About Us

staff on floor At Doorway to Learning, we believe that every child deserves a strong foundation for future success. As a nonprofit childcare organization, we are dedicated to providing high-quality, child-centered care in a safe and nurturing environment. Through developmentally appropriate play and learning activities, we foster creativity, independence, and empathy in the children we serve.

Doorway to Learning was created by merging Children First and Door Community (DoCo) Child Development Center, bringing together resources and expertise to ensure long-term sustainability for childcare in Door County.

We currently operate two locations in Sturgeon Bay:

  • Gary & Marti Ziegelbauer Campus – 5617 Gordon Road – Serving 146 children year-round
  • Egg Harbor Road Campus – 1743 Egg Harbor Road – Home to our school-age programs, including Summer Camp for 60 children


Our families come from diverse backgrounds, but they all share a common need—reliable, high-quality childcare that allows them to maintain employment, achieve financial stability, and provide the best opportunities for their children. As a licensed group childcare provider through the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, we accept WI Shares subsidies, as well as administer an internal tuition scholarship program.

At the heart of our mission is our dedicated team of teachers who go above and beyond to make every child feel loved, secure, and excited to learn. The first five years of life are crucial for development, and we are committed to helping children gain essential physical, social, and cognitive skills that will set them up for lifelong success.

Together, with the support of our community, we are growing the future— one child at a time.

YoungStar
We’re licensed by the Department of Children & Family and working toward the highest credentialed rating of a 5-star YoungStar by mid-2025. This rating assesses classroom materials, teacher engagement, and program quality through detailed checklists and classroom observations.