Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Certification Policy Manual
The websites listed below help parents and providers understand the difference between licensing and certification:
In addition to the links above, Supporting Families Together Association (SFTA) and local resource and referral agencies have information for parents and providers on their websites.
The diagram below illustrates the levels (and types) of legal or regulated child care in Wisconsin.
Unregulated child care is legal when the provider cares for three (3) or fewer children under age seven (7).
Child care providers who are not required to be licensed may choose to be certified. A certified family child care operator may care for up to three (3) unrelated children under age seven (7).
The licensing law applies when there are four (4) or more children under the age of seven (7), who are unrelated to the provider, at any given time.
Licensing Start Up Information
Certification Contact Information
General Certification Information
1.2.1 Child Care Information Center - Free Materials for Certification Agencies
This page last updated 01/2020.