June 11 Child Care Provider Updates

Expression of Interest Tool is Live!

The Department of Children and Families is excited to announce that the Expression of Interest tool is live! The Expression of Interest is a tool for individuals who are considering applying for child care regulation that will assist with gathering information on potential applicants, tracking the application process, and prevent loss of contact between the applicant and pre-licensing staff or certification workers.

The Expression of Interest tool is available in the Child Care Provider Portal (CCPP). Once an Expression of Interest is submitted, a representative from a pre-licensing agency will establish communication with the applicant and help them move through the next steps in becoming a regulated child care provider.

If you have any questions regarding the Expression of Interest tool, please contact BECR Central Office at 608-421-7550. Read more about Starting a Licensed Child Care.

Reminder: More YoungStar Listening Session Dates Scheduled – Join Us!

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.

We want to hear from you!

Register to attend one of the upcoming listening sessions. 

  • Wednesday, June 12 from 6-8 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Madison at the American Center, Madison, WI
    Read the flyer for details.
    Registration is required. Register to attend.
     
  • Cancelled - Thursday, June 13 - Black River Falls, WI
     
  • Monday, June 17 from 6-7:30 p.m. Virtual Listening Session via Zoom
    Read the flyer for details.
    Registration is required. Register to attend.
     
  • Miércoles, 26 de junio - 6-7:30 p.m. – Español - Sesión de escucha virtual vía Zoom
    Lea el folleto para obtener más detalles.
    Es necesario registrarse. Regístrese para la sesión de escucha del 26 de junio.
    • Qué puede esperar
      • Este programa se impartirá en español.
      • A partir de las 6 p.m., los participantes aprenderán sobre el trabajo de DCF para actualizar YoungStar y se les pedirá que compartan sus ideas sobre la calidad del cuidado infantil.
      • Los educadores de cuidado infantil pueden obtener créditos del Registro de Wisconsin por su participación.

What to Expect at In-Person Sessions

  • All above in-person sessions will be in English.
  • Food will be provided between 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
  • Beginning at 6:30 p.m., participants will learn about DCF’s work to update YoungStar and will be asked to share their thoughts about child care quality.
  • Child care educators can get Wisconsin Registry credit for their participation.

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.

Tuesday Talks – May Recording Now Available

Did you miss the May Tuesday Talks with DECE? The link to the May talk on Child Care Counts Round 5, Child Care Foundational Training, and YoungStar Analysis and Listening Sessions is now available in the May 21, 2024 accordion on the Tuesday Talks with DECE Recordings webpage.

Tuesday Talks with DECE are held the third Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. The next webinar is Tuesday, June 18 at 1:30 p.m. and we will discuss Child Care Counts and Background Check Updates. Visit the DCF Tuesday Talks with DECE webpage to access the Zoom link and learn about future topics.

Learn more about Tuesday Talks on the DCF website. Información de las charlas del martes en español.

Reminder: May Child Care Counts Update Period is Closed

The latest payment program update period is closed. Applications for the May Child Care Counts: Stabilization Payment Program are being reviewed. Providers will be notified of their eligibility for funds by June 14, 2024, via a payment letter uploaded to the Child Care Provider Portal.

The next update period is June 29 – July 7, 2024. 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.

Child Care Counts Información en español.

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.

  • Budgeting at Its Best: When Your Heart and Brain Meet Head On and Using Your Program's Protective Gear: Policies, Contracts, and Risk Management – hosted by WECA and YoungStar Connect. Registration details in the information flyer.
    • June 12-13 | In-Person – Eagle River
    • June 22 | In-Person – Eau Claire
    • June 22 | In-Person – Milwaukee
    • June 29 | In-Person – Green Bay
  • Tantrums, Breakdowns, and Meltdowns Webinar from Parents Place
    Learn how to manage them when they happen and prevent them from happening.

Questions? Contact Ann-Marie St John at 262-549-5575 or astjohn@parentsplacewi.org.