Wisconsin Department of Children and Families

Protecting Children, Strengthening Families, Building Communities

Disclaimer

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.

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.

Find Your Local YoungStar Office

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

find your local youngstar office

Department of Children and Families’ public benefit programs will continue during the partial federal government shutdown. Read the full announcement here.

YoungStar Adjustment Information for Child Care Providers and Parents Quality Checked with green checkmark

The goal of YoungStar is to improve the quality of child care and reward high-quality providers by:

  • Establishing a 5 Star quality rating system for all child care providers.
  • Including a YoungStar quality adjustment to be paid directly to 4 Star and 5 Star child care providers who have current Wisconsin Shares authorizations.

 

All providers who accept Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy payments from families receive these payments directly from families through the MyWIChildCare EBT card. Corresponding YoungStar quality adjustments are deposited the first week of the month, directly into a provider's bank account.

 

YoungStar Adjustment Levels

YoungStar quality adjustment levels are based on the child care provider's star rating in the following manner:

  • 5 Star Provider - Meets highest levels of quality standards. A separate YoungStar quality adjustment, for up to 27% of current Wisconsin Shares authorization amounts, will be made directly to the selected child care program to support quality services within the child care setting.
  • 4 Star Provider - Meets elevated levels of quality standards. A separate YoungStar quality adjustment, for up to 11% of current Wisconsin Shares authorization amounts, will be made directly to the selected child care program to support quality services within the child care setting.

Wisconsin Shares subsidy amounts are impacted by the child care provider's star rating in the following manner:

  • 3, 4 or 5 Star Provider - Programs will receive Wisconsin Shares payments directly from families utilizing the MyWIChildCare EBT card. Each family's subsidy amount will be calculated by first taking the county maximum or the provider's price (whichever is lower), and then the family's copayment will be subtracted from the total. Finally, that amount will be loaded onto the card.
  • 2 Star Provider - Programs will receive Wisconsin Shares payments directly from families utilizing the MyWIChildCare EBT card. The authorized Wisconsin Shares Subsidy amount will be reduced by 1% before being placed on the MyWIChildCare EBT card.
  • 1 Star Provider - Families are not eligible for Wisconsin Shares Subsidy amounts if they attend a 1 Star rated program. These providers' child care licenses or certifications have been revoked, denied or suspended, or their Wisconsin Shares payments have been ended due to fraud or suspected fraud.