Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Licensing Procedure Manual
The licensing specialist must conduct an exit interview on the day that the violations are documented and before leaving the center to inform the licensee of the probable violations that will be cited. If the licensee is unable to meet for an exit interview, the licensing specialist should share the findings with the person designated in charge of the facility on the day of the visit.
At the exit interview, the licensing specialist informs the licensee of what was observed at the visit and documented on the CFS-294, and what will be expected of the licensee to address the violations and bring the center or camp into compliance. The licensing specialist should instruct the licensee on how to complete the correction plan and to sign and return the CFS-294 by the required due date. S/he should not direct the licensee in how to correct a violation but, if the licensee requests technical assistance, can help the licensee in thinking through a plan. The licensee should be reminded that the CFS-294 must be posted on-site and that the CFS-294 and the licensee’s correction plan will be displayed on the public search website. The licensing specialist may wish to share the total number and type of rules reviewed and the total number of rules met at the time of the visit.
It is possible that the licensing specialist is uncertain about whether or not something observed at the center should be cited and will decide this later, after further research and consultation with other licensing staff or supervisors. In this case, the licensing specialist should indicate that there is a possibility that there could be one or more additional violations that could be cited and that s/he will call or email the licensee if additional violations are included. If it has not already been done, the licensing specialist should also leave a business card that includes the licensing specialist’s contact information. The licensee can be encouraged to contact the licensing specialist with questions.
The CFS-294 should be mailed, emailed, or hand delivered to the licensee no more than 10 business days (with specific exceptions) after the violations are cited.
Documentation that the exit interview occurred is not required but is considered good practice. The exit interview is documented in the internal comments field under Site Visit. Documentation includes when the exit interview was conducted, who was present and any outstanding comments or questions that were noted at that time.
Rarely, the licensee may wish to submit a written statement concerning the violations noted on the CFS-294, such as a statement that the licensee objects to the violations that have been cited. Such a statement is separate from the licensee’s correction plan and is not posted on the public search website. This written statement should be uploaded into WISCCRS with other written documentation that does not carry over to the public website (such as staff information).
5. Discussing Violations with the Licensee at the Site Visit Exit Interview
5.1. When an Exit Interview is Not Conducted
This page last updated 12/2018.