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 251.11(2)(a) requires that applicants for group child care obtain pre-licensing technical assistance prior to submitting their license application materials to BECR. Included in the inquiry packet is an application to receive required pre-licensing technical assistance from the Supporting Families Together Association (SFTA). Under contract with BECR, SFTA provides a nominal amount of free pre-licensing technical assistance to any applicant wishing to open a group 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 group child care license within the previous year (e.g., closed less than one year), and has a history of noncompliance, 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.