Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Licensing Procedure Manual
Often the licensing specialist determines that a complaint involves a potential violation of licensing administrative rules based on the information provided by the complainant. In addition to violation of licensing rules directly alleged in the complaint, the licensing specialist must also consider whether other noncompliances exist related to the facts of the complaint. For example, a complaint concerning an injury to a child on playground equipment should prompt the licensing specialist to also consider rule violations related to supervision, hazards on the playground, the developmental appropriateness of the equipment and so on. As the investigation progresses, additional noncompliances may be cited as additional information is gathered. The potential violations identified by the licensing specialist determine the focus for the complaint investigation. Careful consideration of all possible violations also enables the licensing specialist to assess the risk posed to the children in care. This risk assessment determines the urgency with which the licensing specialist must respond to the situation. (See section 4.)
This page last updated 01/2017.