Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Licensing Procedure Manual
The BECR regional program associate who processes licensing applications reviews the license application materials to ensure that the Initial Licensing Checklist and all other required applicable materials have been submitted, as identified on the last page of the Initial Licensing Checklist. This review may also be shared with the assigned licensing specialist.
The following must be received and reviewed as part of a license application:
The license and background check fees, any unpaid forfeitures, and any unpaid penalties;
Completed License Application-Family Child Care Centers (DCF-F-CFS0067), including diagrams of indoor and outdoor premises (form only available from Regional Licensing Offices);
Initial Licensing Checklist-Family Child Care Centers (DCF-F-CFS2241), completed by the SFTA TC and the applicant;
All required background check results, including the preliminary and final eligibility determinations for the licensee and all household members age 10 and older;
Policy Checklist - Family Child Care Centers (DCF-F-CFS-2356) and accompanying policies and procedures;
Building Inspection Report by a qualified building inspector if the family child care center will be located in a building that is not a one- or two-family dwelling;
Water test results if the center gets its water from a private well, including a check of bacteria levels and, if children under the age of 6 months will receive care, nitrate levels;
Results of a vehicle safety inspection if the center will transport children;
Documentation of liability insurance for each vehicle which will be used to transport children in care if transportation will be included in the program (may be reviewed on-site at center);
Proof of liability insurance if cats or dogs will be allowed in areas accessible to children during child care hours (may be reviewed on-site at center);
Proof of appropriate vaccinations if the center keeps pets on the premises for which effective vaccines are available (may be reviewed on-site at center); and
A request for an exemption for off-premises play space if the center does not have any available on-premises play space.
If all materials are not submitted, the program associate documents the missing items and sends the Missing Application Items Notification letter to the applicant. This standardized format is available on the BECR Intranet and is used to identify the items not yet received. In addition to sending the missing items letter, the program associate or the licensing specialist may also contact the applicant directly regarding missing items.
2.1.2. License Application Materials
2.1.2.1 When a New Owner Purchases the Child Care Business
This page last updated 09/2021.