October 15 Child Care Provider Updates

Small Changes. Safer Sleep. Save an Infant's Life.

Join us on October 20, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. for more information about Safe Sleep at Tuesday Talks with DECE!

Here are a few steps child care providers can take to help reduce the risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) and SIDS.

  • ✅Update your safe sleep policies and procedures.
  • ✅Introduce 10-15 minute Sleep Checks for every sleeping infant.
  • ✅Provide ongoing training and consider an annual safe sleep continuing education.
  • ✅Reduce the volume of white noise so you can hear an infant and can respond quickly.
  • ✅Ensure adequate lighting in nap rooms. Leave nap room lights on or dimly lit to ensure effective supervision of sleeping infants.
  • ✅Evaluate products and devices to ensure they are consistent with safe sleep recommendations.

If you have any questions, reach out to DCFBECRPolicy@wisconsin.gov.

Get Ready for Upcoming Login Changes to iChildCare Portal and Child Care Provider Portal

Providers will soon need a MyWisconsin ID to access the iChildCare Portal and the Child Care Provider Portal.

What is MyWisconsin ID? 

DCF and many other State of Wisconsin organizations are moving towards a single personal account (known as MyWisconsin ID) for each provider to secure private access to participating Wisconsin government resources.

With your single account (MyWisconsin ID) you will be able to access multiple State of Wisconsin applications. Note: The change of the applications that require use of your MyWisconsin ID will occur over time. Not all applications/systems have changed to MyWisconsin ID yet. 

iChildCare Portal Login Change Due October 30

In June, providers/caregivers with an iChildCare Portal account were notified that they would need a MyWisconsin ID to continue accessing the iChildCare Portal after June 26, 2026. You must transfer your existing iChildCare account to a MyWisconsin ID before October 30, 2026, or you risk complete loss of access to your iChildCare account. If you lose access to your iChildCare account, you will need to re-establish your account and will lose all previous information and data. Please note the deadline to transition your account is earlier than previously communicated. Learn more about the Wisconsin iChildCare Portal on the DCF website.

What Do I Need to Do for iChildCare? 

  • If you already have a MyWisconsin ID, you are all set. Use that ID to login and access the iChildCare Portal. Follow the account transfer instructions in our iChildCare Login Instruction Guide to transfer your existing iChildCare account to your new MyWisconsin ID login before October 30, 2026.
  • If you do not have a MyWisconsin ID, you must create a new account to login and access the iChildCare Portal to transition your account before October 30, 2026. Go to the MyWisconsin ID webpage, and click on the Sign Up link.
    • After you create your MyWisconsin ID, follow the account transfer instructions in our iChildCare Login Instruction Guide to transfer your existing iChildCare account to your new MyWisconsin ID login.
       

Child Care Provider Portal Login Change Coming in Late Fall

In late 2026, providers who have a Child Care Provider Portal account(s) will need a MyWisconsin ID to access the Provider Portal. Continue reading if you want to access the Provider Portal to submit and view background checks, view and manage Wisconsin Shares authorizations, update prices, report closures, view YoungStar and licensing/certification information, apply for Get Kids Ready payment, and more.

What Do I Need to Do for Child Care Provider Portal? 

  • If you already have a MyWisconsin ID, you are all set. Use that ID to login and access the Provider Portal starting in late 2026. 
  • If you do not have a MyWisconsin ID, you must create a new account to login and access the Provider Portal. Go to the MyWisconsin ID webpage, and click on the Sign Up link.
  • View the MyWisconsin ID Create an Account webpage for step-by-step instructions on creating a MyWisconsin ID.
  • Watch for a future training video for instructions to link your Provider Portal account to your MyWisconsin ID.
     

DCF encourages all providers using the Child Care Provider Portal to create their MyWisconsin ID right away. Be sure to save your password!

Letters will be sent to all Provider Portal users to notify them of this change. Please share this information with your staff by posting it in your facility or sharing it during your staff meetings.

Helpful MyWisconsin ID Resources

Updated Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Training

The Wisconsin Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care training and resources have a new home! While the Department of Health Services continues to house the Ten Steps to Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Centers Resource Kit, YoungStar Connect now houses the Wisconsin Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Provider Training (online) and additional supportive resources. The updated training is automatically linked to Wisconsin Registry for easier access to continuing education hours.

*Of note: As of October 2026, the training has been updated in English. The Spanish version of the training is currently undergoing revisions and will be posted to the same training page when ready.

After much deliberation, we have decided to end the Wisconsin Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care statewide recognition program. Please reach out to Kelli Stader or to the YoungStar Connect help desk with any questions.

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: Social and Emotional Development: A Learning Collaborative
    • YoungStar Connect presents Social and Emotional Development: A Learning Collaborative, an opportunity to bring professionals together to explore proactive, evidence-based practices that promote positive social and emotional outcomes for all children. Participants will have the opportunity to learn alongside colleagues, reflect on high-quality practices, and gain ideas they can apply in their own settings.
    • Live sessions | Monthly every Tuesday | 12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m.
    • Register through the Wisconsin Registry
    • Questions? Contact Kalli Leutenegger.
       
  • November CCFT Opportunities from the CCR&R Network
    • The Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) Network is offering several Child Care Foundational Training (CCFT) opportunities this November.
    • For a complete list of training and coaching opportunities available through the CCR&R Network, view the Training & Coaching Catalog.
    • Introduction to the Child Care Profession – Blended/Virtual
    • Skills & Strategies for the Child Care Teacher – Blended /Virtual | English only
    • Fundamentals of Infant & Toddler Care – Blended/Virtual
    • Principles of Child Care Certification – Blended/Virtual | English only