Child Care Provider Regulation

What is a regulated child care provider?

Information for CCTAP student parents regarding regulation:

Research on early childhood development indicates that continuity and quality of care are important for the child's development. Children need a stable environment with responsive, nurturing and consistent caregivers. We urge you to utilize the highest quality care available.

To be eligible for CCTAP funding, the child(ren) must be enrolled in a licensed state of Wisconsin family or child care center. Additionally, family child care providers must have a social security number, work permit, and complete a federal W-9 tax form.

If you have questions about whether your provider is regulated, contact 4-C's at (608) 271-9181 or certification@4-c.org.

If your child care provider is not certified by 4-C's, and you wish to begin the process, please allow 30-60 days to complete the process.

There are differing levels of regulation, as explained below.

You may also email Joyce Jennings Currier at jjenningscurrier@provost.wisc.edu with any questions about CCTAP eligibility pertaining to your chosen provider.

Information for parents regarding state licensing:

For information about becoming a licensed provider or for information about the status of a provider’s license, call state licensing at (608) 243-2400.

The following information on Regulation has been provided by Community Coordinated Child Care, Inc. (4-C's):

Child care centers and family child care providers, who care for more than three children, need to be regulated through state licensing to operate legally in Wisconsin.

Although being regulated does not guarantee the highest quality or best care for your family's needs, it means that the center/provider has met the minimum guidelines established by the state.

All campus child care centers MUST meet City of Madison /NAEYC standards (highest level of accreditation) to operate as outlined in FAPP 38.

Family Child Care Regulation:

Family child care certification options are listed here from lowest to highest level of standards.

PROVISIONALLY CERTIFIED
(Dane County)
Through 4-C's (608) 271-9181

• Three or fewer children under the age of seven plus the provider's own children
• SIDS training required
• No continuing education required
• Initial home visit conducted by 4-C's staff before becoming provisionally certified
• Visits by 4-C's conducted annually and/or if a complaint is filed
• Providers pay a $50 non-refundable application fee to 4-C’s
• Provider can care for child of family receiving county assistance

REGULARLY CERTIFIED
(Dane County)
Through 4-C's (608) 271-9181

• Three or fewer children under the age seven plus the provider's own children
• Initial training of 20 hours plus SIDS training
• Five hours of continuing education required annually
• Initial home visit conducted by 4-C's staff before becoming certified
• Visits conducted annually and/or if a complaint is filed
• $50 non-refundable application fee
• Provider can care for child of family receiving county assistance

LICENSED PROVIDER
(State of Wisconsin)
Southern Regional Licensing Office (608) 243-2400

• If caring for 4-8 children, State Licensing is mandatory
• 8 or fewer children including the provider's own if under age 7
• Initial training of 40 hours plus 10 more if caring for children under age 2
• 15 hours of continuing education required yearly
• Pre-licensing consultation with Wisconsin Child Care Improvement project
• 1-2 home visits during licensing process
• Yearly home visit after becoming fully licensed
• Written policies must be given to parent when child is enrolled
• Fee: $12.50 for 6 month Provisional License: $50 for 2 year license
• Provider can care for child of family receiving County Assistance

CITY of MADISON and/or NATIONALLY ACCREDITED (note: City of Madison and NAEYC Accreditation are essentially duplicative processes)

(City or National Level)
Through NAEFCC or WECA 1-800-424-2460 or (608) 257-0909

• Family child care homes and centers voluntarily apply for accreditation
• The program engages in an extensive study based on accreditation criteria
• The program must meet or exceed requirements for their regulation
• The accreditation process examines the total program emphasizing on the quality of interactions among staff and children and the developmental appropriateness of the curriculum

(City of Madison)
Through Satellite Family Child Care Inc. (608) 275-6740

• 1-3 children under the age of 7 years, if Licensed, 4-8 children
• 12-15 hours continuing education required yearly
• Monitored Family Day Care homes meeting city quality standards
• Assists with registration and/or licensing while becoming certified
• Home visit at initial enrollment: then 4-8 home visits annually
• 7 hours Respite Care every 3 months; more available for a fee
• Access to special curriculum units and equipment loan
• Provider Fee: Enrollment and monthly fee (waived for low income providers)
• Can care for child of family receiving City or County Assistance

Child Care Centers Regulation:

STATE LICENSURE

All child care centers in Wisconsin must be state licensed (see state licensing above) to legally operate.

Centers may choose to apply for National and/or City of Madison Accreditation. Both processes require standards for quality that exceed state licensure.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN ACCREDITATION (NAEYC)

This process requires a child care center to complete an annual self-report showing compliance with NAEYC standards; plus a site visit every five years. NAEYC standards are accepted as a benchmark for high quality care and may be viewed at www.NAEYC.org.

CITY OF MADISON ACCREDITATION

Child care centers operating in Dane County are eligible to apply for City of Madison Accreditation, which is a more extensive process than the national accreditation. Centers that fulfill City of Madison Accreditation undergo 4-5 accreditation visits annually with ongoing consultation and assistance. Additionally, City of Madison makes quality improvement grants available to those centers who become accredited.

For a list of City of Madison Accredited centers, go to www.cityofmadison.com/commserv/CommunityAccreditation.html and click on the City Accredited Child Care Centers link.

Questions? Call (608) 266-6520