Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Background Check Procedures
The CBU’s preliminary background check determination is based on a review of the fingerprint check results for convictions that would bar a person from regulatory approval, working or residing in a child care program. Preliminary determinations are made within 5-7 days of the CBU receiving the fingerprint result from DOJ. In the automated interface with DOJ, WISCCRS will generate an automated preliminary eligibility determination notice when there are “no records found” on the fingerprint check result within one day. When the preliminary fingerprint check results are received, the CBU reviews the information for any pending charges, convictions or other offenses that would bar an individual. If the preliminary background check results do not require a bar, a preliminary eligibility notice, titled Preliminary Background Check – Eligibility, is mailed to both the subject of the search and the applicant, licensee or operator and is also available in the CCPP.
A preliminary eligibility notice allows an individual to begin residing or working in a regulated facility under supervision by an individual who has completed a fingerprint background check and has received a final eligibility determination notice from the CBU. Supervision following a preliminary eligibility determination must include at a minimum periodic direct observation by an individual with a Department-approved background check and must occur during the time that the individual has access to children. (Note: While the fingerprint-based background check requirements are being phased in and until all persons subject to the fingerprint-based background check requirement have completed the check, a Department-approved background check can include a DOJ background check conducted by the licensee or certification agency that was completed prior to October 1, 2018.)
When an individual receives an ineligible preliminary notice, they may not begin residing or working in the child care program. The preliminary ineligibility determination is not appealable; only the final determination may be appealed by the subject of the search.
Licensees are responsible for ensuring all other requirements of caregivers are met before employment or volunteer work begins in licensed centers, in accordance with qualifications outlined in Wis. Admin. Code § DCF 250, 251 and 252. Certification workers are responsible for determining if caregivers are qualified under Wis. Admin. Code § DCF 202.08(1) and for approving caregivers before volunteer or work begins in certified family child care settings according to their respective policy and procedures.
This page last updated 04/2021.