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! For more information about how the sale/transition of a child care business from one owner to another impacts Wisconsin Shares, visit the Ensuring Continuity web page. For more information about starting a Certified Child Care Program, contact your local certification agency. We strongly encourage you to access all resources electronically. However, 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. Please read through all content below before you begin the pre-licensing process. Visit the Child Care Foundational Training page to learn about available noncredit child care courses to help you begin your career in child care. 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 / Spanish Barred Offenses - Regulated Child Care (DCF-P-5206) Child Care Background Check Requirements web page. 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 / Spanish / 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 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. If you cannot decide which license type would be best for you, please contact your local Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agency. Provider Assistance for Licensing Program (PAL) Are you seeking licensure in the Northern or Western regions of Wisconsin? The Provider Assistance for Licensing Program (PAL) may be able to help you! The program began accepting applications in January 2023. This program is available to: Increase the number of licensed child care providers in the Northern and Western regions Support prospective or newly licensed child care providers' start-up and long-term sustainability and connect them to available services Increase public awareness about the benefits of licensed child care among providers, families, and community members Read more about the program. Apply for PAL.If you have questions, email WECAPAL@wisconsinearlychildhood.org for assistance. 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. 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 Child Care Information Sessions English / Spanish 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) Supporting Families Together Association (SFTA) brochure English / Spanish 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 Contract Cover Letter 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 Registry’s website 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 Family Child Care Business Startup Worksheet English / Spanish Supporting Families Together Association (SFTA) website 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 / Spanish 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 Child Care Information Sessions English / Spanish 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) Supporting Families Together Association (SFTA) brochure - English / Spanish Policy Checklist – Group Child Care Centers (DCF-F-CFS2048) English / Spanish IRS Tax Identification Number (FEIN) information YoungStar Contract Cover Letter 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 Registry’s website 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 Group Child Care Business Startup Worksheet English / Spanish Supporting Families Together Association (SFTA) website 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 / Spanish 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 Supporting Families Together Association (SFTA) brochure - English / Spanish Policy Checklist – Day Camps (DCF-F-2409) IRS Tax Identification Number (FEIN) information YoungStar Contract Cover Letter 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 / Spanish Initial License Application – Day Camps for Children (DCF-F-CFS0782) 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.
