Starting a Licensed Child Care Thank you for your interest in starting a licensed child care center – providing care to Wisconsin’s children is a valuable service to families and the community! Take your time reading through our many resources and tips to help you with your decision to become a regulated child care provider. DCF is here to help you through your journey – every step of the way! And, we have partnered with teams across the state to help guide you. Get connected with us early on in your journey to get help, resources, answers to your questions, and more! For more information about starting a Certified Child Care Program, visit our Child Care Certification webpage. What type of child care license should I obtain? Family Child Care - DCF 250 A child care program that provides care and supervision for less than 24 hours a day for at least 4 and not more than 8 children who are not related to the provider. Group Child Care - DCF 251 A child care program that provides care and supervision for less than 24 hours a day for 9 or more children who are not related to the provider. Day Camps for Children - DCF 252 A child care program that provides 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 less than 24 hours a day. Child Care Regulation Fees See the Child Care Regulation Fees page for information regarding the different types of fees associated with child care licensing. Get Connected and Submit your Expression of Interest Submit your Expression of Interest to get connected to a representative. You can submit your interest by setting up your account in the Child Care Provider Portal. The Expression of Interest form will collect basic information, like name, address, email, and what type of child are you are interested in starting. You will then be connected to your local pre-licensing or certification agency for support along your journey to becoming a regulated child care provider. Expression of Interest Information Access the Expression of Interest (EOI) User Guide (DCF-P-5762) Access the Child Care Provider Portal (CCPP) Online Licensing/Certification Applications User Guide (DCF-P-5768) Access/log in to the Child Care Provider Portal (CCPP) Am I eligible to open or start a child care business? Child Care Background Check Law The child care background check law, Wis. Stat. 48.686, prohibits licensure when a license applicant, household member, or employee has a conviction or pending charges for certain serious crimes or a substantiated finding of abuse or neglect. Review the department’s resources for information about crimes and offenses that could impact your ability to obtain a license: Potential Barriers to Obtaining a Child Care License (DCF-P-2562) English Potential Barriers to Obtaining a Child Care License (DCF-P-2562) Spanish Barred Offenses - Regulated Child Care (DCF-P-5206) Child Care Background Check Requirements webpage. See the Training and Information section for links to the Checklists and Role Chart. To find out if you or any adult who resides at your proposed child care center has anything in their record that could be a barrier to licensure, you may want to complete background checks in advance for yourself and each adult household resident. Several options for this include: Background Check Request (DCF-F-5296) English Background Check Request (DCF-F-5296s) Spanish Background Check Request (DCF-F-5296h) Hmong Circuit Court Automation Program Record Search National Sex Offender Registry iChildCare Portal website for prospective applicants, employees, or household members Delinquent Taxes or Unemployment Insurance Contributions Wis. Stat. 48.715 (7) requires the department to deny an application for a child care license if the applicant is liable for delinquent taxes or for delinquent unemployment insurance contributions. If you have been certified delinquent, contact: For taxes: Wisconsin Department of Revenue For unemployment insurance contributions: Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Inquiry Packets Once you have determined the type of center that you want to open, carefully read through all inquiry packet materials below related to obtaining this license. If you would prefer a printed version of the inquiry packet, please complete and submit the Ordering Information - Child Care Licensing Inquiry Packets form English / Spanish. Contact your pre-licensing agency with any questions. Family Child Care - DCF 250 Inquiry Packet Materials After you have reviewed the information above and determined you would like to open a family child care center, please review the procedure document below in its entirety before you begin the pre-licensing process. All necessary forms and publications are linked in this document as well as listed below. Procedure for Obtaining an Initial License to Operate a Family Child Care Center (DCF-P-PFS4066) English / Spanish Preparation DCF 250 Licensing Rules for Family Child Care Centers with Commentary Initial Licensing Checklist – Family Child Care Centers (DCF-F-CFS2241) English / Spanish Child Care Email Subscription Your Child Care - Is It Legal? (DCF-P-PFS503) English / Spanish Important Resources for Child Care Providers Physical Premises Choose Safe Places: Helping Child Care Provider Applicants Choose Environmentally Safe Places (DHS F-02410) English / Spanish / Hmong Forms may also be submitted online. Family Day Care Homes - Milwaukee Requirements & Analysis Form (for facilities in the City of Milwaukee) Occupancy Permit - City of Racine (for facilities in the City of Racine located in a residence) Vehicle Safety Requirements Equipment and Furnishing Resources Department of Natural Resources website Business Model Child Care Resource and Referral Agency (CCR&R) Child Care Information Center (CCIC) Policy Checklist – Family Child Care Centers (DCF-F-CFS2356) English / Spanish Policy Sample – Family Child Care Centers Word / PDF IRS Tax Identification Number (FEIN) information YoungStar: Wisconsin's child care rating and improvement system YoungStar Contract – Family, Group, School-Age, and Day Camp Programs (DCF-F-5109) English / Spanish Early Childhood Health Consultation Services are available to help child care providers achieve best practices in child health and safety. For more information visit the ECHC webpage and see the flyer. This service is provided through a partnership between University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Department of Children and Families. Staffing & Administration Training Resources and Educational Requirements The Wisconsin Registry Background Check Requirements iChildCare Portal Required Items for Family Child Care Centers (DCF-P-5414) Child Care Licensing Forms and Publications Pre-Licensing Technical Assistance Based on your county and licensing region found in the map above select either the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA) or 4C For Children worksheet below. For those in the northern and southeastern licensing regions: WECA Family Child Care worksheet: English Formulario para iniciar un programa de cuidado infantil familiar (WECA Family Child Care Worksheet in Spanish) WECA pre-licensing webpage For those in the northeastern, southern, and western licensing regions: 4C start up worksheet 4C webpage Submitting the Application Child Care Licensing Contacts Initial Licensing Checklist – Family Child Care Centers (DCF-F-CFS2241) English / Spanish Policy Checklist – Family Child Care Centers (DCF-F-CFS2356) English / Spanish Applicant / Licensee Rights and Responsibilities (DCF-P-PFS0602) English Note: After completing pre-licensing, your Pre-Licensing Technical Consultant will provide you with an application. Coming next year, the application will be online...stay tuned for updates! Group Child Care - DCF 251 Inquiry Packet Materials After you have reviewed the information above and determined you would like to open a group child care center, please review the procedure document below in its entirety before you begin the pre-licensing process. All necessary forms and publications are linked in this document as well as listed below. Procedure for Obtaining an Initial License to Operate a Group Child Care Center (DCF-P-PFS3066) English / Spanish Preparation DCF 251 Licensing Rules for Group Child Care Centers with Commentary Initial Licensing Checklist – Group Child Care Centers (DCF-F-2242) English / Spanish Child Care Email Subscription Your Child Care - Is It Legal? (DCF-P-PFS503) English / Spanish Important Resources for Child Care Providers Physical Premises Choose Safe Places: Helping Child Care Provider Applicants Choose Environmentally Safe Places (DHS F-02410) English / Spanish / Hmong Forms may also be submitted online. Occupancy Permit - City of Racine (for facilities in the City of Racine located in a residence) Vehicle Safety Requirements Department of Natural Resources website Building Inspection Report - Licensed Child Care Centers (DCF-F-CFS2344) Business Model Child Care Resource and Referral Agency (CCR&R) Child Care Information Center Policy Checklist – Group Child Care Centers (DCF-F-CFS2048) English / Spanish IRS Tax Identification Number (FEIN) information YoungStar: Wisconsin's child care rating and improvement system YoungStar Contract – Family, Group, School-Age, and Day Camp Programs (DCF-F-5109) English / Spanish Early Childhood Health Consultation Services are available to help child care providers achieve best practices in child health and safety. For more information visit the ECHC webpage and see the flyer. This service is provided through a partnership between University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Department of Children and Families. Staffing & Administration Training Resources and Educational Requirements The Wisconsin Registry Background Check Requirements iChildCare Portal Required Items for Group Child Care Centers (DCF-P-5421) Child Care Licensing Forms and Publications Pre-Licensing Technical Assistance Based on your county and licensing region found in the map above select either the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA) or 4C For Children worksheet below. For those in the northern and southeastern licensing regions: WECA Group Child Care worksheet: English WECA Group Child Care worksheet: Spanish WECA pre-licensing landing page For those in the northeastern, southern, and western licensing regions: 4C start up worksheet 4C landing page Submitting the Application Child Care Licensing Contacts Initial Licensing Checklist – Group Child Care Centers (DCF-F-2242) English / Spanish Policy Checklist – Group Child Care Centers (DCF-F-CFS2048) English / Spanish Applicant / Licensee Rights and Responsibilities (DCF-P-PFS0602) English Note: After completing pre-licensing, your Pre-Licensing Technical Consultant will provide you with an application. Coming next year, the application will be online...stay tuned for updates! Day Camps for Children - DCF 252 Inquiry Packet Materials After you have reviewed the information above and determined you would like to open a day camp for children, please review the procedure document below in its entirety before you begin the pre-licensing process. All necessary forms and publications are linked in this document as well as listed below. Procedure for Obtaining an Initial License to Operate a Day Camp for Children (DCF-P-PFS4065) English / Spanish Preparation DCF 252 Licensing Rules for Day Camps for Children with Commentary Initial Licensing Checklist – Day Camps (DCF-F-CFS0070) English / Spanish Child Care Email Subscription Your Child Care - Is It Legal? (DCF-P-PFS503) English / Spanish Important Resources for Child Care Providers Physical Premises Choose Safe Places: Helping Child Care Provider Applicants Choose Environmentally Safe Places (DHS F-02410) English / Spanish / Hmong Forms may also be submitted online. Vehicle Safety Requirements Department of Natural Resources website Building Inspection Report - Licensed Child Care Centers (DCF-F-CFS2344) Business Model Policy Checklist – Day Camps (DCF-F-2409) IRS Tax Identification Number (FEIN) information YoungStar: Wisconsin's child care rating and improvement system YoungStar Contract – Family, Group, School-Age, and Day Camp Programs (DCF-F-5109) English / Spanish Early Childhood Health Consultation Services are available to help child care providers achieve best practices in child health and safety. For more information visit the ECHC webpage and see the flyer. This service is provided through a partnership between University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Department of Children and Families. Staffing & Administration Training Resources and Educational Requirements Background Check Requirements iChildCare Portal Required Items for Day Camps for Children (DCF-P-5422) Child Care Licensing Forms and Publications Submitting the Application Child Care Licensing Contacts Initial Licensing Checklist – Day Camps (DCF-F-CFS0070) English / Spanish Policy Checklist – Day Camps (DCF-F-2409) iChildCare Portal Applicant / Licensee Rights and Responsibilities (DCF-P-PFS0602) English Initial License Application – Day Camps for Children (DCF-F-CFS0782) Note: After completing pre-licensing, your Pre-Licensing Technical Consultant will provide you with an application. Coming next year, the application will be online...stay tuned for updates! Begin the Pre-Licensing Process Pre-Licensing Technical Assistance What is the pre-licensing technical assistance program? The pre-licensing technical assistance program provides support for potential applicants interested in operating a licensed family or licensed group child care center. Potential applications receive individualized support throughout the application process. This support includes: One-on-one work with a technical consultant Policy review Business planning On-site physical premises visits And more! Pre-Licensing Technical Consultants Who are the Pre-Licensing Technical Consultants? DCF has contracted with the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA) and 4C for Children to assist anyone interested in becoming a Wisconsin regulated child care provider. Their pre-licensing staff will meet with you to go over everything you need to consider when starting a child care business. Contact the organization covering your area of Wisconsin for assistance. Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA) Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA) administers this program in the northern (NRO) and southeastern (SERO) licensing regions. 4C For Children 4C For Children administers the program in the northeastern (NERO), southern (SRO), and western (WRO) licensing regions. Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA) Serves these licensing regions: Northern Southeastern Phone: 608-620-8165Email: pre-licensing@wisconsinearlychildhood.orgWebsite: WECA Pre-Licensing 4C For Children Serves these licensing regions: Northeastern Southern Western Phone: 414-562-2650Email: 4c@4cfc.orgWebsite: 4C for Children Pre-licensing Veterans Professional Occupational Licensure Fee Waiver Program If you are a veteran, you may be eligible to have your initial child care license fee waived. Check out the Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs website to see if you qualify.
