May 14 Child Care Provider Updates

Reminder: Participate in the YoungStar Analysis and Update Project 

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is doing an analysis and update of YoungStar, Wisconsin’s child care quality rating and improvement system (QRIS). Our goal is to make YoungStar a more effective tool for setting meaningful expectations for child care quality, communicating information about child care quality to parents and caregivers, and supporting child care programs to meet quality expectations. Read more about the project.

Register to attend one of the upcoming listening sessions. 

Wednesday, May 22 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Marathon County Public Library.
Read the flyer for details.
Registration is required. Register to attend.   

Thursday, June 6 from 6-8 p.m. at the Oneida Hotel in Ashwaubenon, near Green Bay, WI.
Read the flyer for details.
Registration is required. Register to attend.

Stay tuned for more information on these and other listening sessions across the state.  

Take our survey for parents and caregivers, providers, educators, and child care stakeholders.

Reminder: Today – Public Hearing on Draft Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) Plan Federal Fiscal Year 2025-27

The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) is holding a Public Hearing via Zoom today, May 14, 2024, from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The purpose of the public hearing is to solicit verbal or written comments from the public on DCF’s proposed Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) State Plan, which is Wisconsin’s application for federal CCDF funds. More information about the Public Hearing can be found on the Wisconsin State Legislature website.

The draft CCDF State Plan is located on the Child Care Reports, Plans, and Grants webpage. If you are unable to access the document via the DCF website, you may request that a copy be emailed to you electronically. Those requests should be sent to DCFCCDFStatePlanComments@wisconsin.gov.

Coming Soon - Updated Child Care Foundational Trainings

Starting in June 2024, Training Sponsor Organizations (TSO) will begin offering the revised Child Care Foundational Trainings (CCFT). Many providers complete these trainings to begin their career in child care. The revised courses ensure all individuals entering the field are receiving consistent, high-quality trainings with real-time feedback and discussion with instructors and peers.

Revisions to the trainings include content updates and changes in acceptable delivery formats. The current correspondence method of delivery has been updated to both face-to-face and interactive online methods ensuring trainings continue to be accessible.

Here are key dates you need to know:

  • The revised courses will be available June 1, 2024.
  • December 31, 2024, is the last day to complete the current trainings. Correspondence trainings will no longer be offered after December 31, 2024
  • DCF will be working with Training Sponsor Organizations to offer the revised courses for a reduced cost during this transition. More information coming soon!

Note: Check with your TSO to find out when trainings will be offered in your area. For questions, please email DCFDECECCTraining@wisconsin.gov.

Tuesday Talks – April Recording Correction

During the April Tuesday Talks webinar, there was misinformation given regarding whether or not providers would be charged if they forgot to remove staff members no longer working at their facility from the Child Care Provider Portal. As a child care provider, if you forget to remove staff from your Child Care Provider Portal and an annual background check run, you are responsible for those charges.

The recording has been edited to reflect this change. However, we wanted to make sure those who attended the live webinar also received this updated information.

If you have questions about this, please visit the Child Care Background Check Requirements webpage. You can also watch the edited Tuesday Talks recording on the DCF website.

DCF is Hiring!

The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF), Division of Early Care and Education (DECE), Bureau of Early Care Regulation (BECR), is recruiting to fill a 60% Licensing/Certification Specialist position in Milwaukee, WI. 

This position will evaluate, license, and monitor assigned child care programs (family child care, group child care, day camps) to determine compliance with regulations established by DCF in order to protect and promote the health, safety, and welfare of the children being served. Recommends and participates in taking enforcement actions. Investigate complaints against illegally operating programs and licensed programs as assigned. Provide technical assistance to individuals or groups involved in child care programs. The deadline to apply for this position is May 19, 2024. View all open DCF positions at Wisc.Jobs.

Reminder: Encourage Families to Request their Summer Authorizations 

Do you serve families who utilize Wisconsin Shares Subsidy? With summer fast approaching, this is a great time to encourage your families to use the Parent Portal to request their summer authorization.

Using the MyWIChildCare Parent Portal is a convenient way for your families to request authorizations.

Here are a few things parents can do on the Parent Portal: 

  • View child care authorizations
  • Schedule an appointment for an authorization request (Milwaukee County only)
  • Request a new authorization or make changes to a current authorization
  • Check the balance on your MyWIChildCare EBT card and track your payments
  • Sign up to receive a text message alert on your cell phone when you have a new message in the Parent Portal
  • Track all authorization requests entered in the Parent Portal using the Track My Requests button

For Milwaukee County Providers: Please consider posting the attached flyer where parents will see it or share it in your parent emails or newsletter!

Thank you for helping DCF share family-friendly approaches to managing Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy.

Reminder: April Child Care Counts Update Period is Closed

The latest payment program update period is closed and applications are being reviewed. Providers will be notified of their eligibility for funds by May 17, 2024, via a payment letter uploaded to the Child Care Provider Portal.

The next update period May 25 – June 2, 2024. See the Child Care Counts webpage for more information.

If you need assistance, please email DCFDECECOVID19CCPayments@wisconsin.gov or call and speak with a Support Center Specialist at 608-535-3650.

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. *Registration not required.