Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Licensing Procedure Manual
The licensing specialist should carefully consider the most likely source from which to gather the answers/facts necessary to complete the investigation. Some information will only be revealed through an interview, some through observation, physical evidence, reviewing documents and so on. The licensing specialist must establish a plan for how the information needed to establish the veracity of the allegation(s) in the complaint will be gathered. Evidence can be gathered through:
Specific witnesses identified by the complainant as having been involved in the incident/situation;
The complainant, if additional information is needed;
The victim(s) or potential victims;
The licensee or administrator, current or former center staff members, children currently or previously in care; family members of children currently or previously in care, a neighbor(s), a licensing specialist(s) familiar with the center or anyone else who is likely to know something relevant;
Physical evidence, e.g., a toy or piece of equipment that caused an injury, lack of absorbent material, etc.;
Documentary evidence, e.g., center files such as attendance records, medical logbook, court/police records, BECR center file materials;
Personnel from another agency involved in the incident/situation, e.g., law enforcement officers, child protective services caseworkers and so on.
This page last updated 01/2017.