Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Licensing Procedure Manual
The complaint is assigned to the appropriate licensing specialist for a follow-up site visit to verify that the provider has actually reduced the number of children in care to a legal number. The licensing specialist should attempt to schedule this verification visit when they are on another nearby scheduled visit, but no sooner than two weeks and no later than two months from the date the provider signed the CFS-856.
During the follow up site visit, the licensing specialist has the provider complete the Unlicensed Child Care Complaint - On-site Visit Documentation (DCF-F-CFS0856A) form, hereafter referred to as the CFS-856A. The licensing specialist completes Section A of the form with date, name and address of the provider and then requests that the provider complete Section B to document the children on the premises and any others in care, the relationship to the provider, age, time in care and parent or relative name, address and phone number. The provider also completes Section C to affirm that the information provided is complete and correct.
In some cases, the licensing specialist may complete the form based on the statements made by the provider and then asks the provider to complete Section C. This occurs typically if there are a lot of children present and/or the situation is chaotic. The licensing specialist documents that they completed Section B in the investigation findings based on information given by the provider and that the provider completed Section C.
If the provider is found to be operating legally, the licensing specialist notes this in the description of the investigative findings. The complaint is closed and the record keeping is finalized.
However, if the provider is determined to still be operating illegally, within 10 working days of the site visit, the licensing specialist prepares an administrative Order to Stop Operating Child Care Without a License, pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 48.715(2)(a), for the licensing manager/licensing supervisor’s signature. (See section 6.1.) After the order is issued, a follow-up site visit is conducted to ensure that the provider is complying with the order. If not, the licensing specialist should confer with the licensing manager/licensing supervisor to determine the next action to be taken, such as a forfeiture and/or referral to the District Attorney. The licensing specialist records corrective actions taken in the investigative findings in WISCCRS under “Conclusions, Recommendations and Actions”.
If requested, the regional staff person provides feedback to the complainant and/or provider concerning the outcome of the complaint investigation. This can be done by phone or through a brief letter sent under the licensing manager/licensing supervisor’s signature.
This page last updated 10/2021.