Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Licensing Procedure Manual
Included in the inquiry packet is a start-up worksheet titled ‘So You Want to Start a Child Care Business’. This start-up worksheet is the application to receive the required pre-licensing technical assistance from SFTA and must be completed by the applicant and submitted to SFTA to begin the pre-licensing process.
When the applicant submits the request to receive pre-licensing technical assistance to SFTA, SFTA’s main office sends a packet of materials to the applicant, including the following:
Initial Licensing Checklist – Family Child Care Centers (DCF-F-CFS2241);
Policy Checklist – Family Child Care Centers (DCF-F-CFS2356);
Information for ordering forms (DCF-P-PFS3038)
Other information that may be instructive to the applicant, such as information about the Child Care Information Center and the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
An SFTA Technical Consultant (TC) contacts the applicant shortly after the receipt of the completed start-up worksheet application. In addition to sending the applicant written materials and answering questions, the SFTA TC conducts one on-site visit to the applicant’s premises to inspect indoor and outdoor space, provide additional forms and brochures, and complete the Initial Licensing Checklist – Family Child Care Centers form (DCF-F-CFS2241). At the conclusion of the pre-licensing technical assistance visit, the SFTA TC completes, signs and dates the Initial Licensing Checklist, indicating in the first column of the checklist each item has been met, not yet been met at the time of TC’s on-site visit or not applicable. The TC leaves the signed copy of the completed Initial Licensing Checklist with the applicant with instructions to complete the appropriate (middle) column prior to submitting it to the BECR regional office along with the completed license application. The TC reminds the applicant that s/he should not submit the application until all required applicable rules have been met.
When the applicant decides that all required applicable rules have been met, the applicant completes and signs the Initial Licensing Checklist and submits it, along with all other required application materials, to the appropriate BECR regional office. The checklist must be signed by the applicant no more than 30 days prior to submitting one copy of the completed checklist to the regional office.
If the applicant signed the Initial Licensing Checklist more than 30 days prior to the date it is postmarked, the checklist is returned to the applicant with instructions to verify that all items are still met, re-date, sign and re-submit the checklist. If the applicant delays submitting the completed checklist to BECR more than six months from the date it was signed by the SFTA TC, but still wishes to apply for a license, the applicant must repeat the technical assistance process from the start. (For exception, see section 2.1.4. Delay in Submitting Application Materials.)
This page last updated 02/2019.