Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Licensing Procedure Manual
A licensee may move the center from one location to another location on a temporary basis with the intent to relocate back to the original location. DCF 251.11(5)(c) requires at least a 30-day notice to the Department to move the center to a new location. There are situations, such as emergencies or unexpected circumstances, in which the provider will not be able to provide a 30-day notice. The Department will be reasonable to accommodate these circumstances. The department will provide the Initial Licensing Checklist to the licensee to complete prior to the on-site visit.
Licensing specialists must make at least one (1) on-site visit to a center prior to the approval of a temporary change in location. In some cases, the licensing specialist may complete at least two (2) on-site visits during to provide technical assistance and to verify compliance with all applicable rules on the Initial Licensing Checklist that can be reviewed and documented as met prior to approval of the temporary change in location.
At the licensing specialist’s on-site temporary change in location licensing study, s/he reviews the licensee’s completed Initial Licensing Checklist to determine whether each item is met, not met or not applicable. The licensing specialist measures all areas inside and outside the building to determine the amount of usable space available to children. This calculation is used to determine the maximum licensed capacity of the temporary location. The licensing specialist also assesses equipment and materials and the number of toilets and washbasins available. The amount of usable indoor and outdoor space, the number of toilets and washbasins, and the amount of equipment and materials available are all considered when determining the actual capacity of the program at the temporary location. (See the section of the Group Commentary Manual labeled DCF 251.06-Physical Plant and Equipment, (7)(a)-Indoor Space, for more information on considerations in determining capacity.) A space letter and dated diagram, with measurements, is sent to the applicant within 20 working days after the approval of the temporary change in location and a copy of the space letter and diagram is uploaded into WISCCRS.
Updated documents may need to be collected prior to the approval of the temporary location. These may include:
A building inspection report evidencing compliance with the applicable building codes.
A diagram of the outdoor play space that indicates dimensions, enclosures, location of all building, and bodies of water.
A diagram of the floor plan of the total interior space that indicates all spaces that will be used by the center, the dimension, exits, and room usage.
Current certificate of general liability insurance indicating the address of the temporary location.
A copy of the required policies and procedures indicating changes.
A copy of the results of the water test for lead and bacteria if the water source is a private well and a nitrate test if caring for infants under six months of age.
A copy of the inspection report for the off-premises kitchen, if applicable.
A copy of the written plan to evacuate sleeping children in an emergency, if applicable.
If all applicable rules have been verified as met at the temporary change in location licensing study visit(s), the licensing specialist has determined capacity based on the factors identified above, and all necessary documents have been collected, the licensing specialist can approve the temporary change in location. The licensing specialist issues a letter permitting the licensee to operate temporarily at the new location under the conditions of their current license. This change should be noted in the comments tab in WISCCRS.
This page last updated 10/2020.