Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Licensing Procedure Manual
Under the authority of Wis. Admin. Code §§ DCF 250.04(2), 250.07(6), 250.11(2), (3), (4), and (8), 251.04(2), 251.11(1), (2), (3), and (7), and 252.05(5), (7), the department may deny a group or family child care license or day camp license if the applicant, a proposed or current employee, a volunteer, a household member, or any other person having regular contact with the children is or has been any of the following:
Has demonstrated behavior that raises reasonable concern for the safety of children.
The subject of a pending criminal charge for an action that substantially relates to the care of children or activities of the center.
Convicted of a felony, misdemeanor, or other offense that substantially relates to the care of children or activities of the center.
Determined to have abused or neglected a child pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 48.981, or has been determined to have committed an offense which substantially relates to the care of children or the activities of the center or is the subject of a substantiated finding of misconduct in the DHS nurse aide registry under Wis. Admin. Code § DHS 129.09.
The subject of a court finding that the person has abandoned his or her child, has inflicted sexual or physical abuse on a child; or has neglected or refused, for reasons other than poverty, to provide necessary care, food, clothing, medical or dental care, or shelter for his or her child or ward or a child in his or her care so as to seriously endanger the physical health of the child.
Had a child care license or certification revoked or denied within the last five years.
Violated any provision of Wis. Admin. Code § DCF 250, 251 or 252, or Wis. Stat. § 48, or fails to meet the minimum requirements of the administrative rules.
Made false statements or withheld information.
Carried out an action, by commission or omission, or any condition or occurrence relating to the operation or maintenance of the child care center that adversely affects the health, safety, or welfare of children in care.
The department determines that the applicant is not a responsible, mature individual who is fit and qualified.
Another center owned by the applicant is in substantial noncompliance with the licensing rules or has outstanding fines or forfeitures.
A department-required examination concerning the physical or mental health of any person associated with the care of children or any household resident gives the department reasonable concern for the care of children.
All application forms are not completed truthfully and accurately and all fees, including late fees, and forfeitures have not been paid.
Applicant has failed to pay court-ordered child or family support, maintenance, birth expenses, medical expenses, or other expenses related to the support of a child or former spouse.
Applicant is liable for delinquent taxes or delinquent Unemployment Insurance contributions.
This page last updated 10/2019.