Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Certification Policy Manual
In accordance with DCF 202.08(1), a provider shall be physically, mentally, and emotionally able to provide responsible child care and shall be at least 18 years of age. A disability such as blindness, hearing impairment or any other physically disabling condition that affects the applicant/operator may not be the sole basis for a denial of certification. The ability of the person to provide care to the children and to comply with certification standards must be evaluated irrespective of the disability. Certification agencies should determine what protections/plans/modifications/adaptations (if needed) have been put into place to ensure children’s safety. Certification workers can’t assume an individual with a disability is going to be incapable or less capable of meeting certification standards. Certification workers will need to ask questions, gather information, inspect the home and consider modifications or other precautionary measures the applicant/operator has taken in order to make such determinations.
Certification workers shall refer to their agency’s nondiscrimination/equal opportunity policies and/or consult with their agency’s corporation counsel or Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Officer to ensure compliance with state and federal statutes and regulations relating to nondiscrimination.
This page last updated 01/2020.