4.1 Introduction

In Wisconsin, childcare is regulated (monitored) to ensure that children are in safe, healthy, and nurturing environments. According to the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families:

“Under Wisconsin law, no person may provide care and supervision for four (4) or more children under the age of 7 for less than 24 hours a day unless that person obtains a license to operate a childcare center from the Department.”

The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families oversees childcare regulation. They monitor all regulated care in Wisconsin, ensuring that every environment meets the minimum health and safety standards. They also provide resources and tools for providers to help them meet and even exceed these standards to ensure children and families have access to high-quality childcare.

4.2 Licensed vs. Certified Childcare

Wisconsin offers two types of regulated childcare: licensed and certified. Each type of care offers unique benefits, ensuring families have access to safe and supportive childcare options in Wisconsin’s communities.

Licensed Care

Licensed providers care for four or more unrelated children under age 7 and must meet specific state regulations.

There are three different categories of state licensed care:

• Licensed Family Childcare Centers: Typically, in the provider’s home for between 4 and 8 children.
• Licensed Group Childcare Centers: Typically, located somewhere other than a home and can be small or large in size and are for more than 9 children.
• Licensed Day Camps: Seasonal programs typically operated in an outdoor setting that provide experiences for 4 or more children 3 years of age and older.

Certified Care

Certified providers, though voluntarily regulated, can care for up to three unrelated children under age 7. Certification is available for family childcare providers who are not required to be licensed, but who wish to care for children in their home.

Benefits of Childcare Certification

• Provider is able to care for Wisconsin Shares subsidized children
• Provider may participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program
• Provider may get parent referrals from Child Care Resource and Referral Agency

4.3 Group Childcare Regulatory Requirements

In Wisconsin, group childcare centers can provide care and supervision for less than 24 hours a day for nine or more children who are not related to the provider. These centers are typically located somewhere other than a home and are typically what you think of when you hear the term “daycare or childcare center.”

Group centers are required to be licensed in Wisconsin. All group care facilities must follow the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Licensing Rules for Group Child Care Centers.

The Group Child Care Licensing Manual PDF has information about the rules regarding the following information in Table 4a that is important for early childhood educators to know.

Being familiar with and understanding the Wisconsin Group Child Care Licensing Manual is a critical component of becoming a competent early childhood educator because these regulations serve as the foundation for high-quality childcare. While the information may seem extensive, each regulation serves a purpose. Knowing and applying these guidelines helps teachers in the following ways:

• Keeps children safe, healthy, and engaged.
• Ensures their classroom meets legal and ethical standards.
• Provides a developmentally appropriate and inclusive learning environment.
• Maintains professional integrity and credibility.

By mastering these regulations, teachers become more confident, competent, and effective in their role—ultimately improving outcomes for the children and families they serve.

4.4 Family Child Care Regulatory Requirements

In Wisconsin, childcare providers who offer care in a home setting may either be licensed or certified, depending on the number of children they care for. A licensed family childcare program provides care and supervision for at least four and no more than eight children who are not related to the provider for less than 24 hours a day. However, some family childcare providers are not required to be licensed but may still choose to obtain certification. Certification is a voluntary form of regulation for providers caring for fewer than four children under 7 years of age. The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) 202 outlines the standards for certification, ensuring that those caring for one to three children or those who do not require a license still meet basic quality and safety standards.

Additionally, providers may receive provisional certification, which is issued to childcare operators who have demonstrated compliance with certification standards but have not yet met the requirements for entry-level training. Provisional certification is limited to six months, allowing providers time to complete the necessary training while still offering care.

The Family Child Care Licensing Manual has information about the rules regarding the items identified in Table 4b. This information is important for early childhood educators to know.

Family childcare takes place in a home setting, offering a smaller group size and allows for personalized attention and a comfortable, family-like atmosphere. When providers thoroughly understand and apply these regulations, they enhance their confidence, competence, and effectiveness, ultimately creating better experiences and outcomes for the children and families in their care.

4.5 School-Aged Childcare Regulatory Requirements

In Wisconsin, school-aged childcare is regulated by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to ensure safe, supportive, and developmentally appropriate environments for children ages 5 through 12 before and after school, during holidays, and throughout the summer. These programs may operate as part of a licensed group childcare center, a family childcare home, or a public/private community-based program. Wisconsin regulations require that school-age programs meet specific health and safety standards, including staff-to-child ratios, supervision policies, emergency procedures, and physical space requirements. For example, licensed group centers must maintain a minimum staff-to-child ratio of 1:18 for school-aged children. Programs must also support children’s growing independence while providing structured routines, homework help, and opportunities for enrichment through play, arts, recreation, and social interaction. By adhering to these standards, school-aged childcare programs in Wisconsin aim to offer a safe and enriching environment that supports children’s growth outside the regular school day.

4.6 Conclusion

To maintain high standards, the Monitoring Guide for Wisconsin’s Licensed and Public School Child Care Programs outlines how the Bureau of Early Care Regulation (BECR) ensures compliance with state regulations. BECR conducts on-site visits to licensed group and family childcare centers, as well as day camps, to verify that providers meet all licensing requirements. These visits help uphold quality, safety, and consistency in childcare settings across Wisconsin.

Providing quality childcare takes commitment, knowledge, and the right resources. Regulated childcare providers are skilled professionals trained to support children’s growth in safe and nurturing environments. Their work has a lasting impact, helping children build strong foundations for learning and development. The ultimate goal is to provide care that fosters each child’s potential and well-being.

Learning Activities

4.6 References

Bureau of Early Care Regulation. (2020). DCF 250 Licensing rules for family child care centers with commentary. Wisconsin Department of Children and Families [PDF]. https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/publications/pdf/4069.pdf

Bureau of Early Care Regulation. (2020). DCF 251 Licensing rules for group child care centers with commentary. Wisconsin Department of Children and Families [PDF]. https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/publications/pdf/4024.pdf

Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. (2025). Regulated child care providers are skilled professionals – Child care resource guide for families. Wisconsin.gov. https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/childcare/parents/resource-guide/skilled-professionals

Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. (n.d.). Wisconsin child care regulation. Dcf.wisconsin.gov. https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/ccregulation

Images:

Figure 4a: “5679294322_caa72259b5_k” by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Figure 4b: Open AI. (2025). Chat GPT 4o. [Artificial intelligence system]. https://chatgpt.com/