Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Certification Policy Manual
Occasionally, an applicant may request to voluntarily withdraw their application before the notice of denial is sent, in an attempt to negate the denial. This is typically due to one or more of the following:
DCF 202.06(5) The county or tribal agency may refuse to accept a new application for 2 years after the date of the denial, revocation, or refusal to renew the certification.
DCF 202.06(1)(e) A certification agency may deny/revoke if the applicant’s license or certificate to care for children or adults has been denied or revoked.
DCF 250, 251 and 252 (licensing rules) state the department may not process an application for a license if the applicant has had a license or certification to operate a child care center revoked or denied within the last 2 years prior to the date of the licensing application. An applicant is deemed ineligible to submit an application for a license and a person may not hire an employee within 2 years from the date an applicant or employee had a child care license or certification revoked or denied.
If certification is denied due to one of the barred offenses for the applicant/operator, the information will become part of future background check results. The denial will be displayed on the DHS (IBIS) letter if a background check is conducted on the applicant/operator in the future.
Certification agencies have discretion whether or not the application will be processed as a denial or if the applicant may be allowed to withdraw her/his application in lieu of denial. If the certification worker recommends withdrawal and/or if the applicant requests / chooses to withdraw the application in lieu of denial, it is important the individual is made aware of their right to appeal should the application have been denied.
Processing the application as a denial ensures the violations that led to the denial will be known, should the applicant reapply for child care certification in another county or for a child care license. Depending on the nature of the circumstances or basis for the denial, it may be appropriate to allow voluntary withdrawal in order to avoid the unintended consequences outlined above. If an applicant is allowed to voluntarily withdraw the application in lieu of a denial, the certification worker may document the intention to and basis for a denial of the application in case comments in WISCCRS. Take caution in entering such comments as they can be seen by other workers in CSAW (Child Care Statewide Administration on Web).
A Voluntary Withdrawal of Certification Application template is available on the Certification SharePoint site.
This page last updated 01/2022.