About Us - History & Mission

Welcome Letter | History & Mission | Hours of Operation | Admin & Staff | Board Members

The Felician Sisters were established as a religious order in 1855 in Warsaw, Poland. Their ministry consisted of service to the poor, orphaned, sick and elderly. In 1874, the Sisters accepted their first US ministry in Polonia, Wisconsin and expanded their services to Milwaukee in 1907.

The 1907 move to Milwaukee came at the invitation of a local priest who challenged them to build and staff an orphanage for the many children whose parents were either deceased, ill, or whose work made it necessary for childcare. The Sisters responded to the community’s request to build a facility and the home for children opened in 1908. From 1908 until 1968, the Sisters cared for thousands of Milwaukee’s children. Changes in the needs of families in the 1960s highlighted the need for daycare services for working families. In 1968, the Sisters applied for and received a license to operate a childcare facility—known as South Day Care Center of St. Joseph at the original site. From 1967-1973 the Sisters sponsored a residential treatment program for children ages 9-18.

Recognizing that the original site had served its useful purpose, the Archbishop of Milwaukee Diocese asked the Sisters to consider moving to the former St. Gerard’s parish as a new home for the Center. In 1999, the Center moved to Oklahoma and 16th Streets, the current location, added new construction to provide for infants and toddlers and changed the name to the Child Development Center of St. Joseph.

Having a tradition of providing quality services for their ministries the Sisters made the commitment to seek accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). In 2004, the Center received NAEYC Accreditation status—further ensuring parents that the programs offered at the Center would reflect the best practice in early childhood education.

To learn more about our sponsors, please visit the Felician Sisters Provincial website www.felicianschicago.org

Our Mission

The mission of the Child Development Center of St. Joseph is to develop the whole child while ministering to families in the community by responding to needs and promoting healthy family relationships.

What our children and their families have to say:

Daycare was very cool this summer.
-Evan, age 8

I just want to say thank you very much for making my daughter a very happy girl.
-Brenda’s Mom

I didn’t want to put my daughter in daycare at a young age but Alanah’s teacher is doing a great job. Thanks.
-Alanah’s Mom

I like coming here. We have fun. I really like my friends.
-Anonymous