Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Licensing Procedure Manual
Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 48.68, if minimum licensing requirements are met and the fees have been received by the BECR regional office, a family child care center not previously licensed must be issued a six-month probationary license. The licensing specialist issues a probationary license with licensed capacity based on the number requested, the amount of equipment and materials available as well as the amount of usable indoor and outdoor space. (Note: Licensed capacity may be reduced due to coverage limits specified in the homeowner’s pet liability insurance policy that may limit coverage of the number of children in care.)
The date that the probationary license is issued is based on the date that all applicable materials and fees have been received by the BECR regional office, the center policies have been reviewed and the licensing specialist has verified through one or more on-site visits that all applicable rules have been met. Licenses may not be backdated.
The letter of transmittal (LOT) and license certificate are generated by WISCCRS. The license is issued to the legal entity and this entity is considered the licensee of the facility. The LOT and license certificate identify the terms of the license. Stipulations and/or exceptions or exemptions are not recorded on the LOT but may be identified on the license certificate. Note: The LOT and license certificate are issued via email unless the provider requests a hard copy.
Documentation of the initial on-site licensing study visit(s) indicating that the required applicable rules were met is uploaded to the facility file with the initial application.
4. Probationary Licensing Period
4.1. Completing the Licensing Checklist during the Probationary Period
4.2. Circumstances that May Impact the Probationary Period
4.2.1. Serious and/or Numerous Violations during the Probationary Period
4.2.2. Voluntary Temporary Closure during the Probationary Period
4.2.3. Probationary Centers with No Children in Care
4.3. Completion of the Probationary Period
4.3.1. Second Probationary Period or Denial of Regular License
4.3.1.1. Impact of Denial on Future License Application
This page last updated 09/2021.