September 11 Child Care Provider Updates

Biennial Budget Updates: Get Kids Ready

The 2025-27 Biennial Budget, known as 2025 Wisconsin Act 15, provides an annual $66 million investment to DCF to fund “Get Kids Ready,” a new community-based elementary school readiness initiative to support licensed or certified child care providers serving four-year-olds. Read the Get Kids Ready FAQs for the latest updates.

DCF will be working in the weeks and months ahead to implement the law as required. Additional information will be shared through the DCF Child Care Provider Listserv, Tuesday Talks, and the department’s Early Care and Education Biennial Budget webpage.

Staff-to-Child Ratio Worksheets are Updated!

The Staff-to-Child Ratio Worksheet for group child care centers has been updated! The worksheet now includes the new group child care pilot ratios that are currently in effect with new weights associated with birth to 18 months and 18 months to 2½ years. The form is available as a PDF and Word document through the DCF Forms Search page.

If you have any questions regarding the new ratio weights, please contact your regional licensing office.

Additional Resources

• Child Care Licensing Contacts
• Early Care and Education Biennial Budget Information – 2025-27
   

Tuesday Talks: Join us Tuesday, September 16

The next Tuesday Talks with DECE webinar is this coming Tuesday, September 16 at 1:30 p.m. and the topic is: Child Care Bridge Payments and the Wisconsin Registry.

Registration is not required for these events. Tuesday Talks with DECE is held the third Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. Visit the DCF Tuesday Talks with DECE webpage to learn more.

Ensure Your Child Care Provider Portal Staff Information is Accurate

Child care providers are reminded to regularly update their program’s information in the Child Care Provider Portal (CCPP) to ensure the individuals listed include only current or prospective employees or household members. DCF conducts ongoing compliance monitoring based on information entered in the Provider Portal, so accuracy is important.

Note: Removing individuals from the Registry classroom staff does not remove them from the CCPP. Individuals need to be updated in both places.

For more information about updating your CCPP account, review the Child Care Provider Portal Tip Sheet. If you have questions, please contact your licensing or certification specialist. You can also contact the Child Care Background Unit by email at DCFPlicBECRCBU@wisconsin.gov or by calling 608-422-7400.

September Child Care Bridge Payments Count Weeks

The September Count Weeks are September 7-20, 2025. Organize your records now so you are ready for the update/application week. You must review and update your application every month. See the Child Care Payments Calendar for future Count and Update Weeks.

The next update/application period is September 20-28, 2025. 

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Child Care Payments Support Center by email DCFDECECOVID19CCPayments@wisconsin.gov or call and speak with a support center specialist at 608-535-3650, M-F, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Reminder: DCF is Hiring for the Northern Licensing/Certification Specialist

Are you passionate about supporting the health, safety, and quality of care for young children? If you're an experienced child care teacher or early care educator looking to expand your impact beyond the classroom, consider joining our team as a Child Care Licensing Specialist with the Bureau of Early Care Regulation.

The Division of Early Care and Education (DECE), Bureau of Early Care Regulation (BECR), is currently recruiting to fill a Licensing/Certification Specialist position in our Northern Region headquartered in Rhinelander, WI.

Our Northern regional office is located at 2187 N. Stevens St. in Rhinelander, WI and is comprised primarily of field work requiring on-site, in-person visits approximately 3-4 days per week within the region. DCF has fleet vehicles available for use for required travel. Hybrid work options will be discussed further during the interview. Employees will be required to report to Madison, WI or Milwaukee, WI on their first day of employment. High-speed internet access is required to meet the needs of hybrid work.

Come see why DCF is such a great place to work! The deadline to apply is September 15, 2025. Learn more about this position on Wisc.Jobs.

Upcoming Events and Education/Training Opportunities

The below events are hosted by DCF, one of its partners, or is one that may be relevant to the early childhood field. Click/tap on the titles below to learn more about each event.

• Virtual: Keeping Children Safe: Preparing Environments for Effective Supervision
  • Explore how intentional room arrangements can improve group supervision when featuring open sightlines, clearly defined zones, and an awareness of hazards. Discuss how to strategically position staff indoors and outdoors so that every child is consistently visible, heard, and quickly supported when needed. Spanish interpretation is not available.
  • Live session | September 25 | 5:30 – 7 p.m.
  • Register through the Wisconsin Registry. | Registration closes on September 22, 2025
  • Questions? Contact Mary Niec at mniec@youngstarconnect.com