April 30 Child Care Provider Updates

Don’t Forget to Submit Your Get Kids Ready Program Eligibility Verification Application

If you submitted your Intent to Participate in the 2026-27 Get Kids Ready school year, the next step in the participation process is to submit your Program Eligibility Verification Application by May 15.

Providers who do not submit this application will not be able to participate in the 2026-27 Get Kids Ready school year, regardless of if they meet the eligibility requirements.

If you have questions regarding the application or requirements, we recommend you review the resources below:

Additionally, DCF has several partner organizations who provide direct support to child care providers which can help with preparing and planning for Get Kids Ready. View a full list of Technical Assistance organizations on our website. Below are some specific organizations that may be helpful with Get Kids Ready: 

Lastly, we will be offering one final Office Hours session on May 6 at 1:30 p.m. for providers who did submit their Intent to Participate in the 2026-27 school year. Please complete the Zoom registration in advance if you would like to attend this session. 

If you still have questions, please submit an inquiry form.

If you did not submit your Intent to Participate by February 1, then you cannot participate in the 2026-27 school year, but may be able to submit for future school years during upcoming Intent to Participate periods. Learn more on the Get Kids Ready webpage for child care providers.

Child Care Info Review Now Open!

The “Child Care Info Review” is now open! This survey will help the state understand how changes in child care funding, policies, and programs are affecting programs. 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) asks about current enrollment by age, provider rates, and waitlists. The full BIF will still be released August–November to track trends.

As a thank you, providers who complete the survey will receive a $30 electronic Walmart gift card if completed by May 8, or $15 thereafter (up to 3,500 providers).

*To qualify, you must update your rates and enrollment data. Check your inbox for your unique link from Thriving Wisconsin. The survey will remain open through May 31, 2026.

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

Reminder: Child Care Foundational Trainings and AHT Transition

DCF announced in March that beginning July 1, 2026, the Child Care Foundational Trainings (CCFTs) and the Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) Prevention Training is moving to The Professional Development Network (PDN), a program of the Wisconsin Child Welfare Professional Development System (WCWPDS) at UW-Milwaukee.

All CCFT and AHT course registration and online content will transition from the Wisconsin Registry to PDN. DCF is working together with PDN and the Wisconsin Registry to make this transition as smooth as possible.

Users can access the PDN training calendar to search and register for CCFTs beginning in May 2026. PDN will send course completion to the Wisconsin Registry so providers will continue to have documentation of completion on their Registry certificates or learning records.

As a reminder, the CCFT course hour requirements are also changing after DCF received feedback on the revised trainings. Effective July 1, 2026, the 50-hour courses will be reduced to 45 hours, and the minimum 15-hour face-to-face requirement is reduced to 10 hours. Fundamentals of Family Child Care will stay the same.

See our Child Care Foundational Training webpage for complete details and FAQs. More information about the transition will be shared in upcoming DCF communications. Any questions may be directed to DCFDECECCTraining@wisconsin.gov.

April Child Care Bridge Payments Update Period is Closed

The latest payment program update period is closed. Applications for the April Child Care Bridge Payments are being reviewed. Providers will be notified of their eligibility for funds by May 8, 2026, via a payment letter uploaded to the Child Care Provider Portal. April  payment amounts will also be posted to the How Payments are Determined webpage on May 8.

The next update/application period is May 23-31, 2026.

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.

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.

  • 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