First-Time Parent Membership Program Frequently Asked Questions

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General Information
Enrollment
Eligibility
Benefits
Current Museum Members

What is the First-Time Parent Membership? Is it really free?

Yes, this membership is free!

The First-Time Parent Membership is a membership program for all new parents in Wisconsin. Each membership includes two named adults and their first child. The membership is valid through the child’s first 18 months of life, and includes free general admission to the museum for all members, access to Member Mornings and other exclusive member programming, and a 10% discount on registered programs, birthday parties, and museum merchandise. The First-Time Parent Membership is completely free.

Why is this membership free?

We know that young children benefit from play at Madison Children’s Museum, and we feel it is important to share our resources with first-time parents. We are offering this membership to help new parents with the resources that are available to them and their families. We hope that by connecting new parents with our educational programs, as well as to our growing community of families, we will provide valuable support to them as they encourage the healthy development of their babies.

When does the membership expire?

First-Time Parent Memberships expire at the end of the month in which the qualifying child turns 18 months old. (For example, if your child turns 18 months old in October 2018, your membership would expire on October 31, 2018.)

What happens when my first child turns 18 months?

At the end of your membership, you will have the option to enroll in one of our other membership programs. We offer a range of paid membership options, including reduced-price Family Access Memberships, starting at $15 per year.

If you have questions about your specific situation, please contact the membership manager.

What is the difference between the First-Time Parent Membership (free) and the Family Membership (paid)?

Our First-Time Parent Membership covers two adults and their qualifying infant(s) and includes free general admission, access to Member Mornings and member programming, and a 10% discount on museum merchandise and pre-registered programs. The Family Membership includes all of these benefits for up to four members (including children and adults), plus reciprocal benefits at institutions in the ASTC and ACM museum networks, and 4 guest passes per year. For more information on all of our membership levels, visit our benefits and levels page.

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Enrollment Process

How do I sign up?

Visit our First-Time Parent registration page to sign up online, or visit the museum to sign up in person at the front desk.

My child is not born yet; can I sign up early?

First thing’s first — congratulations! We’re so happy for you, and we look forward to seeing you and your baby at the museum. Please wait until after your child is born to register; your child’s date of birth determines the expiration date of your membership, and is required to register.

Can I add grandparents or other family members to this membership?

The First-Time Parent Membership includes two named adults. It is our policy that anyone who helps you care for your child can be named as an adult on your membership; named adults do not have to be parents or primary guardians.

If you have additional friends or family whom you would like to bring to the museum, but who are not named on your membership, they can purchase a paid membership, or they can purchase admission at the front desk; members get 10% off the price of general admission for their guests.

If you have questions about your specific situation, please contact the membership manager.

Can I gift a First-Time Parent Membership to someone else?

The First-Time Parent Membership is not available for gifting, but we encourage you to share the registration form with qualifying new or expectant parents, so that they can register for their own membership.

Other gift options include gift cards and Gift Memberships. Gift cards are available for purchase on our website, and can be used for admission, memberships, birthday parties, the museum gift shop, and more. Please see our Gift Membership page for more information about gifting a full-price membership.

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Eligibility

Can I register if my child is not yet born?

First thing’s first — congratulations! We’re so happy for you, and we look forward to seeing you and your baby at the museum. We do need for you to wait to register until your child is born, as we cannot process memberships without birth dates.

We just became new parents of twins/triplets/quadruplets; are we eligible for the First-Time Parent Membership?

The First-Time Parent Membership covers two adult members and one child under 18 months, or multiple children under 18 months if the children are the same age; parents of multiples are welcome to sign up. Simply list all of the infants’ names on line three of the registration form.

Do I qualify if I have multiple children, and all of them are under 18 months of age?

The First-Time Parent Membership covers two adult members and one child under 18 months, or multiple children under 18 months if the children are the same age. If you have more than one child under 18 months, but they are not the same age, only the eldest child would be covered by the First Time Parent Membership, and younger children would not receive member benefits. Children under 1 year of age always receive free general admission to Madison Children’s Museum.

For families with more than one child, we recommend either a supplemental Dual Membership ($100), or a Family Membership ($135.) We also offer subsidized Family Access Memberships to families enrolled in qualifying assistance programs.

We are a blended family that includes a first child under 18 months of age, but there are other children in our family; do we qualify for this membership?

The First-Time Parent Membership is intended for first-time parents, and covers the first 18 months of their first child’s life; it is limited to just two adults and one infant for a single period of up to 18 months. Due to these conditions, your family may not be eligible for the First-Time Parent Membership, or some of the children in your household may not be covered.

We offer a range of other membership options, including reduced-price Family Access Memberships. All of the educational programs associated with the First-Time Parent Membership are also available to any museum attendee, so all members are welcome to participate.

If you have questions about your specific situation, please contact the membership manager.

I’m a first-time parent of an adopted child over 18 months, do I qualify?

Unfortunately no, parents of children over 18 months of age do not qualify for this membership. While parents with children older than 18 months old do not qualify for this specific membership, we would love to have more information on how we can develop a similar program for adoptive families in the future. If you are open to being contacted about such a program at a future date, please email our membership manager to express your interest.

We offer a range of other membership options, including reduced-price Family Access Memberships. If you have questions about your specific situation, please contact the membership manager.

I’m a foster parent of a child over the age of 18 months, but I just gave birth for the first time; do I qualify for the First-Time Parent Membership?

The First-Time Parent Membership is intended for first-time parents, and covers the first 18 months of their first child’s life; it is limited to just two adults and one infant for a single period of up to 18 months. Due to these conditions, some of the children in your household may not be covered by the First-Time Parent Membership.

However, all foster families qualify for the Family Access Membership, which starts at just $15 per year. The Family Access Membership includes general admission for all family members, and members may be added or removed at any time during the membership period. All of the educational programs associated with the First-Time Parent Membership are also available to any museum attendee, so Family Access members are welcome to participate.

If you have questions about your specific situation or need help to select the best membership for your family, please contact the membership manager.

We are foster parents who often care for infants in our home; do we qualify for this membership?

Unfortunately no, the First-Time Parent Membership is intended for first-time parents, and covers the first 18 months of their first child’s life; it is limited to just two adults and one infant for a single period of up to 18 months. Due to these conditions, your family may not be eligible for the First-Time Parent Membership, or some of the children in your household may not be covered.

However, all foster families qualify for the Family Access Membership, which starts at just $15 per year. The Family Access Membership includes general admission for all family members, and members may be added or removed at any time during the membership period. All of the educational programs associated with the First-Time Parent Membership are also available to any museum attendee, so Family Access members are welcome to participate.

If you have questions about your specific situation or need help to select the best membership for your family, please contact the membership manager.

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Membership Benefits

What benefits will I receive as a First Time Parent Member?

• Free general admission for all named members
• Access to Member Mornings and other exclusive member programming
• 10% discount on birthday parties, museum merchandise, and registered programs

Benefits extend to two named adults and their eligible infant(s); membership is valid until the infant reaches 18 months of age.

Do I get full member benefits?

Our First-Time Parent Membership covers two adults and their qualifying infant(s), and includes free general admission, access to Member Mornings and member programming, and a 10% discount on museum merchandise and pre-registered programs. These are the same member benefits as our Dual Membership.

First-Time Parent members are not eligible for ASTC or ACM museum reciprocity. Reciprocal benefits start at the Family Membership level ($135.) For more information on all of our other membership levels, visit our benefits and levels page.

Do I get reciprocal benefits with this membership?

No, the First-Time Parent Membership does not include reciprocal benefits. Reciprocal benefits start at the Family Membership level ($135.) For more information on all of our other membership levels, visit our benefits and levels page.

Will I receive guest passes?

No, the First-Time Parent Membership does not include guest passes. If you wish to bring a guest, you can purchase admission with your 10% member discount, or come on a Free Family Night.

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Current Museum Members

What if my child is under 18 months of age, but I already purchased a museum membership?

Thank you for supporting Madison Children’s Museum as a valued member. All of the educational programs associated with the First-Time Parent Membership are also available to any museum attendee, so all members are welcome to participate. Full-price memberships also come with valuable benefits that are not included with the free First-Time Parent Membership. These benefits include guest passes and yearlong access to institutions within the ASTC and ACM reciprocal museum networks (a full list of benefits is available on our Membership Benefits and Levels page.)

If you have questions about your specific situation, please contact the membership manager.

Can I return my paid membership and enroll in the First-Time Parent Membership?

Memberships cannot be returned or refunded. Please keep in mind that while the First-Time Parent Membership is a great resource for new families, it is a limited membership. Full-price memberships come with valuable benefits that are not included with the free First-Time Parent Membership. These benefits include guest passes and yearlong access to institutions within the ASTC and ACM reciprocal museum networks (a full list of benefits is available on our Membership Benefits and Levels page.) Thank you for supporting Madison Children’s Museum as a member; you are a valued part of our community.

If you have questions about your specific situation, please contact the membership manager.

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The First-Time Parent Membership program is sponsored by: