Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education

Bureau of Early Care Regulation

Child Care Certification Policy Manual

4.0 Pre-service Training Requirements
(Family Child Care / In-Home Care)

In 2014, Congress reauthorized the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) for the first time since 1996. Based on the new law the United States Department of Health and Human Services established minimum child care standards, including requirements for pre-service training, to improve child care settings for all children. In response to the new federal requirements, 2017 Wisconsin Act 59 was enacted on September 21, 2017. The most significant change in the certification law, Wis. Stats. 48.651, and certificate administrative rules, requires certified child care operators and other caregivers/providers approved to work in certified settings to complete department-approved pre-service training, as well as continuing education annually.

Under Wis Stats. 48.651(1d), all certified family child care operators and caregivers working in certified child care settings shall successfully complete department-approved pre-service training that covers specific health and safety topics, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, child abuse and neglect, and child development. Requirements for pre-service training are met by completion of the following department-approved courses for certified family child care:

Introduction to the Child Care Profession (Module A) or Principles of Child Care Certification
Fundamentals of Family Child Care
CPR training (infant/child)

Note: Starting 4/1/18, pre-service training documentation shall be uploaded in WISCCRS in the Individuals Module for certified family and in-home operators.

Pre-service Training for Operators

A level I (regular) certified operator shall complete required pre-service training by no later than the date of certification. A level II (provisional) certified operator shall complete department-approved pre-service training within 3 months of certification. A provisional operator who does not complete pre-service training within 3 months from the date provisional certification is granted is out of compliance and shall be issued a Non-compliance Statement. If the new provisional operator does not complete department-approved pre-service training by the provisional category expiration date (not to exceed 6 months) the certification ends.

An individual may not be granted more than one provisional certification consecutively or intermittently. If an individual did not complete pre-service training within 6 months (after the provisional certification expired) and applies for a provisional certification in the future, the applicant may be provided another opportunity to fulfill the training requirements; however, the subsequent application may not be processed until the applicant completes pre-service training. If pre-service training is not completed at the time the application is submitted or, for a pending application by the deadline specified by the certification agency, the application may be considered “incomplete” and coded in WISCCRS accordingly.

Pre-service Training for Other Caregiver Providers

A provider who is an employee or volunteer of the child care operator and who is involved in the care and supervision of children on behalf of the operator is also subject to pre-service training requirements. A provider who replaces the operator as the primary provider or who works with the operator to provide care and supervision of children must complete pre-service training within three (3) months after employment or volunteer work commences.

A substitute is someone who replaces the certified child care operator on an infrequent pre-arranged or planned basis. A substitute who replaces the certified operator on an infrequent, pre-arranged basis is not required to meet pre-service training requirements until the substitute has worked for 240 hours. If there is no regularly scheduled provider other than the “substitute,” the substitute is considered the “provider” and must meet pre-service training requirements within three (3) months after employment or volunteer work commences. Emergency back-up providers are not required to meet pre-service training requirements.

If the operator violates the pre-service training requirements by allowing an unqualified caregiver/provider to provide care and supervision of children, the certification worker may take a range of action(s) including issuing a non-compliance, withdrawing/rescinding approval of the individual to work in the certified program, or other enforcement action. Before taking such action, it is recommended the certification worker verify the employee/volunteer caregiver is providing care and supervision of children and not simply “on file".

4.1 Non-Credit Department-Approved Pre-service Courses

4.1.1 Non-Credit Course Descriptions

4.2 For-Credit Broad-Based Courses

4.3 College Degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE)

4.3.1 Early Childhood Education (ECE) Degree

4.3.2 Education Degree (not in ECE)

4.4 High School Child Development Curriculum / Coursework

4.5 Credentials

4.6 Business Degree / Coursework

4.7 Entry-Level Pre-service Training - Review and Determination

4.7.1Grandfathering Entry-Level Coursework

4.7.2 Additional Coursework Not Approved as Pre-service Training