› Group Child Care Find Child Care steps Expression of Interest Preparation for Pre-Licensing Pre-Licensing Process Application Process Next Page: Application Submitted 100% Complete Applying for Your Initial License Información en español Congratulations! You’ve made it through the pre-licensing process. Now that you understand and are prepared to meet Wisconsin’s standards for regulated group child care programs, it’s time to apply for an initial license. Your dedicated pre-licensing technical consultant will guide you every step of the way. Want to know what to expect? Check out the details below. Prepare and Submit Your Initial License Application To apply for an initial license, you’ll need to meet all of the requirements outlined in DCF’s Initial Licensing Checklist – Group Child Care Centers. Once your pre-licensing technical consultant signs your completed checklist, you will have six months to complete your application in the Child Care Provider Portal. If you are not able to access the online application, please contact your technical consultant for assistance. You will need to upload copies of additional materials with your application. These include: Your completed Initial Licensing Checklist – Group Child Care Centers, signed by your technical consultant during an on-site visit. Background Check Request forms for the licensee(s), and for those working or residing at your program’s location. The required proof of insurance for your business. A copy of your program’s policies, including a completed Policy Checklist – Group Child Care Centers document. A building inspection report which confirms your building complies with all applicable commercial building codes if necessary. A licensing fee payment of $45.68, which will be applied to your probationary license fee. Any other materials indicated on the last page of the Initial Licensing Checklist – Group Child Care Centers or your initial license application. You can count on guidance and support from your technical consultant even after your initial license application has been submitted. They’ll help you prepare for the next step, an initial licensing on-site visit, while DCF processes your application. Complete an Initial Licensing On-Site Visit After submitting your completed application, please allow up to 60 days for a regional licensing specialist to review your application and contact you to schedule a visit. Note: Projecting an opening date for your business? Note that it may take at least another 60 days after your initial visit before you will be able to open your program. Approved? Get Your Probationary License A probationary license is issued to applicants who meet certain requirements and have not previously been issued a regular license. The fee for a six-month probationary child care license is due when your initial license application is submitted. It is calculated by dividing the two-year licensing fee by four. Currently, Wisconsin’s two-year licensing fee equals $30.25 (base fee) plus $16.94 per child (not to exceed a program’s approved capacity). A group child care program’s probationary fee equals one-fourth the total two-year fee, minus your $45.68 licensing application fee payment.
