Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education

Bureau of Early Care Regulation

Child Care Licensing Procedure Manual

4. Probationary Licensing Period

Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 48.68, if minimum licensing requirements are met and the fees have been received by the BECR regional office, a group child care center not previously licensed must be issued a six-month probationary license.

The licensing specialist can issue the probationary license as soon as s/he has determined licensed capacity (according to the number requested and other factors such as the amount of equipment and materials available, as well as the amount of usable indoor and outdoor space), verified through one or more on-site visits that all applicable rules have been met, and reviewed and approved the center policies. The applicant must provide the required licensing fee, based on licensed capacity, before the probationary license is issued. The date that the probationary license is issued is the date that all applicable materials and fees have been received in the BECR regional office. 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 rules were met is uploaded to the facility file with the initial application.

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.