Child Care Foundational Training

Cartoon of preschool teacher and students sitting on floor and looking at a globe

The Child Care Foundational Trainings include the following noncredit trainings:

  • Introduction to the Child Care Profession
  • Skills and Strategies for the Child Care Teacher
  • Fundamentals of Infant and Toddler Care
  • Fundamentals of Family Child Care
  • Principles of Child Care Certification

See the Wisconsin Registry Statewide Training Calendar for the list of agencies currently offering these updated courses.

Revised Child Care Foundational Trainings - March 2026

Since the revised Child Care Foundational Trainings (CCFTs) launched in July 2024, DCF has heard from trainers, training participants, and child care providers about what is working well with the new courses and where we can make improvements.

One of the most consistent messages we have heard is that the new courses better prepare aspiring providers to deliver quality care and education to children. Many have also shared that the length of the courses, including the face-to-face requirement, has created challenges for trainers and participants. In response to this feedback, we are updating the CCFTs with some key changes while still maintaining the integrity of the trainings.

Effective July 1, 2026, the 50-hour courses will be reduced to 45 hours, and the minimum 15-hour face-to-face requirement is reduced to 10 hours. Fundamentals of Family Child Care will stay the same.

Course Title Current Hours New Hours
Introduction to the Child Care Profession 50 total hours
15 minimum face-to-face		 45 total hours
10 minimum face-to-face
Fundamentals of Infant and Toddler Care 50 total hours
15 minimum face-to-face		 45 total hours
10 minimum face-to-face
Skills and Strategies for the Child Care Teacher 50 total hours
15 minimum face-to-face		 45 total hours
10 minimum face-to-face
Fundamentals of Family Child Care 30 total hours
10 minimum face-to-face		 30 total hours
10 minimum face-to-face
(no change)
Principles of Child Care Certification 50 total hours
15 minimum face-to-face		 45 total hours
10 minimum face-to-face

New Child Care Foundational Trainings Administrator

Additionally, to continue to strengthen and align trainings across the early childhood system, beginning July 1, 2026, DCF will contract with The Professional Development Network (PDN), a program of the Wisconsin Child Welfare Professional Development System (WCWPDS) at UW-Milwaukee, to administer the CCFTs.

All CCFT course registration and online content will transition from the Wisconsin Registry to PDN. DCF will be working together with PDN and the Wisconsin Registry to make this transition as smooth as possible.

Users can access the PDN training calendar to search and register for CCFTs beginning in May 2026.

We appreciate all of you who have shared your thoughts and concerns with us. More information about the transition will be shared in upcoming DCF communications. Any questions may be directed to DCFDECECCTraining@wisconsin.gov.

PDN Timeline graphic

Learn more about starting a licensed child care program.
 

Watch our informational videos and share them with others who may be interested in learning more about the revised Child Care Foundational Trainings.

Screenshot from the What are the CCFTs video

What are the CCFTs?

The CCFTs are for anyone looking to enter the child care profession.

Watch the video.

Screenshot from How do the CCFTs support providers?

How do the courses support providers?

ECE professionals will be better supported to provide the high-quality learning environments children need to succeed.

Watch the video.

Find more information in the FAQs below.

General Questions Regarding the Child Care Foundational Trainings
  1. Who are the Child Care Foundational Trainings meant for? 
    The Child Care Foundational Trainings (CCFT) are for any individuals looking to enter the child care workforce. These entry-level, department-approved noncredit courses will meet any of the educational requirements for certified and licensed child care programs.
  2. Are these trainings different from the department-approved noncredit, entry-level trainings? 
    No. The Child Care Foundational Trainings are the department-approved noncredit, entry-level trainings for early childhood care and education professionals.
  3. Will I get credit for completing these trainings?
    No, the foundational trainings are noncredit trainings that meet most of the educational qualifications for certification and licensing.
  4. What are the delivery methods for Child Care Foundational Trainings?
    Trainings are offered in blended and face-to-face formats. Face-to-face includes both in-person and virtual platforms, such as Zoom, Skype, Teams, etc. Blended means training time is split between face-to-face and web-based (online) instruction.
  5. Will correspondence coursework still be offered?
    No. Correspondence coursework is no longer be offered as of December 31, 2024.
  6. Why has DCF changed the method of delivery for these trainings?
    DCF wants to ensure all individuals entering the field are receiving consistent, high-quality trainings with real-time feedback and discussion with instructors and peers. Updating delivery methods, including adding a blended option, will meet DCF’s goal while still ensuring trainings are accessible to individuals.
  7. Are any of the trainings prerequisites for other trainings?
    No, trainings are not required to be completed in a specific order. However, DCF recommends the trainings be taken in the following order:
Recommended training order: 1. Introduction to the Early Childhood Education Profession 2. Skills and Strategies for the Early Childhood Education Teacher 3. Fundamentals of Infact and Toddler Care
  1. What are the hours for each training?
    1. Introduction to the Child Care Profession: 45 hours
    2. Skills and Strategies for the Early Childhood Education Teacher: 45 hours
    3. Fundamentals of Infant and Toddler Care: 50 hours
    4. Fundamentals of Family Child Care: 30 hours
    5. Principles of Child Care Certification: 45 hours

  2. Why have the hours changed for these trainings?
    Since the launch of the new CCFT courses in 2024, DCF has received feedback from around the state. We have heard from trainers, training participants, and child care providers about what is working well with the new courses and where we can make improvements.  

    One of the most consistent messages we have heard is that the new courses better prepare aspiring providers to deliver quality care and education to children. Many have also shared that the length of the courses, including the face-to-face requirement, has created challenges for trainers and participants. In response to this feedback, we are updating the trainings with some key changes while still maintaining the integrity of the training.

  3. Since the revised curricula include Wisconsin Model of Early Learning Standards (WMELS) content, will these foundational trainings give credit towards WMELS training?
    No. While these trainings provide a good foundation and include many connections to the WMELS, they do not cover all the content and learning objectives from the full 15-20-hour training. To get credit for completing a WMELS training, individuals would need to complete the full 15-20-hour WMELS training or an approved higher education course where all the learning objectives are covered.
  4. Will these trainings affect my YoungStar rating?
    No. YoungStar education requirements for 3, 4, and 5 Star providers are based on an individual’s credit-based education through their Wisconsin Registry Career Level.
  5. Will these trainings be offered in languages other than English?
    Yes. The foundational trainings are available in Spanish and Hmong. However, availability of these trainings depends on multilingual trainer availability to offer these trainings.
  6. If I took the old foundational trainings, do I need to retake the revised trainings?
    No. If you successfully completed the old trainings, you will not be required to retake the revised trainings. Old trainings will still meet regulation requirements if completed before December 31, 2024.
  7. How will individuals enroll for the blended courses?
    Beginning May 2026, individuals will enroll using the PDS online registration system.
  8. How often will the foundational trainings be revised?
    The foundational trainings will be reviewed at least every five years and revisions made where necessary.
Trainer-Specific Questions

Trainer Qualifications

  1. How does a Training Sponsoring Organization (TSO) become an approved CCFT TSO?
    Each TSO interested in offering the CCFT will need to work with PDN to become an approved TSO.
  2. What are the requirements to train for these courses?
Initial Requirements Ongoing Requirements
  • Work for or contract with a PDN-approved CCFT TSO
  • Tier 3 Trainer Endorsement from the Wisconsin Registry
  • Approved AHT trainer, for those interested in teaching the Intro to the Child Care Profession and Infant and Toddler courses
  • Two years of experience in an ECE program working directly with children
  • Complete the Train-the-Trainer events
  • Sign a CCFT Trainer Agreement through PDN for using the DCF trainings
  • Participate in the Community of Practice and attend at least one event per year.
  • Teach each training for which the trainer is approved at least once every two years.
  • Remain in good standing with DCF*

*For trainers who are also child care providers, directors, administrators, or licensees:

The trainer and the child care program where they are the provider, director, administrator, and/or licensee must be in good standing with DCF to maintain their CCFT trainer approval. Good standing will be determined by a thorough review of regulatory status, background check compliance, Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy program integrity issues, and any unpaid debt due to DCF. To be considered in “good standing,” providers must not be under CPS investigation or DCF investigation which may lead to revocation, suspension, or denial of a license or certification, or termination from the Wisconsin Shares program. 

DCF will conduct quarterly “good standing” checks on all trainers who are also providers, directors, administrators, or licensees of a child care program.

Can I request an exception for any of the trainer requirements? 

Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis to meet the needs of a specific training participant population with identified language or geographical barriers who would otherwise be unable to attend a CCFT training. If DCF determines that a situation has resolved and the approved trainer is no longer needed to meet the needs of a specific population, the exception may be withdrawn, and the trainer will be removed from the active trainer list. Further, DCF will only grant exceptions to the following trainer requirements: 

  1. Do the Train-the-Trainer events cover all four trainings?
    Yes, the Train-the-Trainer events will cover all four trainings. Each foundational training will be covered on a separate day, so trainers will be able to determine which events they need to participate in depending on which trainings they want to be approved for.
  2. When will the Train-the-Trainer be scheduled for the revised Child Care Foundational Trainings?
    Train-the-trainer events generally take place in spring and fall each year. As details become available about these events, it will be shared on DCF’s Child Care Listserv and promoted by PDN.
  3. How can I register for the train-the-trainer events?
    Registration information will be shared by PDN when events are scheduled.
  4. Can a trainer be trained and approved for only one training?
    Yes, trainers will be able to choose which of the four foundational trainings they want to be approved for.
  5. Will agencies be granted training approval, or will the individual trainers be granted approval?
    Both training agencies and individual trainers will need to be approved through PDN.
  6. Are currently approved trainers automatically allowed to train these courses?
    No. All trainers interested in teaching the foundational trainings will be required to go through the new trainer approval process.
  7. What is the time line for a trainer to be marked “inactive?”
    All time lines for inactivity are calculated from the end date of the most recent training or event. See examples below:
    Inactivity due to lack of training: A trainer must teach a course within a two-year time span. For example, Trainer X offers Introduction to the Early Child Care Profession, which ends August 6, 2024, and does not offer it again. They will be marked “inactive” on August 7, 2026.
    Inactivity due to failure to participate in a Community of Practice (CoP): A trainer must participate annually with a CoP event. For example, Trainer Y attends a CoP virtual event on April 7, 2025, but does not participate again. They will be marked “inactive” on April 8, 2026.
  8. How can we check a trainer’s active or inactive status?
    More information will be available in future from PDN.
  9. Over the course of two years of activity, do trainers need to offer all four trainings, or can they specialize in one training?
    Trainers will need to offer each of the trainings for which they are approved.
  10. Are there other ways for trainers to get re-authorized to train these trainings?
    If a trainer becomes inactive for failing to teach the trainings at least once every two years, for failing to participate in the community of practice, or not renewing their trainer requirements, they will be placed on an inactive list. To become an active trainer again, it depends on the length of time a trainer has been inactive. 
    • If a trainer has been inactive for two years or less, they will need to participate in a Community of Practice event AND train a course to become active again.
      Example: Trainer A offers the Intro training on March 15, 2025, but does not offer it again. On March 15, 2027, they will be placed on an inactive list for failing to offer the trainings every two years. Trainer A decides in January 2029 that they want to offer the Intro training again. To become active again, they must attend a Community of Practice event AND offer the training.
    • If a trainer has been inactive for more than 2 years, they will need to go through the entire trainer approval process again.
      Example: Trainer B offers the Infant and Toddler training on June 8, 2026, but does not offer it again for the next two years. On June 8, 2028, Trainer B is placed on an inactive list. In August 2030, Trainer B wants to begin offering the Infant and Toddler training again; to become an active trainer, Trainer B will need to reapply to become an approved CCFT trainer, attend a Train-the-Trainer event, and begin participating in the Community of Practice.

Community of Practice Questions

  1. Will there be four different Communities of Practice?
    No, there will only be one Community of Practice (CoP) for all four foundational trainings. Once the CoP gets started, the group can provide feedback about the potential for training-specific check-ins between the large group meetings held each year.
  2. Will the Community of Practice be held virtually or in-person?
    CoPs will likely be held in a variety of formats to accommodate trainer needs.
Subsidies Ended August 31, 2025

Child Care Foundational Training Subsidy has Ended

DCF subsidized the Child Care Foundational Trainings (CCFTS) through grants for completed trainings through August 31, 2025. There are no current subsidies available. The final number of completers using subsidy was 6,981. 

Why did the subsidy program end? 

The funds were exhausted in August 2025. 

Can I continue to schedule courses out past August 31, 2025? 

Yes, you can continue to add courses past that date. Just keep in mind that participants will not be covered by subsidy, and you will likely need to charge them more. If you have already listed courses scheduled out past the subsidy deadline, you can go in and update your registration fees listed. However, keep in mind that this will be a big shift for the field, so make sure you document any changes and communications.

Did DCF notify providers that subsidy ended? 

Yes, the announcement appeared in the June 27 and July 10, 2025 provider listserv messages.
 

High School Specific Questions

Do high school staff who wish to teach these DCF Child Care Foundational Trainings to high school students need to meet the trainer qualifications to do so?
Yes, all trainers will need to meet these requirements. If a high school teacher wants to offer these trainings but does not meet the requirements, they could partner with an approved training agency and trainer to offer the trainings to their students. In that scenario, the approved trainer will be the one delivering the materials and responsible for the training.

Contact Information

Who can we contact to with further questions about the Foundational Trainings?