September 4 Child Care Provider Updates Tuesday Talks – August Recording Now Available Did you miss the August Tuesday Talks with DECE? The recording for the August talk updates on the Biennial Budget and Child Care Bridge Payments is now available in the August 19, 2025 accordion on the Tuesday Talks with DECE Recordings webpage. This is where you can access all 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, September 16 at 1:30 p.m. and will feature Child Care Bridge Payments and the Wisconsin Registry. Visit the DCF Tuesday Talks with DECE webpage to access the Zoom link and calendar invitation for the 2025 Tuesday Talks. It’s Time to Complete Your Business Information Form! All regulated child care providers in Wisconsin are encouraged to complete the Business Information Form (BIF) survey sent by your local Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agency. This survey supports crucial understanding about child care prices, enrollment, vacancies, and wages. Information from the BIF is used in: Helping ensure that Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy payment rates are sufficient to help families access child care, through the Market Rate Survey process. Understanding wages and compensation of the child care workforce. Highlighting needs for child care and child care educators. Providing up-to-date information on the Child Care Finder. Supporting local families searching for child care. Thank you for being a part of the effort to strengthen child care for all Wisconsin families. For additional information, please contact your local CCR&R. August Child Care Bridge Payments Update Period is Closed The latest payment program update period is closed. Applications for the August Child Care Bridge Payments are being reviewed. Providers will be notified of their eligibility for funds by September 12, 2025, via a payment letter uploaded to the Child Care Provider Portal. August payment amounts will also be posted to the How Payments are Determined webpage on September 12. The next update/application period is September 20-28, 2025. Funds received under this program must be spent within 120 days of the date of Payment Letter for the given month. Child Care Bridge Payment August 2025 funds must be spent by January 10, 2026. Reminder: Child Care Counts April 2025 funds must be spent by September 27, 2025. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Child Care Payments Support Center by 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. Reminder: DCF is Hiring for the Northern Licensing/Certification Specialist Are you passionate about supporting the health, safety, and quality of 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. The Division of Early Care and Education (DECE), Bureau of Early Care Regulation (BECR), is currently recruiting to fill a Licensing/Certification Specialist position in our Northern Region headquartered in Rhinelander, WI. Our Northern regional office is located at 2187 N. Stevens St. in Rhinelander, WI and is comprised primarily of field work requiring on-site, in-person visits approximately 3-4 days per week within the region. DCF has fleet vehicles available for use for required travel. Hybrid work options will be discussed further during the interview. Employees will be required to report to Madison, WI or Milwaukee, WI on their first day of employment. High-speed internet access is required to meet the needs of hybrid work. Come see why DCF is such a great place to work! The deadline to apply is September 15, 2025. Learn more about this position on Wisc.Jobs. 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 Spark Retreat – Learning 4 Life Join Learning 4 Life’s Spark Retreat for a weekend retreat! This two-night, all-inclusive getaway was created especially for family child care providers who are ready to pause, recharge, and reconnect with their “why” in this work. September 12-14, 2025 | Chippewa Falls, WI | Learn more and register. Questions? Contact Michelle at 715-721-4844 or email l4lhappylearning@gmail.com Virtual: Little Connections: Building Relationships to Support Infant and Toddler Learning This training is designed for child providers, focusing on fostering a child’s inner drive to learn through respectful and responsive caregiving practices using the Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE) method. Spanish interpretation is not available. Virtual | September 17 | 6-7:30 p.m. Register through the Wisconsin Registry. | Registration closes on September 14, 2025. Questions? Contact Kim Yehle at kyehle@youngstarconnect.com. Give Child Care Business Coaching Another Look Did you work with a WEESSN Business Coach in the past? Do you miss the one-on-one support? Ready to make some changes and take your business to the next level? Come back to Wisconsin Early Education Shared Services Network! Check out all the details on WECA's website.
