Child Care Licensing Resources:
Child Care Start-up InformationProviding care to Wisconsin's children is a valuable service to families and the community. Starting a child care center is like starting any business, there are many things to think about and many steps to take. In an effort to assist those persons interested in starting a child care business; the Department of Children and Families has the following suggestions. Step 1: If you are interested in starting a group child care center (9 or more children) or family child care center (4-8 children), you may obtain an inquiry packet in one of two ways:
Inquiry packets contain the licensing rule book, suggested procedures for starting up a program, a start-up worksheet and other information necessary to begin the start-up process. Step 2: Review the materials contained in the inquiry packet. The inserts entitled Procedure for Obtaining an Initial License to Operate a Family Child Care Center and Procedure for Obtaining an Initial License to Operate a Group Child Care Center list a series of items that should be addressed. Developing a business plan will help you decide what needs to be done next and can also be used to help secure financing for your project through a lending institution. The United States Small Business Association has information available on starting a business and may be able to provide resources and information that will assist you in your efforts to start a child care program. Step 3: Because we know how overwhelming and difficult it can be to navigate the process of opening a child care business, the Department contracts with the Wisconsin Child Care Improvement Project (WCCIP) to provide free technical assistance to individuals, organizations and agencies interested in opening a child care center. Included in the inquiry packet (see Step 1 above) is a Child Care Business Start-up worksheet that you complete and submit to WCCIP. Upon receipt of your worksheet, the WCCIP will assign a Child Care Technical Advisor (TA) to guide you through the start-up process. Step 4: A WCCIP TA will contact you to determine your needs and provide necessary materials and assistance as you begin the start-up process. Your WCCIP TA will review a checklist of all the items that must be in place before a license can be issued and will answer any questions you may have about the licensing process. Step 5: After completing the start-up process with WCCIP, you will be given an application for a child care center license. Not more than 14 days before you submit your application materials to the regional office, you will need to verify that all the applicable licensing rules on the Initial Licensing Study Checklist have been met. Submit the completed license application, the Initial Licensing Study Checklist and any other materials indicated on the last page of the checklist to the appropriate regional licensing office serving the county in which care is to be provided. Step 6: After the regional licensing office receives your application materials, they will review them to assure that all necessary materials have been submitted and complete a caregiver background check on the licensee and any adult household members. The caregiver background check may include an investigation into information received on any convictions, substantiations or other offenses that may impact a person's ability to care for children. Once the caregiver background check and any subsequent investigation has been completed, a licensing specialist will be assigned to your program. The licensing specialist will contact you to schedule an initial licensing study visit and complete the licensing process. If you are not in compliance with all the items on the checklist at the time of the visit by the licensing specialist, the issuance of your license may be delayed. Last Revised: November 09, 2009 |