Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Licensing Procedure Manual
The process of conducting a complaint investigation, while possibly challenging and complex, is essentially the same as other licensing monitoring functions. The licensing specialist must:
Obtain accurate information about possible violations of licensing requirements;
Maintain an unbiased attitude and adhere to fairness and due process;
Balance the need to protect children in care with the rights of the licensee and others.
To ensure a thorough investigation, the licensing specialist should follow a well thought out investigation plan. Conducting a careful investigation enables the licensing specialist to reach a conclusion regarding each alleged violation in the complaint as well as to cite noncompliances identified during the investigation. For each alleged violation, the licensing specialist must draw one of the two following conclusions with a comfortable level of confidence that the standard of proof (see section 8.) has been met:
The complaint is unsubstantiated, meaning that based on the complaint investigation, a rule violation will not be issued;
The complaint is substantiated, meaning that based on the complaint investigation, a rule violation will be issued.
6. Conducting the Investigation
6.1 The Center Inspection - Unannounced Visit
6.2.1.1 In Child Care Facilities
6.3 Recording Evidence - Documentation
6.3.1 Certification of Records
This page last updated 01/2017.