February 6 Child Care Provider Updates

¿Quiere recibir esta información en español? Suscríbase a nuestra listserv en español.

Federal Funding Questions 

DCF has received a number of questions about the rapidly evolving situation regarding federal funds. At this time, we anticipate Child Care Counts payments going out as scheduled on February 14. 

Wisconsin Shares Child Care Estimator is Now Live

The Wisconsin Shares Child Care Estimator tool is now available. To help families understand their subsidy amounts, DCF developed this new Child Care Subsidy Estimator tool. By estimating their potential subsidy this new tool will:

  • Help parent/caregivers plan their finances, including out-of-pocket costs
  • Help parents make choices about child care in their area

Note: The subsidy estimator does not guarantee families a certain subsidy amount – it is just an estimate. Families still need to apply for Wisconsin Shares with their local agency to receive subsidy and get their final amount. If provider prices are different than what is in the Provider Portal, the subsidy estimator will be less accurate.

Be sure your provider prices are up to date in the Provider Portal. This ensures that families looking for child care will see more accurate subsidy amounts when using the tool. If you have questions about updating your prices, contact your local agency.

Child Care Foundational Trainings: Who to Contact

As of January 1, 2025, the revised Child Care Foundational Trainings are the only noncredit training option for child care providers. With this change comes a lot of questions! Review the contact information below to know who to contact for questions about:

Tuesday Talks – January Recording Now Available

Did you miss the January Tuesday Talks with DECE? The recording for the January talk on YoungStar Analysis Summary and 2025 DECE Preview is now available in the January 21, 2025 accordion on the Tuesday Talks with DECE Recordings webpage. This is where you can access all of the resource links shared during the Talk as well.

Tuesday Talks with DECE are held the third Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. The next webinar is Tuesday, February 18 at 1:30 p.m. and DCF Secretary-designee Jeff Pertl will be giving remarks, including about the Biennial Budget. Other webinar topics will include the YoungStar Quality Adjustment and Reviewing Statements of Non-Compliance (CFS-294). Visit the DCF Tuesday Talks with DECE webpage to access the Zoom link and calendar invitation for the 2025 Tuesday Talks.

DCF is Hiring for the Northern & Northeastern Licensing/Certification Specialist

Are you passionate about supporting the health, safety, and quality care for young children? If you're an experienced child care teacher or early care educator looking to expand your impact beyond the classroom, consider joining our team as a Child Care Licensing Specialist with the Bureau of Early Care Regulation. Professional experience in the early care and education setting is a requirement of this position.

The Division of Early Care and Education (DECE), Bureau of Early Care Regulation (BECR), is currently recruiting to fill a Licensing/Certification Specialist position both in:

  1. Northeastern Region in the Green Bay, WI.
  2. Northern Region located in Rhinelander, WI

These positions are comprised primarily of field work requiring on-site, in-person visits approximately 3-4 days per week. Both have the deadline to apply of February 16, 2025.

Learn more about this position on Wisc.Jobs.

January Child Care Counts Application Period is Closed

The latest payment program update period is closed. Applications for the October Child Care Counts: Stabilization Payment Program are being reviewed. Providers will be notified of their eligibility for funds by February 14, 2025, via a payment letter uploaded to the Child Care Provider Portal.

The next update period is March 1-9, 2025. See the Child Care Counts Calendar for future Count and Update Weeks.

If you need assistance, please email DCFDECECOVID19CCPayments@wisconsin.gov or call and speak with a Support Center Specialist at 608-535-3650, M-F 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Upcoming Events and Education/Training Opportunities

The below events are hosted by DCF, one of its partners, or is one that may be relevant to the early childhood field. Click/tap on the titles below to learn more about each event.

  • 2025 Early Childhood Educators Conference – featuring Stuart Stotts!

    • Join the conference for a day of inspiration, learning, and fun! The conference features author, singer, educator - Stuart Stotts; and a breakout session with Stacy Stenz, “Understanding the Developing Brain.”
    • Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Northcentral Technical College – Wausau Campus.
    • Register by February 14 for just $30; regular registration is $40. Limited scholarship funding is available – up to $15 reimbursement. If you need assistance, contact NTC at: ce@ntc.edu or 715-803-1243. Spanish interpretation is not available.

  • Attention Family Child Care Owners and Group Child Care Directors!

    • Do you wish you had better control over your child care program’s finances?
    • Are you a family child care owner looking for someone to talk to about your program challenges?
    • Are you a new director eager to enhance your business management skills?
    • Would you love a supportive “guide on the side” to help you develop efficient systems?
    • WEESSN Plus Coaching – a free offering from WECA – was designed with YOU in mind! You’ll be paired with an experienced coach who understands your challenges and can help you save time, manage finances, and develop effective systems. We're here to support you every step of the way. Learn more and join today!

  • Child Care Foundational Trainings (Revised 2024)

    • The Child Care Foundational Trainings (CCFT) are for any individuals looking to enter the child care workforce. The Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) Network offers these trainings in a variety of formats, including in-person, online (virtual), and in a blended format. Visit Supporting Families Together Associations website for a full list of all CCFT courses currently scheduled.