Order a Family or Group Child Care Inquiry Packet by completing this form and sending with it, a check or money order for $25, payable to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to:
Department of Children and Families
2187 North Stevens Street, Suite C
Rhinelander, WI 54501
Inquiry Packets include a licensing rule book, suggested procedures for starting up a program, a start-up worksheet, and other information necessary to begin the start-up process. Once you receive the packet, complete the Child Care Business Start-Up Worksheet and mail to:
Supporting Families Together Association
700 Rayovac Drive, Suite 6
Madison, WI 53711
Supporting Families Together Association and our partnering Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies support potential early care and education professionals getting off to a strong start. With the assistance of the WI Department of Children and Families, SFTA and our partners provide the following services to potential licensed providers:
- A maximum of 8 hours of technical assistance for potential group child care providers
- Phone and/or email technical assistance
- one policy review (required)
- one site visit (required)
- A maximum of 6 hours of technical assistance for potential family child care providers
- Phone and/or email technical assistance
- one policy review (required)
- one site visit (required)
Once the worksheet is received, SFTA will assign a technical consultant to provide you with limited support—free of charge—in the areas of licensing rules and procedures, written policies, and environments. Additional technical consultation may be arranged to support providers in their preparation efforts, for an additional investment. For more information, please ask your technical consultant.
For a more detailed outline of the full process to become licensed, visit the WI Department of Children and Families’ Child Care Start-Up Information webpage. For ideas and inspiration, read about Wisconsin child care programs succeeding in YoungStar.