Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Licensing Procedure Manual
The appropriate BECR Regional Office collects initial licensing fees and issues a probationary license when an applicant submits application materials for a new license, a change of location, a change in ownership, or change in license type. (Note: In the case of a change of location or corporate status with an existing licensee, the licensing specialist has the discretion to direct the issuance of a regular license rather than probationary for the new location or new corporate status, based on monitoring and compliance experience and length of time the licensee held the previous license.)
Sometimes it is necessary to issue a second six-month probationary license when the applicant has failed to demonstrate during the first six-month probationary period that s/he can meet licensure requirements. In this case, the BECR Regional Office collects licensing fees and issues the second six-month probationary license according to the guidelines set forth for issuing the first probationary license. If the potential licensee fails to demonstrate the ability to meet licensure requirements during the second six-month probationary period, the regular license is denied.
Refer to the Continuations/Recertifications User Guide for specific information for entering fee information.
For the initial family child care application, the applicant must submit a pro-rated fee of $15.12. This is calculated by dividing the regular two-year license fee of $60.50 by 4. This fee covers the six-month probationary period, or one quarter of the two-year regular license period.
For the initial group child care application, a base fee of $45.68 (9 x $16.94 + 30.25 divided by four) is due with the initial group child care application and will be applied toward the total probationary license fees due after the initial licensing site visit(s). The licensing specialist will conduct an initial licensing site visit to measure usable space within the facility and to determine the licensed capacity of the center. Based on this determination, the applicant must submit a total license fee of $30.25 + $16.94 per child (based on the licensed capacity) divided by 4. This fee covers the six-month probationary period, or one quarter of the two-year regular license period. The full fee is due before the center can be licensed.
Day camp fees are calculated similarly to group child care fees. The full six-month probationary fee is due at the time of the initial application since the camp does not need to be measured for space to determine capacity. The probationary license is for six months. SFTA does not work with day camps for pre-licensing.
2. Initial Licensing Fees – Probationary License
2.1. Veterans Licensure Fee Waiver
This page last updated 08/2021.