Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Licensing Procedure Manual
A high level of risk exists when the allegations in the complaint suggest imminent danger to the health, safety and welfare of the children in care. The licensing specialist must immediately discuss all complaints that require immediate attention with the licensing manager/licensing supervisor. If the licensing manager is unavailable, the licensing specialist should discuss the complaint with another licensing manager/licensing supervisor. The following are examples of allegations that require immediate attention and must always be reported to the licensing manager/licensing supervisor.
Fatalities or serious injuries of a child while in care or related to care;
Allegations of child abuse or neglect;
Criminal activity related to a center or its licensee/staff/household member, including sexual misconduct or assaults, violence or threats of violence, drug dealing, embezzlement, etc.;
Missing children, even if the child has been found. For example, a child found wandering away from a center, or left in a van or at the site of a field trip;
Fires and other major disasters, for example, wind or water damage, explosions, etc.;
Lack of environmental protections such as heat, water, electricity or telephone service;
Any noncompliance involving a center with a current or recent history of significant enforcement activity.
This page last updated 10/2020.