December 11 Child Care Provider Updates

Note: There will be no listserv messages on December 22 and 29 due to the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Our regular publishing schedule will resume January 8, 2026.

Get Ready for the December Child Care Bridge Payments Update Period

The next update/application period is December 13-21. Organize your records now so you are ready for the next Child Care Bridge Payments Update/Application Week. You must review and update your application every month. See the Child Care Payments Calendar for future Count and Update Weeks.

Update Week Application Resources

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.

Biennial Budget Update: Ratios and Enhanced Payments Pilots

The 2025-27 Biennial Budget, known as 2025 Wisconsin Act 15, created two new pilot programs to increase access to child care: the Group Child Care Ratios Pilot and Enhanced Payments Pilot.

Beginning January 19, 2026, certification for these two pilots will be available through the Child Care Provider Portal. We’ve recently moved the information for these pilots to a Ratios Pilot and Enhanced Payments Pilot webpage. Read more about the pilots, program details, and updated frequently asked questions on the new webpage. If you still have questions, you can email DCFRatiosandEnhancedPayments@wisconsin.gov or join us for Tuesday Talks on December 16, 2025.

Tuesday Talks: Join us Tuesday, December 16

The next Tuesday Talks with DECE webinar is this coming Tuesday, December 16 at 1:30 p.m. and the topic is: Get Kids Ready and Ratios and Enhanced Payment Pilots.

Registration is not required for these events. Tuesday Talks with DECE is held the third Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. Visit the DCF Tuesday Talks with DECE webpage to learn more.

Reminder: Wisconsin Shares Provider Closure Policy

DCF knows many providers tale a well-deserved break at this time of the year.  As a reminder, Wisconsin Shares allows parents to use subsidy to pay providers for:

  • Up to two weeks of closure during each calendar year
  • Holiday closures for state government holiday identified in Wisconsin Legislature: 230.35(4). Upcoming state government holidays include December 24, December 25, December 31, and January 1.

Parents may request an authorization to a second provider during closures.

Milwaukee County Child Care Provider Rates and MECA Staff Updates

On Friday, December 12, Mike Lowrey retires after 50 years of state service! He says farewell and that he’s been delighted to serve Milwaukee County’s child care providers since 2009.

Our MECA staff continues to address your child care provider rate changes in the Provider Portal and Milwaukee Child Care Providers can continue to call 414-615-6318 or email DCFMECAParentProviderLiaisons@wisconsin.gov for Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy questions.

My Wisconsin ID and Child Care Systems

Wisconsin state systems are in the process of migrating to My Wisconsin ID. DCF child care systems are not yet using My Wisconsin IDs. Some people log into other systems with their My Wisconsin ID. If you are using My Wisconsin ID, do not attempt to log in to a child care system with My Wisconsin ID at this time—you will not gain access to the system. Continue to use your existing user ID to log into child care systems until further notice. Examples of child care systems include CSAW, WISCCRS, YoungStar CMS, CWW, Provider Portal, and DCF SharePoint sites.

If you need assistance with the child care systems, please use the Systems Contacts information webpage.

Family Child Care Providers Must Retest for Radon Every Two Years

Family child care providers may need to retest for radon and provide documentation to their assigned licensing specialist. Since this rule was established in March 2023, please review and submit a new test to your licensing specialist. Please review page 20 of DCF 250.06(2)(n)(5)- Continuous Testing.

Child-Safe Holiday Decorating and Celebrating

Recognizing and celebrating holidays in early childhood settings can bring magic, happiness, and joy to children.

As you decorate and plan activities, be mindful of potential hazards children may be exposed to.

  • Decorate with child-safe, non-toxic natural materials. Decorative lights, ornaments, beaded garland, and artificial trees may contain lead or other toxic materials.
  • Use pipe cleaners or yarn to hang ornaments instead of metal hooks.
  • Place a baby gate around the tree to protect children from hazardous items.
  • Keep toxic plants out of the center. Poinsettias are popular in December but are toxic to children and animals.
  • Water real trees frequently so they don’t become fire hazards.
  • Turn off decorative lights at night and make sure your smoke detectors are functioning and have fresh batteries.
  • Make sure extension cords don’t create tripping or strangulation hazards.

Additional Safe Holiday Decorating Resources

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: Planning Your Physical Environment to Reduce Challenging Behaviors
    • Review key elements of the physical, social, and temporal environments that best support young children. NOTE: To get the most out of this training, we highly recommend you come with images or a diagram of your environment.
    • Virtual | December 18 | 12-2 p.m.
    • Register through the Wisconsin Registry. Registration closes on December 15, 2025.
    • Questions? Contact Kalli Leu at kleutenegger@youngstarconnect.com.
  • T-TAP Course Series – Winter/Spring 2026
    • Thriving Wisconsin is offering the Trainer and Technical Assistance Professional (T-TAP) Course Series this winter/spring This series includes three blended courses—Foundations, Trainer, and Technical Assistance Professional.
    • Courses begin January 20, and space is limited!
    • T-TAP Course Series Flyer | Preparing for T-TAP
    • Questions? Contact Amanda Austin at info@thrivingwi.org.