Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Licensing Procedure Manual
In accordance with Wis. Stat. § 48.78(2)(a), the licensing specialist may not disclose the identity of any child in a child care center or day camp when providing information about violations of statutes, rules or provisions of licensure. Because the CFS-294 (and enforcement actions) must be posted by the licensee at the center and will also be posted on the Regulated Child Care and YoungStar Public Search website, special care must be taken to assure the names of children in care are not disclosed.
The licensing specialist may identify the names of children on the DCF-F-CFS1675 (Child Record Checklist). In order to maintain confidentiality, the completed child record checklist must not be posted. The form clearly states in the title, “Confidential – Do Not Post”.
When referencing a violation, the licensing specialist should refer to a child in care using an identification system such as child #1, #2, etc., or child A, B, etc. It is recommended that the licensing specialist use the DCF-F-2432-E (Staff and Child Identification Key), a voluntary BECR form designed to serve as a key for identifying each child. The words “Confidential Information - Do Not Post” is clearly stated at the top of Staff and Child Identification Key form. Note that the licensing specialist may develop his/her own key, but the words “Confidential Information - Do Not Post” must be stated on the key to ensure that the child care licensee clearly understands that children’s names must not be posted.
The key may not be disclosed during open record requests as the confidentiality of minors is protected under the open record statutes.
4.8.2. Maintaining Confidentiality of Children in Care
4.8.2.1. Example of Maintaining Confidentiality When Citing a Violation
This page last updated 12/2018.