Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Certification Policy Manual
Although the process of conducting a complaint investigation (or investigation related to a self-report) may be challenging and complex, it is essentially the same as other certification monitoring functions. The certification worker must:
Obtain accurate information about possible violations of certification requirements
Maintain an unbiased attitude and adhere to fairness and due process
Balance the need to protect children in care with the rights of the certified operator and others
To ensure a thorough investigation, the certification worker should follow a well thought out investigation plan. Conducting a careful investigation enables the certification worker to reach a conclusion regarding each alleged violation in the complaint as well as to cite violations identified during the investigation. For each alleged violation, the certification worker must draw one of the two following conclusions with a comfortable level of confidence that the standard of proof (see section 7) has been met:
The complaint is unsubstantiated, meaning that based on the alleged rule violation(s) and complaint investigation, a rule violation (noncompliance) will not be issued.
The complaint is substantiated, meaning that based on the alleged rule violation(s) and the complaint investigation, a rule violation (noncompliance) will be issued/recorded.
Note: Self-reported incidents are not “substantiated” or “unsubstantiated” but rather the investigation result is “N/A – Self Report”.
6.1 The Inspection - Unannounced Visit
6.4 Recording Evidence - Documentation
This page last updated 01/02020.