Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Background Check Procedures
In 1998, the Wisconsin legislature enacted legislation requiring background checks for caregivers in certain entities regulated by the State, including child care programs. The 2017 Wisconsin Act 59 was enacted on September 21, 2017, in order to meet new requirements authorized in the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant. The new background check requirements, effective September 30, 2018, are implemented under Wis. Stat. § 48.686 and Wis. Admin. Code § DCF 13. The background check law has been amended over the years, but the intent of the law remains the same, to protect children in child care settings. Eligibility for child care licensure and certification, or employment or residency in child care programs, is based, in part, on the results of the background check, in accordance with the requirements and prohibitions in the law.
The background check law requires the Child Care Background Unit (CBU) in the Bureau of Early Care Regulation (BECR) to closely examine the results of background checks for criminal convictions and determinations by a government agency of substantiated findings of child abuse or neglect or misconduct. The CBU conducts the background check investigations and using the Barred Offenses Table, makes eligibility determinations based on these offenses and others that may be substantially related to the care of children. Some convictions not on the Barred Offenses Table may be considered when making fit determinations for licensure or certification under Wis. Admin. Code §§ DCF 202, DCF 250, DCF 251 and DCF 252.
This page last updated 10/2019.