Early Care and Education
LAB Audit Findings
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) aims to provide access to affordable, high-quality child care and early education experiences, to enhance our children's development and to support their families in work and parenting roles.
Information on statewide licensure of Wisconsin’s child care facilities (including family child care, group child care and day camps). The purpose is to promote the health, safety and welfare of children in licensed child care.
Wisconsin's Licensed Child Care Search
Find the location and regulatory history of almost 6,000 licensed child care centers in Wisconsin. Search for a licensed child care (family, group, or day camp) by county, city, zip code or facility name, and find out the facility’s licensing information including compliance history and enforcement actions for the past two years.
State law requires counties and tribes to certify providers who receive public funding but are exempt from the licensing law. Most counties have made certification available for all family child care providers, whether or not public funding is involved. DCF publicizes rules establishing standards for the certification of child care providers.
Wisconsin Shares – Child Care Subsidy Program
Provides financial child care assistance to low-income parents who are working or preparing to enter the workforce. Administered by local Wisconsin Works (W-2) agencies and county or tribal human services agencies.
Quality Child Care Initiatives
Addresses the quality and availability of child care through a quality child care initiative, a statewide child care resource and referral network, scholarship and bonus program, and proactive licensing and monitoring. These initiatives are implemented primarily through grants to private non-profit agencies and to child care programs.
Head Start Collaboration Office
The Head Start State Collaboration Office plays an important role in building partnerships at the state and local level to ensure Head Start’s participation in systems-integration strategies to benefit low-income children and families.
Information addressing all areas listed above, as well as training opportunities, the WI Child Care Development Fund and e-mail subscription lists.
Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) Plan