Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Licensing Procedure Manual
A complaint that does not pose the risk of imminent danger may not require an on-site visit. Rather, the licensing specialist may resolve the complaint by reviewing the available information and interviewing appropriate people/center representatives by phone. A phone response may be appropriate, for example, when:
The complaint is made for the purpose of harassment or revenge and is without substance. While it is important to remember that each complaint must be judged on its own merits with respect to validity, this judgement is reasonable when the same person is making the same complaint that has already been investigated, including a site visit; and the complaint was not previously substantiated.
A center with an excellent compliance history also has self-reported the incident that forms the basis of the complaint and has taken, or is taking, appropriate action.
Should the licensing specialist have reason to believe there is justification for handling a complaint through a desk review, s/he must discuss the complaint with the licensing manager/licensing supervisor and receive approval before proceeding.
All other forms and processing related to complaint investigation should be completed as usual by the licensing specialist following a resolution by desk review. It is good practice to be mindful of the complaint during subsequent on-site visits.
This page last updated 10/2020.