The UW-Eau Claire Children’s Nature Academy (CNA), is a five-star (Youngstar) nature based early learning program, licensed by the state of Wisconsin. The program provides care and learning to children ages six weeks through age ten, on the University's beautiful 112-acre Priory Campus.  Priority enrollment is given to UWEC students.  However, all families from the UWEC and surrounding community are welcome.  The center operates from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and some evening care upon request. The CNA offers flexible scheduling and special student discounted rates. The CNA also works with the Eau Claire Area School District to offer four-year-old kindergarten (EC4T) and AmeriCorps to offer ECLIPSE, a literacy and social skills program for preschool age (3-5) children. Please contact the Director at 715-836-2178 or children@uwec.edu for more information on enrollment. Online interest forms are also available on the website.

In 2023 the program received a grant from the Department of Education to support student parents.  The Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) helps Pell-eligible student parents overcome barriers so that they can be successful in their education endeavors.  CCAMPIS funds cover 50 - 90 percent of childcare user fees for these Pell-Eligible students so that their children receive high-quality care for an affordable cost.