Licensing Rules with Commentary

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Due to the size of this publication, it is made available to download as an entire manual, or in separate parts. The portion of the publication that is numbered and in regular print is the Administrative Code. The portion of the publication that is within boxes and in italicized print is the commentary that was prepared by staff of the Department of Children and Families. The publications are divided according to the sections of the rule and the pages are numbered consecutively. There is a header on each page that contains the rule cite for the portion of the rules beginning on that page.

Please contact your regional office if you have questions.

Printed copies of the commentary manuals are not for sale from the department.

Family Child Care Centers - Updated 05/2023

Entire Family Child Care Manual

Family Child Care Manual in separate parts

DCF 250 - Preface & Table of Contents

DCF 250.01 - Authority & Purpose

DCF 250.02 - Applicability

DCF 250.03 - Definitions

DCF 250.04 - Operational Requirements

DCF 250.05 - Staff

DCF 250.055 - Supervision & Grouping of Children

DCF 250.06 - Physical Plant & Equipment

DCF 250.07 - Program

DCF 250.08 - Transportation

DCF 250.09 - Additional Requirements for Infant & Toddler Care

DCF 250.095 - Additional Requirements When Licensee Not Providing Care at Least 50% of Center's Licensed Hours

DCF 250.10 - Additional Requirements for Night Care

DCF 250.11 - Licensing Administration

DCF 250.12 - Complaints, Inspections, and Enforcement Actions

Index

Appendices

D Resources List

1. Car Safety Seat Information (Car Safety Seat Check-Up)

2. Center Medication and Injury Log - Directions for Use (DCF-P-5185) EnglishSpanish

3. Child Care Background Checks (CBC) FAQ - Licensed Child Care

4. Child Care Weather Watch - Wisconsin

5. Communicable Diseases Chart & Order Info 

6. Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting in Child Care Settings (DCF-P-5201)

7. Collaborative Child Care Program - Frequently Asked Questions

8. Common Plants - What's Poisonous

9. Credit to Hours Conversion - Technical Colleges and Universities

10. Daily Attendance Record - Licensed Child Care Centers (DCF-F-2438) English / Spanish

11. DCF Approved Agencies Offering Non-Credit Child Care Courses (DCF-P-5202)

12. Early Years are Learning Years - Time Out for "Time Out"

13. Entry Level Courses – Early Childhood Professionals

14. Entry Level Courses – School-age Professionals

15. Guidance for Child Care Providers Regarding Lead-Based Paint Hazards in Child Care Settings

16. Instructions for Obtaining Forms - Group Child Care & Family Child Care Centers (DCF-P-PFS3038)

17. It Shouldn't Hurt to be a Child... Report Child Abuse and Neglect (DCF-P-PFS0101) EnglishSpanish

18. Managing Crying, Fussing or Distraught Children (information packet)

19. OSHA Regulations on Bloodborne Pathogens

20. Prevention of Exposure to Blood and Body Fluids

21. Required Items for Family Child Care Centers (DCF-P-5414)

22. Safe Food Storage

23. Situations that Require Medical Attention Right Away

24. Staff-to-Child Ratio While Swimming Worksheet - Group and Family Child Care (DCF-F-2465)

25. Storing and Warming Infant Bottles and Food (DCF-P-5396)

26. Ten Steps to Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Centers

27. The Registry Administrator Credential

28. The Registry Career Levels

29. Together Children Grow – Quality Child Care for Children with Special Needs EnglishSpanish

30. Transportation of Children in 10+ Passenger Vans (DCF-P-PFS4088)

31. What You Should Know About CCA-Pressure-Treated Wood for Decks, Playgrounds, and Picnic Tables resource

 

Group Child Care Centers 

Entire Group Child Care Manual

Group Child Care Manual in separate parts

DCF 251 - Preface & Table of Contents

DCF 251.01 - Authority & Purpose

DCF 251.02 - Applicability

DCF 251.03 - Definitions

DCF 251.04 - Operational Requirements

DCF 251.05 - Staff

DCF 251.055 - Supervision & Grouping of Children

DCF 251.06 - Physical Plant & Equipment

DCF 251.07 - Program

DCF 251.08 - Transportation

DCF 251.09 - Additional Requirements for Infant & Toddler Care

DCF 251.094 - Staff in School-Age Programs

DCF 251.095 - Additional requirements, modifications, and exceptions for school-age programs

DCF 251.10 - Additional Requirements for Night Care

DCF 251.11 - Licensing Administration

DCF 251.12 - Complaints, Inspections, and Enforcement Actions

DCF 251.13 - Programs Established by or Contracted for by School Boards

Index

Appendices

D Resources List

Car Safety Seat Information (Car Safety Seat Check-Up)

Center Medication and Injury Log - Directions for Use (DCF-P-5185) EnglishSpanish

Child Care Background Check (CBC) FAQ - Licensed Child Care

Child Care Weather Watch - Wisconsin

Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting in Child Care Settings (DCF-P-5201)

Collaborative Child Care Program - Frequently Asked Questions

Common Plants - What's Poisonous

Communicable Diseases Chart & Order Info

Credit to Hours Conversion - Technical Colleges and Universities

Daily Attendance Record - Licensed Child Care Centers (DCF-F-2438)

DCF Approved Agencies Offering Non-Credit Child Care Courses (DCF-P-5202)

Early Years Are Learning Years - Time Out for "Time Out"

Entry Level Courses - Early Childhood Professionals

Entry Level Courses - School-age Professionals

Food Storage Chart

Guidance for Child Care Providers Regarding Lead-Based Paint Hazards in Child Care Settings

Instructions for Obtaining Forms - Group Child Care & Family Child Care Centers (DCF-P-PFS3038)

It Shouldn't Hurt to be a Child (DCF-P-PFS0101) EnglishSpanish

Managing Crying, Fussing or Distraught Children (information packet)

OSHA Regulations on Bloodborne Pathogens

Prevention of Exposure to Blood and Body Fluids 

Required Items for Group Child Care Centers (DCF-P-5421)

Situations that Require Medical Attention Right Away

Staff-to-Child Ratio While Swimming Worksheet - Group and Family Child Care (DCF-F-2465)

Staff-to-Child Ratio Worksheet - Group Child Care Centers (DCF-F-CFS0078)

Storing and Warming Infant Bottles and Food (DCF-P-5396)

Ten Steps to Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Centers

The Registry Administrator Credential

The Registry Career Levels

Together Children Grow - Quality Child Care for Children with Special Needs EnglishSpanish

Transportation of Children in 10+ Passenger Vans to and from School (DCF-P-PFS4088)

What You Should Know About CCA-Pressure-Treated Wood for Decks, Playgrounds, and Picnic Tables resource

 

Day Camps 

Entire Day Camp Manual

Day Camp Manual in separate parts

DCF 252 - Preface & Table of Contents

DCF 252.02 - Authority and Purpose

DCF 252.03 - Included & Excluded Care Arrangements

DCF 252.04 - Definitions

DCF 252.05 - Licensing Administration

DCF 252.06 - Complaints, Inspections & Enforcement Actions

DCF 252.07 - Non-Discrimination, Confidentiality, & Reporting Child Abuse or Neglect

DCF 252.08 - Pets and Other Animals

DCF 252.09 - Transportation

DCF 252.41 - Operational Requirements for Day Camps

DCF 252.42 - Personnel

DCF 252.425 - Supervision & Grouping of Children

DCF 252.43 - Base Camp & Facilities

DCF 252.44 - Program

Index

D Resources List

Car Safety Seat Information (Car Safety Seat Check-Up)

Center Medication and Injury Log - Directions for Use (DCF-P-5185) English / Spanish

Child Care Background Check (CBC) FAQ - Licensed Child Care

Child Care Weather Watch - Wisconsin

Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting in Child Care Centers (DCF-P-5201)

Collaborative Child Care Program - Frequently Asked Questions

Common Plants - What's Poisonous

Communicable Disease Chart & Order Info

Counselor-to-Child Ratio While Swimming Worksheet - Day Camps for Children (DCF-F-2455)

Counselor-to-Child Ratio Worksheet - Day Camps for Children (DCF-F-2424)

Credit to Hours Conversion - Technical Colleges and Universities

Daily Attendance Record - Licensed Child Care Centers (DCF-F-2438)

DCF Approved Agencies Offering Non-Credit Child Care Courses (DCF-P-5202)

Early Years Are Learning Years - Time Out For "Time Out"

Food Storage Chart

Guidance for Child Care Providers Regarding Lead-Based Paint Hazards in Child Care Settings

Instructions for Obtaining Forms - Day Camps for Children (DCF-P-2456)

It Shouldn't Hurt to be a Child... Report Child Abuse and Neglect (DCF-P-PFS0101) EnglishSpanish

Managing Crying, Fussing or Distraught Children (information packet)

OSHA Regulations on Bloodborne Pathogens

Prevention of Exposure to Blood and Body Fluids 

Required Items for Day Camps for Children (DCF-F-5422)

Situations that Require Medical Attention Right Away

The Registry Administrator Credential

The Registry Career Levels 

Together Children Grow - Quality Child Care for Children with Special Needs English / Spanish

Transportation of Children in 10+ Passenger Vans To and From School (DCF-P-PFS4088)

What You Should Know About CCA-Pressure-Treated Wood for Decks, Playgrounds, and Picnic Tables resource