October 9 Child Care Provider Updates

Two New YoungStar Policy Updates

We’re excited to share two important updates to YoungStar policies that directly respond to feedback from the field. These changes are part of the YoungStar Analysis and Update Project—a multi-year effort to improve the YoungStar system for both providers and families.

Extended Rating Timeline for New Providers

To give new providers more time for coaching, quality improvement, and to prepare for their first rating, DCF has extended the timeline for receiving an initial YoungStar rating from 24 weeks to 1 year. This gives new programs more flexibility to work with their coach, implement quality improvements, and be better prepared for the rating process. This policy is already in effect.

YoungStar Rating Stabilization Pilot

In response to feedback about the challenges of staff turnover and education requirements, DCF is launching the YoungStar Rating Stabilization Pilot, which will run from November 1, 2025 to November 1, 2027.

Key changes under the pilot

  • Staff qualifications will be reviewed once a year—at your rating and again on your staff education verification date (typically your rating anniversary).
  • Your rating will not go down during that year due to staffing changes.
  • Your rating can still go up at any time if staff qualifications improve.
  • Ratings (and any changes) will continue to take effect on the first day of the following month. 

Providers must continue to keep their Wisconsin Registry Program Profile up to date at all times. This helps ensure eligibility for a higher rating if staffing changes allow for it.

Visit the YoungStar Rating Stabilization Pilot webpage for more details.

Help DCF Share the Recent Wisconsin Shares Subsidy Usage Policy Changes with Parents/Caregivers

Under DCF’s new Wisconsin Shares subsidy usage policy, parents are encouraged to use all subsidy funds on their MyWIChildCare EBT card to pay the child care provider, even if that amount is over the amount billed to the family. To help communicate this new policy to parents/caregivers, DCF created this printable flyer. Download and share the flyer with the parents/caregivers. 

You can also learn more about Wisconsin Shares subsidy usage policy change and download the flyer on the DCF website.

October Child Care Bridge Payments Count Weeks

The October Count Weeks are October 5-18, 2025. Start organizing 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 October 18-26, 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: New Early Childhood Training and Technical Assistance Webpage

Check out the new DCF Early Childhood Training and Technical Assistance webpage! This new webpage will help you find the training and technical assistance (TTA) you need.

DCF developed the webpage based on feedback from child care providers about the challenges of finding TTA. You’ll find DCF-funded opportunities, and you can search by organization name or by topic area, such as Business Trainings or Health and Safety. This page does not provide information on every available topic but is meant to help you more easily find assistance that fits you program needs.

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.

  • Free Virtual Training – Being Bullied
  • Wisconsin Early Childhood Partners Spotlight Series!
    • Thriving Wisconsin in partnership with the CCR&R Network is hosting Wisconsin Early Childhood Partners Spotlight Series. This series highlights organizations that support families and early education providers. Registration is free and open to all, including providers, families, and community members. See the Spotlight Series flyer for complete details.
       
  • Reminder: Join the Celebration – Lights on Afterschool
    • Lights On Afterschool, the annual rally for afterschool programs, is back for its 26th year! Every year, more than 8,000 afterschool programs nationwide host celebrations and open up to their communities to showcase what they do every day to keep kids safe and engaged in learning. This year, the event is on October 23.
    • Visit the Lights on Afterschool resource page to learn more.
    • Contact wosta@marshfieldclinic.org if you have additional questions.