January 8 - Special Listserv

Submit Your Get Kids Ready Intent to Participate by February 1!

The Get Kids Ready Intent to Participate for the 2026-27 school year is now available in the DCF Provider Portal and must be submitted by child care providers no later than February 1, 2026. Child care providers who do not submit an Intent to Participate by February 1, 2026, will not be able to participate in Get Kids Ready for the 2026-2027 school year.

During the Intent to Participate, child care providers will need to: 

  • Enter contact information.
  • Indicate the maximum number of slots they plan on making available for Get Kids Ready. This will be the maximum number of slots they can receive payment for during the school year.
  • Attest that they understand and agree to meet all Get Kids Ready eligibility and application requirements, including:
    • Child care programs must be in compliance with all legal, financial, and regulatory requirements imposed by law or administrative rule.
    • Child care programs must implement a curriculum that meets the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS) for children participating in Get Kids Ready.
    • Children being served in Get Kids Ready for the 2026-2027 school year must be 4 years old on or before September 1, 2026.
    • Lead teachers providing instruction for Get Kids Ready must have an associate degree or bachelor’s degree, in any field of study.
    • Child care programs must provide at least 437 hours of instruction in elementary school readiness to children participating in Get Kids Ready between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027.
    • Child care programs may not have a contract with a school district to provide 4-year-old kindergarten for the 2026-2027 school year. 

After the Intent to Participate is submitted by February 1, 2026, child care providers will be required to verify they meet eligibility requirements in a Program Eligibility Verification Application, which opens in April 2026 and is due by May 15, 2026. 

Additionally, the following materials are also now available on the DCF website and linked below:

If you have any questions, please submit them through the Get Kids Ready Inquiry form. For more information visit the Get Kids Ready webpage for child care providers.