April 16 Child Care Provider Updates

40 Percent Rule Operations Memo and Updates

Reminder: when accepting Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy, please remember, no more than 40 percent of children in care can be the children of the provider or the employee’s children. For more information, please see Operations Memo 26-10 40 Percent Rule Monitoring Policy.

Online Staff-to-Child Ratio Calculators

DCF has created online staff-to-child ratio calculators for all licensed child care programs. These new tools are a great way for programs to determine mixed-age ratio calculations without needing to use the worksheet and do the math themselves. The ratio calculators will determine the total numerical weight and the number of staff required for each group of children. It will also show a flag when the number of children entered into the calculator exceeds the maximum group size.

Note: The Family Child Care Ratio Calculator is available online with the revised ratios. However, these will not go into effect until August 2026. We encourage licensed family providers to begin using the calculator to become familiar with the new method of determining ratios and think about whether they can or want to increase their licensed capacity.

Get Ready for the April Child Care Bridge Payments Update Period

The next update/application period starts soon: April 18-26, 2026. Organize your records now so you are ready for the next Child Care Bridge Payments Update/Application Week. You must review and update your application every month. See the Child Care Payments Calendar for future Count and Update Weeks.

Update Week Application Resources

Support Center

Please send your questions to the Child Care Payments mailbox: DCFDECECOVID19CCPayments@wisconsin.gov and include your name, phone number, provider number, and details of your question in your email. A Support Center specialist will reply as soon as possible. Support Center hours are 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. M-F.

Reminder: Child Care Info Review Survey Coming in May!

Thriving Wisconsin, together with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) Network, is launching the “Child Care Info Review” Survey in May. This survey will help ensure decision makers and the public have access to up-to-date information on child care access and affordability. Your participation ensures your program is represented and provides a clear picture of child care trends across Wisconsin to support awareness and planning.

This shorter version of the annual Business Information Form (BIF) will ask about enrollment by age, provider rates, and waitlists. The full BIF will still be released August–November to track trends.

Help track how Child Care Bridge Payments impact your program! Complete the survey by May 8 and receive a $30 digital gift card as a thank you. If you complete the survey after May 8, you’ll receive a $15 digital gift card (up to 3,500 providers). The survey will remain open through May 31, 2026.

For questions, contact Cassandra Gamble at cassandra@thrivingwi.org or 608-443-2120.

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.

  • Virtual: Stress and Resilience: Strengthening Well-Being for Early Childhood Professionals
    • This course offers early childhood educators strategies to recognize stressors and explore ways to build resilience in both their personal and professional lives. Participants will consider practical approaches to finding balance and maintaining a positive outlook in their work.
    • Live session | Wednesday, April 29, 2026 | 12:30-2 p.m.
    • Register through the Wisconsin Registry. | Registration closes on April 26, 2026.
    • Questions? Contact Kalli Leutenegger.
       
  • The Wisconsin Early Childhood Partners Spotlight Series
    • This series highlights resources and organizations that support families with young children, early education providers, and the children they nurture, helping them all thrive. Open to all!
    • Wednesday, May 20: 1-2 p.m. | Register for the Partner Spotlight Series.
    • Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation (Well Badger)
    • Choose Safe Places
    • Wisconsin Family Child Care Association
    • The series is hosted by Thriving Wisconsin and the Child Care Resource & Referral Network through funding from the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families “Child Care Resource & Referral” grant.
       
  • Conscious Discipline® Building Safety Through Composure and Assertiveness 
    • Safety – emotional and physical – is the foundation for learning and connection.
    • WEESSN is hosting three full-day, in-person trainings May 30 in Madison (English and Spanish) and Stevens Point (English), earning six hours of Registry credit.  
    • Cost: $25 | Lunch and program materials included
    • Read the training flyer to learn more and register. | Registration closes May 18, 2026. 
    • Questions?Email eapweessn@wisconsinearlychildhood.org