Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Licensing Procedure Manual
The results of the investigation are documented in WISCCRS in the Complaint/Incident Module. Documentation will include the provider’s identifying information, the complaint identification number assigned by WISCCRS, the dates the investigation begins and ends, the investigation finding (substantiated or unsubstantiated) and the findings and/or corrective action. The complaint investigation findings documented in WISCCRS support subsequent actions taken.
Findings are entered in WISCCRS to describe the investigation under the following standard headers:
Alleged Statutory and Rule Violations: In addition to the specific complaint allegation, this section indicates the date and source of the complaint (except when anonymous). The name and title of the person who received the complaint is identified.
Methods Used to Conduct the Investigation: This section identifies the BECR licensing specialist assigned to the investigation, the date the investigation began, the dates of on-site visits, the identification and dates of collateral contacts, persons interviewed and the records and documents reviewed, if applicable.
Description of the Investigative Findings: This section specifies the facts determined in the course of the investigation related to the alleged illegal operation. Information from the Unlicensed Child Care Complaint Response form (CFS-0856) would be referenced in this section. If applicable, this section contains reference to the findings or any other involved agencies, for example, county child protective services, etc. This section should include the “who, what, where, when, why and how” of the investigation.
Conclusions, Recommendations and Actions: This section objectively summarizes the licensing specialist’s conclusions and indicates whether the complaint allegation is substantiated or unsubstantiated. This section also includes the subsequent actions to be taken (with the approval of the licensing manager/licensing supervisor, if appropriate). This section may also contain referrals of issues uncovered in the investigation to other agencies having jurisdiction or responsibility in those areas.
At the request of the individual subject to the investigation, when the investigation involved an on-site visit, the Complaint Investigation Summary Letter may be sent. The purpose of this letter is to communicate investigation findings to the person subject to the investigation and to the complainant. This letter is not required and is only sent when requested.
7.1 Documenting the Investigation Findings
7.1.1 When the Investigation Was Completed by Mail
7.1.2 When the Investigation Involved an On-Site Visit
This page last updated 10/2021.