Wisconsin's Licensed Child Care Search

Terms and Definitions

The following list of terms and phrases is followed by definitions and explanations below.  Click on a term to view its meaning.

Accreditation - Accreditation means a formal system for validating and recognizing the components of a group or family child care program to improve the quality of the child care program and inform consumers.

Administrative Rules - Administrative rules are regulations which have the effect of law and have been issued to interpret and implement statutory requirements.  DCF 250 and DCF 251 are the pertinent administrative rules governing licensed group and family child care.  DCF 252 is the administrative rule governing Day Camps. DCF 202 is the administrative rule that governs certified family and school age child care.

Appeal Decision - A licensee may appeal an enforcement action imposed by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to the Department of Administration, Division of Hearings and Appeals.  Following the appeal hearing, the Division of Hearings and Appeals may either support the enforcement action taken by the DCF or support the licensee's position.  A certified operator may appeal any negative action (i.e. denial, revocation, suspension) by the certifying agency.  The appeal process must follow Chapter 68- Municipal Administrative Procedures.

Certified Child Care - This is a voluntary form of regulation in Wisconsin for those child care programs that are not required to be licensed.  Counties/Tribes certify child care homes and some school-age child care programs.  Certification is available for those families who wish to receive a child care subsidy, but who do not choose to use licensed care.

Certified Family Child Care - A family child care certified under DCF 202, Wisconsin Administrative Code, to provide care and supervision to no more than 3 children under age 7 and no more than 6 in care including children related to the provider.  Group size is reduced when 3 or more children under age 2 are present.

Certified School Age Care - A program certified under DCF 202, Wisconsin Administrative Code, to provide care and supervision in a location other than an operator’s home for fewer than 24 hours a day for 7 or more school–age children and which is exempt from being licensed as a child care center.

Complaint - A complaint is an allegation of a violation of administrative rules and laws related to licensed or certified child care facilities that requires an investigation and, if confirmed as true, appropriate follow-up action.  The Department of Children and Families (DCF) investigates complaints within its regulatory authority related to licensed or illegally operating facilities.  The Certifying agency investigates complaints within its regulatory authority related to certified child care programs.  Complaints alert the regulating agency to possible problems at facilities that may not be apparent during routine monitoring visits.  When a complaint investigation is completed, the regulating agency must reach one of two findings for each alleged violation included in the complaint.  These findings are "Substantiated" or "Unsubstantiated."  Substantiated means that based on the complaint investigation, a rule violation was issued.  Unsubstantiated means that based on the complaint investigation, a rule violation was not issued.

Compliance Statement - Compliance Statement is a form used by the regulating agency to document when no violations (also referred to as noncompliances) were cited for the selected administrative rules under review at the time of the monitoring visit to the licensed or certified facility.  This form is may be presented to the licensee at the conclusion of the visit or  mailed to the licensee/certified operator following the visit, and for licensed programs must be posted next to the child care license in an area conspicuous to the public.

Correction Plan - Licensed and certified centers are expected to develop and implement an acceptable correction plan to address all violations identified on the Statement of Noncompliance and Correction Plan.  The regulating agency verifies that the violations are corrected within the specified timeframe, and, if the violations remain uncorrected, the regulating agency may take further corrective action with the child care center, such as an enforcement action or other sanction. 

Day Camp - A day camp is licensed under DCF 252, Wisconsin Administrative Code, to provide care and supervision to 4 or more children 3 years of age and older in a seasonal program oriented to the out-of-doors for periods less than 24 hours a day.

Denial - A denial is an enforcement action taken by the regulating agency that prevents an applicant for child care licensure/certification from receiving a probationary or regular license or certificate to operate. An application may be denied due to the applicant's failure to meet the minimum standards for licensure/certification.  The regulating agency may consider any action by the applicant, a household member or by an employee of the applicant that constitutes a substantial failure to protect and promote the health, safety and welfare of a child.  In certain circumstances, the applicant's criminal history may prohibit licensure/certification.

Direct Forfeiture - Direct forfeiture refers to an enforcement action taken by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) that assesses a monetary penalty against a child care licensee for an identified administrative rule violation not associated with previously issued orders.  A direct forfeiture is issued in the most severe circumstances where the health, safety and welfare of children in care is threatened or when harm to a child has occurred.  A direct forfeiture may be assessed in amounts of $10 to $1000 per day, per violation. 

Enforcement Action - An enforcement action, authorized in Wisconsin Statute, is a sanction or penalty that may be taken by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to address violations of administrative rules or laws.  Through the use of enforcement actions, such as orders and forfeitures, the DCF can compel licensees to correct violations and come into compliance with minimum regulatory requirements.  A licensee can dispute an enforcement action taken by the DCF by appealing the action through the Division of Hearings and Appeals.

Family Child Care Center - A family child care center is licensed under DCF 250, Wisconsin Administrative Code, to provide care and supervision to no more than eight children under the age of seven for less than 24 hours a day.

Formal Rating with Observation - A Formal Rating with Observation is a process by which rating observers evaluate several aspects of the child care program for measures of quality. The YoungStar Consortium ensures that formal rating with observation will occur in a valid and reliable approach across all six regions in Wisconsin. Formal raters have previous experience and reliability with utilizing evidence based tools, and complete accurate and valid observation assessments based on quality indicators.

Forfeiture - A forfeiture is an enforcement action taken by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) that assesses a monetary penalty against a child care licensee who violates a provision of licensure under the administrative rule.  A forfeiture may be assessed in amounts of $10 to $1000 per day, per violation.  Forfeitures are usually issued after a provider has failed to come into compliance with an order, but they may be issued directly for the most serious violations.

Four Year Old Kindergarten (4K) - When offered, 4-Year-Old Kindergarten is universal and open to all children. When a district offers 4K, it must be open for all-age eligible children in the district.  More and more school districts are taking community approaches to four-year-old kindergarten by offering the program in an array of settings including schools, child care centers and Head Start.

Group Child Care Center - A group child care center is licensed under DCF 251, Wisconsin Administrative Code, to provide care and supervision to 9 or more children for less than 24 hours a day.  A group child care center can also be certified under DCF 202, Wisconsin Administrative Code, to provide care and supervision to school-age children 7 and older. 

Head Start - Wisconsin is home to 42 Head Start and 20 Early Head Start programs operated by 44 unique organizations–18 of which provide both Head Start and Early Head Start services. Children from birth to age five are age-eligible for Head Start (preschool children ages three to five) or Early Head Start (birth to age three and pregnant women).  Specific criteria have been established to determine who is eligible to participate.

Lead Teacher - A lead teacher is a group child care worker who plans, implements and supervises the daily activities for a designated group of children.

Licensee - Licensee refers to the corporation, individual, partnership or non-incorporated association or cooperative which has legal and financial responsibility for the operation of a child care center and for meeting the requirements of the child care administrative rule.

Micro-Grants - Micro-Grants are available to child care programs that request and participate in YoungStar technical consultation. Micro-Grant resources will be used to support child care providers’ quality improvement plans. Quality improvement plans will be created by providers in consultation with technical consultants from the YoungStar Regional Offices.

Model Work Standards - Model Work Standards is a tool that is used as an in-depth examination of their child care work environment - both the interpersonal climate of the workplace, as well as policies and practices that define good working conditions

Noncompliance Statement and Correction Plan - A Noncompliance Statement and Correction Plan is the form that is used by the regulating agency to enumerate and document all violations of administrative rules identified in licensed/certified facilities.  The  Noncompliance Statement and Correction Plan alerts a facility to existing violations and requires prompt, appropriate corrective action to safeguard the children in care.  This form is presented to the licensee at the conclusion of the visit or may be mailed to the licensee/certified operator following the visit, and for licensed programs must be posted next to the child care license in an area conspicuous to the public.

Not Upheld (Licensed Programs) - When the Division of Hearings and Appeals supports the licensee's appeal of an enforcement action, the appeal decision on the Enforcement Actions page indicates "Not Upheld", meaning the enforcement action is withdrawn.

Not Upheld (Certified Programs) - When the Certification Administrative Agency supports the certified operator’s appeal of a certification sanction or other negative action.

Operator – An individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability corporation, non–incorporated association, or cooperative that has legal and financial responsibility for the operation of a certified child care program and for meeting the requirements under DCF 202, Wisconsin Administrative Code.

Order - An order is an enforcement action issued by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) that compels a licensee, through a formal, written directive, to take necessary steps to comply with one or more administrative rules.  In the case of an illegally operating center, an order to cease operation may be issued to the person/entity operating a center illegally.

Probationary License - A probationary child care license is the license issued to an applicant who has not been previously issued a regular license, has changed location, or has changed corporate status.  A probationary license is issued when the applicant meets certain minimum requirements for probationary licensure, as specified in statute and administrative rule, and the probationary license fee has been paid.  The probationary license is valid for up to six months, but it may be renewed for one additional six-month period.  Before a probationary license expires, the DCF conducts inspections of the center to ensure it meets the minimum requirements for regular licensure.  A regular license is issued if minimum requirements are met.  

Professional Development Technical Consulting - Participants in YoungStar have an opportunity to get support in the development of individual and/or program professional development plans. These plans will allow programs to identify opportunities for meeting goals related to qualifications and competencies. This service can occur via telephone or on-site.

Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) - Quality Improvement Plan is an ongoing cycle of self-study and assessment and planning for improvement within the child care program. The quality improvement plan is used to document, implement and evaluate the quality of programming on an ongoing basis.

Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) - A quality rating and improvement system (QRIS) is a systemic approach to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early and school-age care and education programs. Similar to rating systems for restaurants and hotels, QRIS award quality ratings to early and school-age care and education programs that meet a set of defined program standards.

QRIS are composed of five common elements: (1) standards; (2) accountability measures; (3) program and practitioner outreach and support; (4) financial incentives; and (5) parent/consumer education efforts. Currently, 23 States have a statewide QRIS with all five elements.

Regulatory Compliance – Licensed and certified providers will be out of regulatory compliance upon receipt of notice from the Department of Children and Families or certifying agency that the license or certification 1) has been revoked (or summarily suspended); 2) has been denied; or 3) has been suspended form the Wisconsin Shares program.  For programs that are found to be out of regulatory compliance, the provider’s rating will be changed to a one star.  All of these regulatory actions, the revocation, denial and suspension, have an associated appeal right, as described in Ch. 227, Wis. Stats.  or Chapter 68 Administrative Code. 

In the case of revocations, denials and Wisconsin Shares suspensions, the program will remain out of regulatory compliance until the regulatory enforcement action is resolved. Any future participation in the Wisconsin Shares program depends upon the conditions articulated in the final ruling or the settlement of the revocation case. If the program continues to operate during the revocation or denial proceedings, the provider will continue to have access to YoungStar training and technical assistance. If and when a provider is deemed to be in regulatory compliance, the provider’s prior rating will be restored.

Regulatory History - Each program licensed by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) or certified by the certifying agency agrees to follow administrative rules intended to protect the children in care.  The regulating agency makes periodic, unannounced and announced on-site visits to regulated child care centers, during which time the regulator observes the operation of the center and notes any violation of selected administrative rules.  Either a Statement of Noncompliance and Correction Plan (CFS-294) that enumerates the violations found or a Compliance Statement that shows that no violations were noted is issued.  For licensed programs these reports must be posted next to the child care license in an area of the center that is readily visible to parents and the public.

Regulatory history is also established through complaint investigations conducted by the regulatory agency.  The DCF may make only one or two routine monitoring visits each year, so observations from parents and others as to what is happening at a center is also informative.  The frequency of monitoring visits to certified programs vary.  When the regulating agency is alerted to potential violation(s) of administrative rule, regulatory staff conducts a thorough investigation.  If the complaint results in substantiated violations, the violations are documented on a Noncompliance Statement and Correction Plan.  The center is expected to take prompt corrective action.

Revocation - A revocation is the closure of a facility by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) or certifying agency through termination of the license/certificate to operate.  There are various grounds for revocation.  These include continued violation of a provision of licensure/certification after the imposition of a penalty; substantial violation of a provision of licensure/certification; certification as tax delinquent; direct threats to the health, safety or welfare of children in care; outstanding forfeitures; or evidence that the licensee, certified operator, a household member, an employee or a person with regular contact with children in care has been convicted of a serious crime or is the subject of a finding by a governmental agency of neglect or abuse of a client, misappropriation of a client's property or child abuse or neglect.

School Age Care - School age programs are defined as programs that provide early care and education services primarily during the hours before and after school, and primarily serve children ages 5 - 12. In some limited circumstances younger children may be enrolled. More information about school age care can be found on the For Providers section of the YoungStar web site.

Second Probationary License - A second 6-month probationary license is issued to a provider following the first six-month probationary licensing period when the Department of Children and Families (DCF) decides to extend the probationary period in order to ensure the provider meets the minimum standards under the administrative rule before a regular license is granted.

Stipulated Agreement - A stipulated agreement is a legal contractual agreement between the regulatory agency and a licensee/operator of a child care center that sets forth specific and unique terms and conditions for continuing licensure/certification.  Such an agreement is sometimes used to settle an enforcement action following a provider’s appeal of the action.  It establishes ongoing conditions under which an applicant/licensee/certified operator is permitted to hold a license/certificate.  Without such an agreement, or in violation of the agreement, an enforcement action, including license/certification denial or revocation, may result.

Summary Suspension - A summary suspension is an enforcement action taken by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) that requires the immediate suspension of a license and closure of a facility when the DCF finds that emergency action is required to ensure the public health, safety or welfare.

Technical Assistance/Technical Consultation (TA or TC) - Technical Consultation is a process in which YoungStar team members meet with programs at their site to support development or refinement of a quality improvement plan. The consultant will also provide support in putting the plan into action. While the movement forward in an action plan is the choice of a program, consultants can bring many strategies and resources to achieve goals.

The consulting will be based on the program’s self-assessment, draft quality improvement plan, ideas, hopes, and vision for growing the quality of the program. The technical consultant will also bring skills, knowledge of early care and education, experience supporting change, and resources based on research and best practice. Together the program and consultant will monitor progress toward quality improvement goals.

Technical Consultant - A Technical Consultant is a highly qualified individual with a combination of credit-based education and experience who will provide assistance to providers in Wisconsin. YoungStar providers will be assigned a Technical Consultant who will engage and partner with the providers in addressing areas to improve the quality of care they provide.

Temporary Suspension of a License - A temporary suspension of a license is an enforcement action taken by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) that temporarily suspends a child care license for not more than two weeks.  This enforcement action requires that the licensee temporarily close the licensed facility and cease caring for a licensable number of children during the license suspension period while the licensee makes necessary corrections to achieve compliance with licensing administrative rule.

The Registry - The Registry is a career level system that recognizes the professional achievements of the childhood care and education profession in Wisconsin. The Registry documents verified formal and informal education on individuals in the early care and education field.

Upheld - When the Division of Hearings and Appeals agrees with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) enforcement action, the appeal decision on the Enforcement Actions page indicates "upheld", meaning the enforcement action remains in place. This applies to licensed programs only.   

Violation - A violation, also referred to as a noncompliance, is a formal, written statement that the licensee/certified operator is not complying with a specific administrative rule.

Warning Letter - For licensed programs a warning letter is not technically an enforcement action but a pre-enforcement action, an incremental step in the progression toward an enforcement action.  For certified programs a warning letter is a sanction and typically an incremental step in the progression towards additional sanctions.

A warning letter is used to 1) increase the impact of a Noncompliance Statement and Correction Plan (CFS-294) issued for a serious violation(s), for numerous violations or for a repeat violation(s); 2) report to the licensee/certified operator that telephone service to the facility is unavailable and the consequences if the service is not restored; 3) inform the licensee/certified operator about failed attempts to gain entrance to the facility for on-site monitoring and the consequences should monitoring not be allowed; or 4) inform an applicant/licensee that an unresolved tax delinquency may prevent licensure.  The warning letter informs the licensee/certified operator that failure to correct the violation(s), admit entry, restore telephone service or resolve the tax delinquency could, or will, result in subsequent enforcement action or other sanction.

Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards - Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards is a tool to provide a framework of developmentally appropriate expectations for young children that can guide the creation, evaluation, and improvement of conditions necessary for children’s optimal development and create a common language. The Standards specify developmental expectations for children from birth through entrance to first grade. The Standards reflect attention to all the domains of a child’s learning and development.

Wisconsin Shares - Wisconsin Shares is the child care subsidy program for working families administered by the Department of Children and Families.

YoungStar Consortium - YoungStar Consortium is made up of Supporting Families Together Association (SFTA), Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA) and Celebrate Children Foundation (CCF). The Consortium was selected to administer YoungStar in six regional offices across Wisconsin. The YoungStar Consortium is responsible for the YoungStar application process, on-site technical consultation, regional and community training delivery, formal rating with observation, administration of micro-grants, assisting parents with locating child care programming, and working with DCF and other key state, regional and local partners to support child care programming.