February 5 Child Care Provider Updates

Get Ready for the February Child Care Bridge Payments Update Period

The next update/application period is February 14-22. Organize your records now so you are ready for the next Child Care Bridge Payments Update/Application Week. You must review and update your application every month. See the Child Care Payments Calendar for future Count and Update Weeks.

Update Week Application Resources

Reminder: the Child Care Bridge Payments end June 28, 2026 and final payments will be posted on July 10, 2026. DCF encourages all eligible child care providers to continue submitting monthly applications through the end of the program.

Support Center

Please send your questions to the Child Care Payments mailbox: DCFDECECOVID19CCPayments@wisconsin.gov and include your name, phone number, provider number, and details of your question in your email. A Support Center specialist will reply as soon as possible. Support Center hours are 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. M-F.

Tuesday Talks – January Recording Now Available

Did you miss the January Tuesday Talks with DECE? The recording for the January talk featuring Get Kids Ready and the Ratios and Enhanced Payments Pilots is now available in the January 20, 2026 accordion on the Tuesday Talks with DECE Recordings webpage. This is where you can access all the resource links shared during the Talk as well.

Tuesday Talks with DECE are held the third Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. The next webinar is Tuesday, February 17 at 1:30 p.m. and will feature a preview of upcoming programs and events. Visit the DCF Tuesday Talks with DECE webpage to access the Zoom link and calendar invitation for the 2026 Tuesday Talks.

Reminder: Public Hearings on Draft Child Care Rule Revisions

The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) is holding two public hearings on proposed administrative rule changes.  

Hearing 1: February 18, 2026, via Zoom, at 2 p.m. The purpose of the public hearing is to solicit verbal or written comments from the public on two of DCF’s proposed rules affecting chs. DCF 202, 250, 251, and 252, relating to child care certification and licensing compliance with federal CCDF requirements and biennial budget licensing rule changes. See the Child Care Rulemaking Projects webpage for complete details about the rule changes.

  • Wednesday, February 18 | 2 p.m.
  • Join the Zoom meeting
  • Join by phone: 1-312-626-6799 or 1-651-372-8299
  • Meeting ID: 733 390 2328

Written comments may be submitted by email to dcfpublichearing@wisconsin.gov. Written comments must be received on or before February 18, 2026.

Hearing 2: February 19, 2026, via Zoom, at 2.pm. The purpose of the public hearing it to solicit verbal or written comments from the public on DCF’s proposed rule affecting ch. DCF 201, relating to child care subsidy compliance with federal CCDF requirements and other updates. See the complete details about the rule change.

  • Thursday, February 19 | 2 p.m.
  • Join the Zoom meeting 
    Join by phone:  1-312-626-6799 or 1-651-372-8299
  • Meeting ID:  733 390 2328

Written comments may be submitted by email to dcfpublichearing@wisconsin.gov. Written comments must be received on or before February 19, 2026.

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.

  • Spanish Virtual: Four-Step Approach to Difficult Conversations with Families
    • This training offers strategies for promoting positive interactions with families that are collaborative, supportive, and focus on problem-solving.
    • Spanish Live session | February 10 | 12-2 p.m.
    • Register through the Wisconsin Registry. Registration closes on February 7, 2026.
    • Questions? Contact Maria Matrak at mmatrak@youngstarconnect.com.
       
  • 2026 Early Childhood Conference: Lyrics and Learning
    • The 2026 Early Childhood Conference, Lyrics and Learning: Harmonizing Language, Literacy & Learning for Little Learners, will be held at Nicolet College in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, and brings together early childhood professionals for a day of engaging, hands-on learning.
    • February 28, 2026 | 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
    • Visit wisconsinchild.org for details. | Register online.
    • Questions? Contact Northwest Connection Family Resources at 714-634-2299.
       
  • Registration is Open for the 2026 Promoting Early Childhood (PEC) Conference!
    • March 4-6, 2026 | Hyatt Regency | Green Bay, WI
    • Theme: Beneath Behavior: Innovative Strategies and Practices for Understanding and Responding to Children’s Needs.
    • Visit the PEC 2026 Conference webpage for details/registration
    • PEC is specifically designed for educators working with children ages 3 through 3rd
    • Questions? Contact Tiffany Swain at swaint@cesa5.org