Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education

Bureau of Early Care Regulation

Child Care Licensing Procedure Manual

3.2.4 Provider is Operating Illegally but Agrees to Reduce the Number of Children in Care and Wants to Apply for a License (Checked Box 4

If the provider responds to the DC-1 letter by checking Box 4 on the CFS-856, indicating that they are providing care for a licensable number of children but agreeing to immediately reduce the number of children in care, the regional staff person indicates the complaint is “substantiated” and this finding is entered in WISCCRS. The complaint is not closed as the licensing specialist must make a follow-up on-site visit to verify that the provider has reduced the number of children in care.

The regional staff person uploads the DC-1 letter and CFS-856 into WISCCRS, indicating a follow-up site visit is required, and the complaint is assigned to a licensing specialist. 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 manager’s signature.

Since the provider has also indicated that they are interested in applying for a license, the regional staff person should direct the provider to the DCF Starting a Licensed Child Care webpage, if the information was not already included with the mailing of the DC-1 letter and CFS-856. (Note: Some regional offices include the link for ordering the child care licensing inquiry packet when sending out the DC-1 letter and CFS-856.) If the proper fee for the inquiry packet was enclosed, the regional staff person forwards the payment to the Northern Regional Office, who will send the provider the packet. If the provider failed to enclose the proper fee, the regional staff person should send the provider a link to the order information for the inquiry packet.

If the provider submits an application to become licensed, the application is handled the same as any application.

3.2.4 Provider is Operating Illegally but Agrees to Reduce the Number of Children in Care and Wants to Apply for a License (Checked Box 4)

3.2.4.1 On-Site Visit to Verify the Number of Children in Care Has Been Reduced

This page last updated 10/2021.