Wisconsin's Licensed Child Care Search

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) licenses Wisconsin's child care centers. State law requires anyone caring for four or more children, unrelated to the provider, under the age of 7 years, to be licensed. There are two main categories of licensed care: Family Child Care, (up to 8 children in care at any one time) and Group Child Care, (9 or more children in care at any one time). Day camp is another type of licensed program that is seasonal and oriented to the out of doors.

In addition to licensing centers, DCF provides technical assistance, conducts unannounced on-site visits to monitor compliance with licensing statute and administrative rule, investigates complaints and, when necessary, initiates enforcement actions and follow-up to assure that violations of statute and rule are corrected by the licensed centers.

Wisconsin's Licensed Child Care Search contains information on the location and regulatory history of the almost 6,000 child care centers licensed by DCF. This information is provided to assist you in locating and learning more about licensed child care centers in your area. Through the Licensed Child Care Search, you can search for licensed child care by county, city, zip code or facility name. Once you have located a child care center, you can review the facility's licensing information including compliance history and enforcement actions.

Licensing is not the same as child care certification.  Child care certification is a form of regulation for providers who are not required to be licensed. For information about county or tribal certified centers, please contact the county or tribe directly or you can find out more by visiting the Day Care Certification web site. The Licensed Child Care Search does not provide information on certified child care. 

Another important resource for consumers seeking child care information are the fifteen Child Care Resource and Referral agencies located throughout the state. These agencies can assist you in selecting quality child care by providing a customized listing of licensed and certified child care providers in your area as well as additional information and advice on how to choose the right child care arrangement for you. You can visit the Wisconsin Child Care Resource & Referral website to find your local child care resource and referral agency.

Instructions to begin your child care search