Report Child Care Fraud

If you suspect Child Care Fraud, be a part of the solution. You may remain anonymous. Please fill out the Child Care Fraud Form, or email dcfmbchildcarefraud @wisconsin.gov.

Find Your Local YoungStar Office

Questions?
Call 888-713-KIDS (5437).

find your local youngstar office

Report a Child Care Concern or Complaint

If you have a concern about something going on in a child care facility or you suspect child abuse, neglect or exploitation at a child care facility, please use the drop-down menu on the Tell Us How We Are Doing page to fill out the appropriate complaint form.

Sign up for YoungStar Updates

Child care providers will receive emails on topics related to YoungStar and child care quality improvement.

YoungStar For Providers

Kindergarten teacher and children

YoungStar is designed to help Wisconsin’s child care providers be as successful as possible. Our 5 Star rating system gives providers like you an objective measure of program quality. It rewards excellence and offers programs a clear and continuous path to improvement.

YoungStar offers training programs, technical assistance, coaching, and other resources to help providers achieve real progress.

The education and nurturing care you provide to children and families has a huge impact on their lives. Maintaining a safe, healthy place for children to learn and grow isn’t easy; it takes hard work and dedication. We're here to help every step of the way.

The brochure, "Make Your Program Shine," offers more information about YoungStar:  English  --  Spanish

 

YoungStar Administration (NEW)

The Department has selected Shine Early Learning to administer all YoungStar services beginning Spring 2023.
Please visit our YoungStar Administration page for more information.

 

YoungStar is Making Changes

YoungStar Quality Adjustment Information 

Effective November 8, 2021, the Department of Children and Families enhanced its current investment in quality care into one that reaches all regulated programs through the Child Care Counts: Stabilization Payment Program.  Visit the Quality Adjustment page for more information. 

 

Changes to YoungStar Rating Criteria in 2021/2022

Are you interested in learning more about the Rating Criteria changes taking place in YoungStar? Visit the Ratings Criteria page for the latest information.

 

Tips for Achieving Your Highest Possible Rating

The following tips can help you achieve the highest possible YoungStar rating and give Wisconsin’s children the best possible start.

Continually Improve

YoungStar-rated child care programs go through an evaluation process that is specific to each program's size and structure. The specific criteria that a program meets determines how many stars it receives. Since a program's rating is renewed every other year, programs have the ability to earn more stars as they continually improve the quality of care they provide.

YoungStar rates a provider around four key categories:

  • The Providers' Education & Training
  • The Learning Environment & Curriculum
  • The Program's Business & Professional Practices
  • The Child's Health & Well-Being

Learn more about the YoungStar rating criteria.

Take a Training

Quality is not an end point, but an ongoing journey. With this in mind, YoungStar offers a variety of low-cost or free trainings around a variety of pertinent topics so you can be learning something new or refreshing your skills on a regular basis.

Visit the Youngstar Training page to locate a training that works for your schedule and budget.

Build Your Skills

Learning a new skill or practice has never been easier, especially with the help of a YoungStar Technical Consultant (TC). TC's can assist you in setting functional goals, measuring progress and improving your program's overall quality. The YoungStar program wants to help you add new skills and knowledge to your ever expanding toolbox.

Explore our Resources for Providers page for ideas.

Maintain Your Registry Program Profile

It's important that programs update and maintain their YoungStar-required Registry Program Profile. The information you enter is automatically used to determine your YoungStar rating. By signing a YoungStar Contract, programs agree to keep their Program Profiles accurate and up-to-date (find the YoungStar policy on "Maintaining Your WI Registry Program Profile" here).

To learn more about program profiles, visit the WI Registry's Resource Center.

Earn Accreditation

Accreditation is an alternative way to a achieve a higher YoungStar rating. YoungStar recognizes accreditations from a variety of well-respected organizations, including the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the City of Madison, Satellite Family Child Care Accreditation, Head Start Performance Standards, Early Learning Leaders, the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC), the Council on Accreditation, and others.

To learn more about accreditation, take a look at the YoungStar Accreditation Policy.

 

How to Apply

How to Apply

Almost any Wisconsin child care provider can participate in YoungStar. It only takes a few simple steps to apply. Get started today.

How to Apply

FAQs for Providers

FAQs for Providers

Still have questions? YoungStar has answers to the questions providers just like you ask the most. It’s the fast and simple way to learn more.

FAQs