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

Bureau of Early Care Regulation

Child Care Certification Policy Manual

8.1 - Injuries and CPS Investigations

The WISCCRS Complaint module was modified in March 2015 to document self-reported incidents and additional information regarding child injuries. New fields allow the certification worker to document if the child was injured, if medical attention was needed, if CPS also investigated and, if so, CPS investigation results. If a child was injured the certification worker is required to document the location, cause and result as follows:

Location:

• Indoors

• • Other Location

  • Outdoors

  • Vehicle

• Cause

• • Fall/Trip/Slip/Pinch

  • Incident but no injury (medication error/illness)

  • Other Cause

  • Struck by or against object or person

• Result

• Bump/Bruise/Concussion

• Cut/Scrape/Scratch/Open wound

• Death

• Fracture/Strain/Sprain

• Other Result

• Severity

The following tags are available:

• Not Serious

• Serious

• Unknown (If unknown is selected at time of intake, the tag will have to be changed to Serious or Not Serious before the complaint or self-report can be closed.)

1. Note: Use the following definition of “serious injury” for the Severity tag: For the purposes of child care regulation, the department has expanded the definition of “serious injury” beyond that which is contained in §48.981, Wis. Stats.

2. A “serious injury” is:

1. Death or substantial risk of death,

2. A broken or fractured bone,

3. A concussion,

4. Any other injury that requires medical treatment from a physician, dentist, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, paramedic, physician assistant, or emergency medical technician.

5. See also section 2.1.1 Questions to Ask the Complainant.

This page last updated 02/2026.