Wisconsin Child Care Centers and Homes License: Requirements, Cost & How to Apply (2026)

Wisconsin Department of Children and Families

Wisconsin Department of Children and Families

Wisconsin Department of Children and Families

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

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https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/cclicensing/rules/fcc

Licensing Rules for Family Child Care Centers

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Family child care license applicants and lead providers must be at least 18.

Family child care license applicants and lead providers must be at least 18.

An applicant for a license to operate a family child care center shall be an individual who is at least 18 years of age. Before beginning to work with children in care, a lead provider shall be at least 18 years of age

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Three credits in early childhood education or a department-approved, non-credit course in early childhood education. A noncredit, department-approved course in operating a child care business or 2 credits in business or program administration. The Registry Family Child Care Credential. A child development associate credential in family child care issued by the Council for Professional Recognition.

Family lead providers qualify through the specified early-childhood plus business-course route, the Registry Family Child Care Credential, or a family child care CDA. The business-course route has an exception for continuous regulated care since December 31, 2008.

Three credits in early childhood education or a department-approved, non-credit course in early childhood education. A noncredit, department-approved course in operating a child care business or 2 credits in business or program administration. The Registry Family Child Care Credential. A child development associate credential in family child care issued by the Council for Professional Recognition.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Family child care businesses must maintain liability insurance if cats or dogs are allowed in areas accessible to children. Parents must receive written information about premises/business coverage.

Family child care businesses must maintain liability insurance if cats or dogs are allowed in areas accessible to children. Parents must receive written information about premises/business coverage.

Maintain liability insurance on the child care business if cats or dogs are allowed in areas accessible to children during the hours of operation. Provide written information to parents on whether a licensee has insurance coverage on the premises and on the child care business.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

A regular license is non-expiring but is reviewed every two years.

A regular license is non-expiring but is reviewed every two years. Applies to: Regular child care licenses

A regular license is non-expiring but is reviewed every two years.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Family child care CE topics include infectious-disease control, medication administration, food/allergy emergencies, and business operations.

Family child care CE topics include infectious-disease control, medication administration, food/allergy emergencies, and business operations.

Prevention and control of infectious diseases. Medication administration. Prevention of and response to emergencies due to food and allergic reactions. Business operations.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Care and supervision for four or more children under seven for less than 24 hours a day requires licensing, subject to the statutory exemptions.

Care and supervision for four or more children under seven for less than 24 hours a day requires licensing, subject to the statutory exemptions.

Section 48.65, Stats., requires that persons operating child care centers which provide care and supervision for 4 or more children under age 7 years for less than 24 hours a day be licensed.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

The published family fee for capacity four to eight is $60.50 every two years; the initial six-month probationary fee is $15.12. The published group fee for nine or more is $30.25 plus $16.94 per licensed capacity place every two years.

The published family fee for capacity four to eight is $60.50 every two years; the initial six-month probationary fee is $15.12. The published group fee for nine or more is $30.25 plus $16.94 per licensed capacity place every two years.

requires a child care center that provides care and supervision for 4 to 8 children to pay a fee of $60.50 every two years. The 6-month probationary license fee is $15.12 requires a child care center that provides care and supervision for 9 or more children to pay a two-year fee of $30.25, plus a two-year fee of $16.94 per child, based on the licensed capacity.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Family licensees and providers need at least 15 qualifying continuing-education hours annually.

Family licensees and providers need at least 15 qualifying continuing-education hours annually.

Each licensee and provider shall satisfactorily complete at least 15 hours of qualifying continuing education annually.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

A center director for a program licensed to serve 50 or fewer children must meet all of the following conditions: Be at least 21 years of age. Have at least 240 hours of experience as a teacher or assistant teacher in a group child care center or other approved setting Have at least 2 years of experience as a child care teacher or center director in a group child care center or other approved setting.

Group-center directors must be at least 21 and have high school completion/equivalent. Directors for 50 or fewer children need at least 240 hours of qualifying experience; directors for 51 or more need at least two years, plus the applicable preservice qualification route.

A center director for a program licensed to serve 50 or fewer children shall meet all of the following conditions: Be at least 21 years of age. Have at least 240 hours of experience as a teacher or assistant teacher in a group child care center or other approved setting Have at least 2 years of experience as a child care teacher or center director in a group child care center or other approved setting.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Group center administrators, directors and child care workers generally need 15 annual CE hours. Those working fewer than eight months need at least two hours per month; assistant teachers in their first entry-level course are exempt that year.

Group center administrators, directors and child care workers generally need 15 annual CE hours. Those working fewer than eight months need at least two hours per month; assistant teachers in their first entry-level course are exempt that year.

Each administrator, center director, child care worker, school-age administrator, and school-age director shall participate in at least 15 hours of continuing education annually. who works fewer than 8 months per year shall participate in the equivalent of at least 2 hours of continuing education per month of employment Assistant child care teachers who are currently enrolled in their first entry level course are not required to earn continuing education for that year.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026