Wisconsin Department
of Children and Families - Division
of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Child Care Subsidy Administration
Wisconsin Shares Handbook
Children may not be authorized for Wisconsin Shares for more than 12 hours in a 24-hour period unless written documentation is provided describing a parent’s work schedule, travel time, or a combination of work and travel time that exceeds 12 hours in a 24-hour period. Written documentation may include a parent’s written statement or other verification already provided for approved activity (see 7.8) or financial eligibility (see 7.9) and must demonstrate the entire child care need (not only the part that exceeds 12 hours). Documentation must be scanned into the Electronic Case File (ECF) and summarized in case comments (see 12.2).
If written documentation is provided describing a child care need of more than 12 hours in a 24-hour period, child care may be authorized up to the following limits:
Licensed Providers and Day Camps: Up to 14 hours in a 24-hour period, including travel time.
Certified Providers: Up to 16 hours in a 24-hour period, including travel time.
Out-of-state providers will have a status of Licensed or Certified in CSAW and CSAW will use the associated daily limit as described above.
| Example 1 (Certified): Violet is receiving Wisconsin Shares for her child, Donna, to attend a certified child care provider. In May, Violet begins working 12-hour overnight shifts (7 p.m. to 7 a.m.) on a rotating schedule. She needs six (6) hours of sleep time, as well as 30 minutes of travel time each way. Donna would need to be in care for 19 hours within a 24-hour period (12-hour shift + six (6) hours sleep time + one (1) hour travel time). Because a child cannot be authorized to a certified provider for more than 16 hours per day, only 16 hours of care can be authorized. Travel time could not be included in the authorization because Donna would still be in care during that time. |
| Example 2 (Licensed): Carol is receiving Wisconsin Shares for her child, Johnny, to attend a licensed child care provider. Carol works a rotating 12-hour shift from 10 p.m. to 10 a.m. She also requests five (5) hours of sleep time and 30 minutes travel time for pick up only. Johnny would be in care 17.5 hours within a 24-hour period (12-hour shift + five (5) hours sleep time + 30 minutes travel time). Because a child cannot be authorized to a licensed provider for more than 14 hours per day, only 14 hours of care can be authorized. Travel time could not be included in the authorization because Johnny would still be in care during that time. |
Subsidized hours are capped at 75 hours per week. For more information about the subsidy calculation, see Section 18.5.
This section last updated 12/1/2022