Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Certification Policy Manual
The application process for family / in-home child care typically begins by an individual submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) using the Child Care Provider Portal (preferred) or contacting the certification agency to inquire about family child care certification. For more information about the Expression of Interest, please review the following resources:
Effective June 1, 2024, prospective providers are able to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) using the Child Care Provider Portal (CCPC). A submission of an EOI will generate a task in the certification agency’s WISCCRS Dashboard. Certification workers then make contact with the prospective provider to begin their orientation process. If the provider does not use the Portal to submit their EOI, the certification worker may enter the EOI in WISCCRS on behalf of the provider.
In order to submit an EOI, the individual will need to submit a Taxpayer ID. This may be their SSN or other Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If they do not want to enter a Taxpayer ID simply to inquire about certification and simply want to learn more about certification, they may contact your agency directly. However, prior to submitting an online application, an EOI will be required to be submitted.
Note: The provider submitting the EOI using the Portal is the preferred method, as this will enable the provider to link and access their certification record in the Portal. If the certification worker completes the EOI in WISCCRS, rather than the provider using the Portal, the provider will not be able to link their record in the Portal later without IT security assistance.
It is critical for certification agencies to regularly check their WISCCRS Dashboards for tasks related to the EOI, subsequent online applications that may be submitted, and other tasks and messages related to background checks and temporary closures.
Certification agencies choose how to distribute certification informational materials to the prospective provider. Some agencies mail informational materials, while other agencies hold regularly scheduled certification start-up meetings where individuals receive an orientation on the certification system. See Section 2.1 Orientation for more information.
An individual may contact the local certification agency and have very little knowledge or understanding of child care regulations in Wisconsin. The individual may not be familiar with:
The licensing law (allowable number of children s/he can care for without a license)
What types of regulations exist
Whether or not they are required to be regulated
The number of children they can care for as a certified operator
Which agency to contact
In addition to certification information, certification workers should be able to provide general information regarding the licensing law to potential providers. As explained in Certification Policy Module 1 - Introduction and Overview, pursuant to s. 48.65 (1), Stats., (1) No person may for compensation provide care and supervision for 4 or more children under the age of 7 for less than 24 hours a day unless that person obtains a license to operate a family or group child care center from the Department of Children and Families.
Certification workers should also be prepared to refer potential providers to other agencies for additional information / resources. See Section 2.1 Orientation for additional guidance.
Once the provider has completed the agency’s orientation process, the online application may be initiated.
2.2 Initial Application Materials - Certified Family / In-Home Child Care
This page last updated 01/2025.