December 18 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. December Child Care Bridge Payments Update Period Closes Soon – Apply Today! Time is running out to complete required updates on your December Child Care Bridge Payments application. The deadline is Sunday, December 21 at 11:59 p.m. How to Apply The Child Care Bridge Payments application is available in the Child Care Provider Portal. If you have not yet applied for Child Care Bridge Payments, see the Application Guide for information about submitting your initial application. Update Week Reminders Once you are approved for payments, you must update your application every month. Please be sure to review any information that is copied over from the previous month and update all new information as required. Upload verification documents only if needed This includes child and staff records, if updates are needed. If your program was closed for the entire count week (for example, seasonal closures) or if you no longer wish to receive payments, you must withdraw your application during Update Week. Application Resources Update Week Guide – step-by-step instructions for updating and re-submitting your application Uploading Documents to the Child Care Provider Portal Guide 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. Get Ready for Get Kids Ready! The Get Kids Ready Intent to Participate for the 2026-27 school year will open on January 6 in the DCF Provider Portal and must be submitted by child care providers no later than February 1, 2026. Child care providers who do not submit an Intent to Participate by February 1, 2026, will not be able to participate in Get Kids Ready for the 2026-2027 school year. During the Intent to Participate, child care providers will: Enter contact information. Indicate the maximum number of slots they plan on making available for Get Kids Ready. This will be the maximum number of slots they can receive payment for the school year. Attest that they understand and agree to meet all Get Kids Ready eligibility and application requirements, including: Child care programs must be in compliance with all legal, financial, and regulatory requirements imposed by law or administrative rule. Child care programs must implement a curriculum that meets the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS) for children participating in Get Kids Ready. Children being served in Get Kids Ready for the 2026-2027 school year must be 4 years old on or before September 1, 2026. Lead teachers providing instruction for Get Kids Ready must have an associate degree or bachelor’s degree, in any field of study. Child care programs must provide at least 437 hours of instruction in elementary school readiness to children participating in Get Kids Ready between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027. Child care programs may not have a contract with a school district to provide 4-year-old kindergarten for the 2026-2027 school year. After the Intent to Participate is submitted by February 1, 2026, child care providers will be required to verify they meet eligibility requirements in a Program Eligibility Verification Application, which opens in April 2026 and is due by May 15, 2026. Additionally, the following materials will also be made available when the Intent to Participate opens: Child Application Flyer that child care providers can give to parents to promote the program If you have any questions, please submit them through the Get Kids Ready Inquiry form. For more information visit the Get Kids Ready webpage for child care providers. Licensing Closure Procedures Reminder As the holidays approach, many providers are planning for breaks in service. As a reminder, licensing rule requires providers to report to the department: Any expected temporary closure lasting more than two (2) weeks, at least five (5) days prior to the closure. Any unexpected temporary closure lasting more than two (2) weeks, within 24 hours after the center has been closed for a two-week period. As a reminder, upcoming state government holidays include December 24, December 25, December 31, and January 1. If you have any questions, please contact your regional licensing office. New FAQs: Wisconsin Shares Subsidy Usage Policy Changes DCF has received additional questions for clarification on the Subsidy Usage Policy Changes that were effective October 1, 2025. We have posted new FAQs to address some of these questions. Check out the new FAQs on our webpage. Maintaining or Restoring Water Quality in ECE Facilities After Temporary or Prolonged Closures Has your center been or will your center be temporarily closed? Building closures lasting for weeks or months result in reduced water usage. This reduced usage can lead to stagnant water inside building plumbing and water coolers. Take proactive steps to protect the health of children and staff by flushing water prior to reopening. For more information and steps for maintaining water quality, review and use the resources below. EPA Resources Maintaining or Restoring Water Quality in Buildings with Low or No Use Restoring Water Quality in Buildings for Reopening Checklist CDC Resources Reopening Buildings After Prolonged Shutdown or Reduced Operation About Lead in Drinking Water If you have questions, please contact your licensing specialist or certification worker. 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. Learn More About Get Kids Ready: WECA Hosting January Session Mark your calendars now! Wisconsin Early Childhood Association is hosting an information session on the Get Kids Ready initiative with representatives from DCF. We’ll share up-to-date details and have focused breakout rooms for family child care and group child care providers. If you’re interested in Get Kids Ready, this session is for you! Live Spanish interpretation will be available. Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. Learn more and sign up now. Raising Wisconsin’s Children Conference 2026, Helping Kids Thrive When Life Gets Tough Life can be tough sometimes, and kids feel it too. This conference will share simple, practical ways parents, caregivers, and professionals can help children cope with challenges, build strength, and grow through hard times. Spanish interpretation can be requested. February 4, 2026 | Free virtual event | 6 hours CEUs for child care providers More information and registration is at Raising Wisconsin’s Children Conference 2026 – Parenting and Family Relationships
