Child Care Licensing Resources:
Who Is Included in the Licensed Child Care SearchThe Licensed Child Care Search provides location and regulatory information on the almost 6,000 licensed child care centers in Wisconsin. Wisconsin 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. The Licensed Child Care Search does not provide information on child care providers that are not required to be licensed. 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. The Licensed Child Care Search does not provide information on certified child care. For more information about county or tribal certified programs, please contact your county or tribe directly or you can find out more by visiting the Day Care Certification website. You can also contact your community-based child care resource and referral agency to receive support and resources about certified and licensed child care in your community. |