Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Certification Policy Manual
The certification worker shall prepare and send written notice of revocation to the operator. The notice shall provide the grounds for the revocation and an explanation of the process for appealing the action. It is important the revocation notice:
Clearly articulates the reason(s) for the revocation.
Identifies all relevant statute and/or rule citations.
Accurately and concisely documents facts related to the noncompliance(s).
Includes information regarding the operator’s right to appeal.
It is recommended certification agencies add language to revocation letters, or any letter confirming an operator’s non-renewal or voluntary closure, advising the operator to retain attendance records for 3 years.
Example: If your program receives or received child care subsidy payments you must retain attendance records in accordance with Wis. Stat. 49.155(6m) which states, in pertinent parts, a child care provider shall retain the written daily attendance records, including the actual arrival and departure time, for each child for whom the provider is providing care for at least 3 years after the child’s last day of attendance, regardless of whether or not the child care provider is still receiving or eligible to receive child care subsidy payments.
If the revocation is due to a “bar with rehabilitation” offense, in accordance with the Background Check Law, the notice may include language indicating the agency cannot grant certification until the applicant or household member applies for and receives rehabilitation review approval for child care certification.
Revocations, even those due to the Background Check Law, are subject to appeal through an administrative hearing as provided for in Chapter 68 (Milwaukee Ch. 227). See Section 10 regarding appeals. It is important to keep in mind that should the revocation be appealed, the notice of revocation will become an important reference document in preparing for the administrative hearing.
When issuing a sanction/enforcement letter (revocation, denial or suspension) it is critical that the certification worker change the operator’s category status in WISCCRS accordingly and enter details regarding the enforcement in the Enforcement Module. See WISCCRS User Guide - Changes for further information on how to accurately modify the category.
Certification agencies may choose to notify other entities/agencies of revocations (or recertification denials, suspensions or voluntary closures). Examples of notice to other agencies may include:
Bureau of Child Care Subsidy Administration: DCFMBChildCareFraud@wisconsin.gov
Bureau of YoungStar YoungStar@wisconsin.gov
Child and Adult Care Food Program
Wisconsin Early Childhood Association
T.E.A.C.H. mlerick@wisconsinearlychildhood.org
The Registry: christine@the-registry.org
Upon receiving a notice of revocation or suspension, other agencies may also take action in response to the revocation/suspension.
Examples:
Bureau of Child Care Subsidy Administration designates the provider to be out of regulatory compliance. This action suspends the provider’s Wisconsin Shares payments until an appeal, if applicable, is resolved.
Reimbursement from the Child and Adult Care Food Program, administered by a local sponsoring agency, is terminated when the program is informed that the certification is suspended or revoked.
See Section 10.4 regarding notice to the department if an operator appeals a revocation.
This page last updated 08/2022.