entire hospital. Brittany recently joined Meriter Children’s Center in February 2022. She loves the sunshine and spending time outside and on the water. Brittany also enjoys spending time with her family & friends, dancing, traveling, cooking and engaging in self expressive activities such as yoga or art.
Christina Opheim
Teacher
Christina has her B.S. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Edgewood College. She has been teaching for 11 years! In her free time, she enjoys reading, coffee, watching movies and spending time with her pets; Spaz (cat), Luther (horse) and Brownie (Ms. Becky’s dog). Christina is also Ms. Becky’s older sister!
Diane Helt
Resource Teacher
Diane has been working over 30 years in the early childhood field. She has been at Meriter Children's Center since its first day! Diane studied early childhood care and education at Madison College. Diane lives on a working farm with her husband and 19-year-old daughter, Sydney. Diane works part-time as a resource teacher supporting primarily our infant and toddler classrooms.
Dianna Rego
Teacher
Dianna has been working in the childcare field for over 30 years, and joined MCC in July 2023. She has experience working with all ages; however, has found her niche with infants and young toddlers. She is passionate about giving all children a safe, inclusive environment where they can feel confident exploring the world around them.
Dianna and her husband Bill have lived in Madison since 1989 and have 2 (adult) children , Mia and William, and 2 wonderful grandchildren, Ares and Isabella.
She loves spending time with her family and exploring nature and music.
Dianna and her husband Bill have lived in Madison since 1989 and have 2 (adult) children , Mia and William, and 2 wonderful grandchildren, Ares and Isabella.
She loves spending time with her family and exploring nature and music.
Elizabeth Hessler
Teacher
Elizabeth has been working in childcare since 2016 and started with Meriter Children’s Center in 2020. She graduated from Madison College with an AAS in Early Childhood Education and is working towards a BS in Early Childhood Education at UW-Whitewater. She has worked with children of all ages but, Elizabeth most enjoys encouraging the progress infants and toddlers make in language, motion, and social-emotional development. She appreciates good books and exploring nature and delights in sharing those passions with young children.
Holly Clemens
Teacher
Holly has been a teacher at Meriter Children’s Center for over 20 years and has an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. She has been an infant/toddler teacher as well as a teacher in the preschool program. Holly and her husband Barry, have three boys- Ridge, Crew, and Kylar. Some of her interests include playing softball, going on walks and bike rides with her family, and attending her sons’ sporting events.
Holly Craig
Teacher
Holly has been at Meriter Children’s Center since 2006. She has a bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Studies from UW Madison. She has worked with of all ages for the last 30 years. She taught Kindergarten, was a substitute in the public schools, as well as, ran an in-home child care program. She has a husband, and one daughter who now lives in Florida, and attends graduate school. In her free time she enjoys reading, art, music, and spending time with friends, and her pug, Vader.
Julie Trieloff
Teacher
Julie began working at Unity Point Health Meriter in 2006. She graduated from UW Whitewater in 2009 with a degree in Early Childhood Regular and Special Education. She has spent the last five years serving as a resource teacher for the center so she has experience with children ranging from three months to five years old. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her husband and children.
Kelsey Springsguth
Teacher
Kelsey has an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and has worked in early childhood education for almost seven years. She has been working at Meriter Children’s Center since May of 2018 and is passionate about working with the youngest members of our community. She lives in Madison with her two cats and partner. She enjoys reading and knitting in her free time.
Khadija Boudribila
Teacher
Khadija has earned her Degree in Business Administration at Stratford University, and the last years while she worked as a teacher, she continued her education in early childhood education. Khadija joined Meriter Children’s Center in November 2019. She is the mother of two beautiful girls and a boy. And likes playing volleyball, and spending time with friends and family.
Lori Peters
Kitchen Coordinator
Lori has been with Meriter Children's Center since 2004. Each day she prepares two healthy meals and a snack for 80 children and almost 30 staff. She ensures that our meals are safe for our little one's with food allergies and comes up with new and delicious menu items when the season changes. Lori also supports our classrooms as a resource teacher, you can see her covering breaks and the end of the day. Lori lives in Marshall with her two children, Cora and Grant. She spends a lot of time watching her children play soccer and basketball. In her free time, Lori can be found camping or hanging out with her family at the lake.
Mari Chalfant
Resource Teacher
Mari joined MCC in the winter of 2023. She has worked in the early care and education field for 22 years. She has her Bachelor’s Degree in social work. During her free time, Mari enjoys hiking and walking. Mari is a resource teacher, she enjoys working with children of all ages.
Mari Lin Van Haveren
Teacher
Mari Lin joined Meriter Children’s Center in the fall of 2019. She has many years of experience in the field of early care and education; including work as a Special Ed teacher and childcare director. She has her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, and is DPI certified in the State of Wisconsin. Mari Lin enjoys scrapbooking, reading and walking her three dogs. Mari Lin and her husband live in DeForest, with their three sons.
Melinda Felker
Teacher
Melinda has been in the childcare field for the past 19 years and has been with Meriter Children's Center since October of 2005. She is the mother of two Eli, and Emma! Melinda is very excited to be using the Continuity of Care Model and watching the children grow and learn new things.
Natalie Hanson
Teacher
Natalie has been working in early childhood and K12 education since 2016. She began working at MCC in 2017 as a resource teacher while pursuing her bachelor’s in Early Childhood Regular and Special Education through Edgewood College. After graduating, Natalie taught first grade and is now excited to be back in early childhood working with families to provide compassionate care and rich early learning experiences. Natalie has 2 rescue pets and a passion for adventure and travel. In her spare time, you can find her frequenting local coffee shops and county parks.
Rachel Haney
Resource Teacher
Rachel has been with Meriter Children’s Center for 7 years. She has been a working in the Chipmunk room for the last several years. She has been in the childcare field for 15 years. Rachel and her husband have two children and live in Edgerton. They enjoy camping and outdoor activities. Rachel will be working various hours throughout the week.
Rhonda Wright
Teacher
Rhonda has over 27 years in the early childhood field. She has worked with children of all ages but has specialized in infant and toddler care. She joined MCC in October of 1995. Rhonda earned an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from MATC in 1991 and has kept current by taking numerous classes and trainings over the years. Rhonda brings a personal understanding to the classroom, having four children and three grandchildren of her own.
Terri Griepentrog
Teacher
Terri has been with Meriter Children’s Center since 2004. She has also been a lead childcare teacher for 30 years. She currently has her CDA, and her Inf/Toddler credential from Madison College. She has experience teaching all age levels but enjoys working with the infants and toddlers. Terri supports all of our classrooms at MCC, as a resource teacher, and is currently supporting our Chipmunk team.
Vicki Stahl-Lambrecht
Teacher
Vicki has a B.S. in Elementary Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Care and Education. She has worked at Meriter Children’s Center since 2004. She has over 25 years of experience working with children of all ages. She loves to travel, and spend time with her husband, Randy, and daughter, Lilly. Vicki has worked as a Badger teacher, and most recently as a resource teacher. She is excited to join the Badger team.
Children's Center Information
Children's Center
Department Information
For Enrollment and Tour Information, Please Contact: (608) 417-5258Address
Open Hours
- Monday: 6:30 AM - 6:00 PM
- Tuesday: 6:30 AM - 6:00 PM
- Wednesday: 6:30 AM - 6:00 PM
- Thursday: 6:30 AM - 6:00 PM
- Friday: 6:30 AM - 6:00 PM
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed