Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Licensing Procedure Manual
Wis. Admin. Code ยง DCF 250.11(3)(a) requires that applicants for family child care obtain pre-licensing technical assistance prior to submitting their license application materials to BECR. Pre-licensing technical assistance is provided by the Supporting Families Together Association (SFTA) through a contract with BECR. SFTA provides a nominal amount of free pre-licensing technical assistance to any applicant wishing to open a family child care center.
Pre-licensing technical assistance that results in a completed initial licensing study checklist is required for all new applicants for a license unless the applicant:
Is relocating a licensed center;
Is opening a second or additional site;
Is moving from group child care to family child care;
Has held a license for the same type of program within the last year; or
Has had the technical assistance requirement waived by the licensing manager/licensing supervisor.
If the applicant has held a family child care license within the previous year (e.g., closed less than one year), and has a history of noncompliances, the licensing specialist should consult with the licensing manager/licensing supervisor to determine whether the applicant will be required to obtain an inquiry packet and receive pre-licensing technical assistance from SFTA.
This page last updated 10/2020.