Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Licensing Procedure Manual
The information contained in a child care facility file is considered a public record and may not be destroyed. The BECR RDA identifies retention and disposition conditions and carries the weight of law. Records may not be destroyed earlier than specified on the approved RDA nor should records be retained longer unless there is a pending audit or unresolved issue or legal action.
Child care files are retained for six (6) years following a voluntary facility closure. Files for facilities that are denied licensure or have their license revoked are retained for 10 years.
For more information on record retention, see the chapter titled Record Retention in the Record Keeping section.
This page last updated 10/2020.