Wisconsin Child Care Certification DCF 202 establishes standards for the certification of persons who provide child care for 1 to 3 children under age 7 unrelated to the provider, or who are not otherwise required to be licensed as a child care center under s. 48.65, Stats. DCF contracts certification functions to local counties and tribes. DCF Bureau of Early Care Regulation (BECR) administers certification in Milwaukee County. Note: Please use your Chrome browser when accessing the Administrative Rules and Statutes. View a list of Wisconsin Certified Child Care Programs. Covid-19 Updates from DCF - get up-to-date information specific to Wisconsin Starting a Certified Family Child Care Business Thank you for your interest in starting a certified family child care business. Providing child care to Wisconsin’s children is a valuable service to families and the community! For more information about starting a certified child care program, contact your local certification agency. For more information about starting a licensed child care program please visit the DCF Starting a Child Care webpage. Visit the Provider Resource page for more information to assist you in starting your child care business. Training requirements for starting a certified child care business. Benefits of Child Care Certification Provider is able to care for Wisconsin Shares subsidized children Provider may participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program Provider may get parent referrals from Child Care Resource and Referral Agency Allowable Number of Children in Certified Family Child Care Computer-based training for compliance with Licensing Law and DCF 202: Maximum Number of Children in Care Training Videos Policy and Resources (25 minutes) Practice Scenarios (20 minutes) Read about additional training requirements. The table below explains the maximum group size rules. (Printable Numbers Chart) Maximum Children in Certified Child Care Related or Provider's Own Children Under 7 Years of Age Non-related Children Under 7 Years of Age Additional Children Ages 7 and Older Maximum Number of Children* 0 3 Includes non-related children age 7+ and related, non-residential children age 7+ 6 1 3 6 2 3 6 3 3 6 4 2 6 5 1 6 6 0 6 When Children Under the Age of 2 Years are Present Number of Children Under 2 Years of Age Maximum Number of Children* 0 6 1 6 2 6 3 5 4 4 *The maximum number does not include the certified child care operator’s natural, adopted, step or foster children 7 years of age and older or any children age 7 and older who live in the residence. The Group Size Estimator is a tool that will help the user understand when a certified provider’s day care schedule may be in violation of the State of Wisconsin child care certification rules. DCF 202.02(12m) “Operator’s own children” means a certified family child care operator’s natural, adopted, step, and foster children, and any children who reside in the operator’s home. The state law, s. 48.65 (1), Stats., states: If a child care provider cares for 4 or more children under the age of 7 who are not related to the provider, for compensation, the provider must obtain from the Department of Children and Families, Bureau of Early Care and Regulation a license to operate a child care center. This means that if a certification applicant is caring for 4 or more unrelated children under age 7, the agency does not have the authority to approve the application for certification because s/he is violating the licensing law. The applicant must comply with certification standards DCF 202 before certification may be granted.
