Get Kids Ready Requirement to Meet WMELS Información en español In order to participate in Get Kids Ready, certified and licensed child care providers must use a curriculum that meets the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS). WMELS Verification During the Program Eligibility Verification Application, child care providers will be asked to select that their curriculum meets WMELS in one of the following ways: YoungStar: The child care program has earned the Developmentally Appropriate Environments (DAE) indicator in its YoungStar rating Accreditation: The child care program is accredited by one of the accrediting bodies accepted under DCF’s YoungStar accreditation policy Head Start: The child care program is a Head Start program with a curriculum that meets the Head Start Performance Standards Other: The child care program’s curriculum meets WMELS as demonstrated in its responses to the following questions: What information do you use to track and set goals for children’s growth and development? How do you communicate with families about their child’s growth and development? How does your curriculum meet the five WMELS domains (health and physical development, social and emotional development, language development and communication, approaches to learning, and cognition and general knowledge)? If the way a child care provider's program meets WMELS changes during the school year, they will have the opportunity to update this during each Payment Application. Curriculum Development Child care providers do not need to purchase a specific curriculum for Get Kids Ready. They will need to verify their curriculum meets WMELS by selecting one of the above during the Program Eligibility Verification Application. If you need assistance with curriculum that meets WMELS, the below resources are available: Child care providers participating in YoungStar can view resources on the YoungStar Connect webpage and contact their YoungStar coach. Contact your local Child Care Resource & Referral Agency. Frequently Asked Questions Please read through the Frequently Asked Questions for more information. Contact Information Still have questions? Please submit a Get Kids Ready Inquiry form. Return to Get Kids Ready webpage for child care providers.
