Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Certification Policy Manual
This section provides clarification and guidance pertaining to the operator’s responsibility for reporting changes in accordance with DCF 202.08(1m)(b) to the certification agency by the agency's next working day.
An accident or incident that occurs while a child is in care of a provider resulting in an injury requiring professional medical evaluation.
The death of a child in care of a provider.
Any damage to the premises that may affect compliance with this chapter, or any incident at the premises that results in the loss of utility service.
Construction or remodeling of the premises that has the potential to affect an area accessible to children or have an effect on health and safety of children in care.
Known convictions, pending charges, or other offenses of the child care operator, household member, or other person subject to the child care background check.
Involvement by law enforcement in response to any of the following:
A threat to cause physical or serious emotional harm to any individual, including a child in care, by the operator, a household member, or other person subject to the child care background check.
A moving violation by a driver that transports children in care, regardless of whether the children are present at the time of the violation.
Suspected abuse or neglect of a child by a provider, volunteer, or household member that was reported under sub. (14), including any incident that results in a child being forcefully shaken or thrown against a hard or soft surface during the child’s hours of attendance.
A prohibited action specified under sub. (7) (b) by a provider, volunteer, or household member.
An injury caused by an animal to a child in care.
The operator intends to hire a new employee or volunteer.
A current household member turns 10 years of age.
The operator’s tax identification number changes or the legal name associated with the tax identification number changes.
A name change by a person subject to the child care background check.
Example 1: If a household member is arrested and has a new pending criminal offense, this must be reported by the operator no later than the agency’s next working day. If it is determined the operator failed to report the arrest/pending criminal charge timely this would be a violation of DCF 202.08(1m)(b)5.
Example 2: A certified operator who, upon initial certification, did not transport children, however, during an annual monitoring visit you determine the operator began transporting children two months prior to your visit. The operator has a valid driver’s license, the vehicle is registered in the state of Wisconsin, s/he has written authorization to transport on file, has the required vehicle liability insurance and is not in violation of the vehicle alarm law. Although there may not be violations of specific transportation-related rules, the operator in this scenario failed to report the change in transportation services and obtain approval from the certification agency.
In addition to reporting requirements, certified operators must request to the certification agency if they wish to change any of the following:
DCF 202.08(1m)(d)1. The hours, days, or months that the operator provides care.
DCF 202.08(1m)(d)2. The name of the operator’s child care program.
DCF 202.08(1m)(d)3. The operator’s phone number.
DCF 202.08(1m)(d)4. The operator’s physical address.
DCF 202.08(1m)(d)5. Transportation services.
The certification agency can determine if the request must be made in writing or if a verbal request is allowable.
The Certification Policy Manual – Module 8 – Complaints and Incidents, provides guidance on documenting self-reports in WISCCRS, specifically those pertaining to injuries that require professional medical treatment.
This page last updated 01/2020.