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 the 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 fee;
Completed License Application-Group Child Care Centers (DCF-F-CFS-0065), including diagrams of indoor and outdoor premises;
Initial Licensing Checklist-Group Child Care Centers (DCF-F-CFS-2242), completed by the SFTA TC and the applicant;
All required background check results, including the preliminary and final eligibility determinations;
Policy Checklist - Group Child Care Centers (DCF-F-CFS-2048) and accompanying policies and procedures;
Building Inspection Report by a qualified building inspector;
Completed W-9 Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) Verification Form;
Water test results if the center gets its water from a private well, including a check of lead and 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;
Certificate of insurance that indicates the dates of coverage for all of the following (as identified in DCF 251.04(2)(g)):
General liability insurance with limits of not less than $25,000 for each person and total limits of $75,000 for each occurrence;
An indication that pets are included in the liability coverage if cats and dogs are permitted in areas of the center accessible to children during hours of operation.
Vehicle liability insurance with limits not less than the amounts specified under Wis. Stats. 121.53, when transportation is provided by the center;
When transportation is provided in vehicles that are not owned by the center and are not public transportation vehicles or chartered vehicles, vehicle liability insurance for non-owned vehicles with minimums not less than the amounts specified under Wis. Stats. 121.53.
Documentation of compliance with Chapter NR 809 Safe Drinking Water Act Standards if the private well serves at least 25 people for over six months of the year;
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);
A request for an exemption for off-premises play space if the center does not have any available on-premises play space.
An inspection report from the most recent monitoring visit of the kitchen licensed to prepare meals if the meals are not prepared on the premises of the center or in a kitchen operated by the applicant. (Some places that are monitored by another agency include schools, hospitals, nursing homes, restaurants, technical colleges or universities);
Delegation of administrative authority;
Articles of Incorporation and bylaws; and
Other documents as required (e.g., 4-K agreement).
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 licensing specialist may also contact the applicant directly regarding missing items.
This page last updated 10/2019.