Get Kids Ready Program Eligibility Verification Application Información en español Child care providers who submitted an Intent to Participate must also complete a Get Kids Ready Program Eligibility Verification Application. Important Dates and Requirements 2026-27 Program Eligibility Verification Application Dates The Program Eligibility Verification Application for the 2026-27 Get Kids Ready School year was available in the Child Care Provider Portal April 6, 2026 through May 15, 2026. Eligibility Requirements Child care providers will need to meet all eligibility requirements to participate in Get Kids Ready. However, requirements are verified at different checkpoints throughout the application process. During the Program Eligibility Verification Application providers must: Submit a schedule showing at least 437 hours of Get Kids Ready instruction between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027 Show their curriculum meets Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS) Meet legal, regulatory, and financial requirements Re-attest that they understand and meet all Get Kids Ready eligibility and application requirements See below for more information. Program Eligibility Verification Application Overview When completing the Program Eligibility Verification Application providers will: Re-attest that they understand and meet all Get Kids Ready eligibility and application requirements listed in the Intent to Participate, including that their program does not have a contract with a school district to provide a 4-year-old kindergarten for the upcoming school year Verify and/or upload required evidence of meeting eligibility requirements, including: A schedule showing at least 437 hours of Get Kids Ready instruction between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027 View sample schedules and an optional template to use during upload An indication of how their curriculum meets Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS) by selecting one of the following: 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)? That Get Kids Ready lead teachers have an associate or bachelor’s degree, if you already have a lead teacher identified Child care providers will be asked to select the names of their Get Kids Ready lead teachers from a list of teachers associated with their program in the background check system. DCF will review data from the Wisconsin Registry to determine if the selected teachers have an associate or bachelor’s degree. Note: We encourage child care providers to verify that their Get Kids Ready lead teachers’ degrees show in their Wisconsin Registry profiles under Education. DCF will provide an opportunity for a separate review of that teacher’s degree attainment in the event that the Get Kids Ready lead teacher has a submitted an application to the Wisconsin Registry that has not yet been processed or other limited exceptions. Note: This section can be left blank at the time of the Program Eligibility Verification Application. Child care providers will need to confirm all Get Kids Ready lead teachers have an associate or bachelor’s degree during Payment Applications. Confirm or reduce (but not increase from the number submitted in the Intent to Participate) the maximum number of Get Kids Ready slots they intend to make available. DCF will notify providers when their eligibility is verified on a rolling basis, but no later than June 2, 2026. The earliest date approved providers may begin offering Get Kids Ready services is July 1, 2026. 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.
