Order a group center policy template
Purchase SFTA's group center policy template to take the guesswork out of creating your policy. Our template can easily be customized to your unique program and vision.
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Core Competencies in family support
To view this resource, log in as an SFTA MemberStandards of Quality Training
To view this resource, log in as an SFTA MemberHome Visiting Training & TA
To view this resource, log in as an SFTA MemberSpecial Education Supports
To view this resource, log in as an SFTA MemberInfant Mental Health Endorsement
To view this resource, log in as an SFTA MemberArranging your home for family child care
Tips on how to arrange and use your existing furniture to function for your in-home family child care business.
YoungStar Rating Criteria
The YoungStar evaluation criteria outlines the items that will be evaluated. Familiarizing yourself with the criteria can help you prepare for a YoungStar rating.
Child Care Certification
Everything you need to know to become a certified family child care provider in Wisconsin. Note: A certified family provider is different than a licensed family provider.
Social-Emotional Indicators for Infants and Toddlers
A bulleted guide of social-emotional developmental indicators for children aged birth through 3.5 years.
The Infant Toddler Temperament Tool (IT3)
Take a short online survey that allows parents and caregivers of infants and toddlers to recognize and explore their own temperament traits and those of the children in their care.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Learn about childhood trauma, including causes, standard of care, access to services for traumatized children, and more.
Physical Developmental Delay Tool
Use this tool to learn more about physical developmental delays for children ages 5 and under. The information is meant to help you start a conversation with your child’s pediatrician.
Act Early (Wisconsin)
Resources to help parents and care providers identify and respond to potential delays in children's development.
Act Early (CDC)
Resources to help parents and care providers identify and respond to potential delays in children's development.
Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Best Practices
This overview explains what Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation is, its benefits, and what you can expect when meeting with an IMH Consultant.
Wisconsin Alliance for Infant Mental Health (WIAIMH)
WIAIMH promotes social-emotional learning and relationship-based practices that are in the best interest of infants, young children, and their families.
Core Competencies for Family Support Professionals
To view this resource, log in as an SFTA MemberTraining: ACES 101
To view this resource, log in as an SFTA MemberReflective Supervision Resources
To view this resource, log in as an SFTA MemberPutting Reflective Supervision into Practice
To view this resource, log in as an SFTA MemberTips for Becoming a Reflective Supervisor
To view this resource, log in as an SFTA Member“Building Parent Leadership” Manual
To view this resource, log in as an SFTA MemberStandards of Quality for Family Support
To view this resource, log in as an SFTA MemberTraining: Protective Factors Overview
To view this resource, log in as an SFTA MemberTraining: Recognizing Head Trauma
To view this resource, log in as an SFTA Member21 Free Online Design Tools
These websites can help you create professional quality advertisements and materials.
Essential Design & Print Materials for Any Business
An overview of the print materials every business needs, with tips and links to help you design and create them yourself.
Facebook for Business
Learn how to create and use a Facebook page for your business that represents your brand and drives customers.
Top 10 Website Builders
A list of top sites that can help you build your business's website by yourself.
Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation
WWBIC assists individuals who are starting, strengthening, or expanding businesses by providing direct lending, quality business and financial capability education, and one-on-one technical business assistance.
Wisconsin Small Business Development Center
The Wisconsin SBDC offers consulting, education, referrals, sophisticated tools and resources, whether you’re just getting started or looking for ways to improve your business.
U.S. Small Business Administration
Information to help you plan, start, manage, and grow your child care business.
SCORE Business Mentoring
SCORE’s mission is to foster vibrant small business communities through mentoring and education. Find a mentor or become a mentor today.
Nonprofit VOTE
Resources for nonprofits to engage the people they serve in voting, elections, and advocacy.
MyVote Wisconsin
View upcoming elections, request an absentee ballot, update your voter information, register to vote, and more.
Early Childhood Advocacy Toolkit
This toolkit is designed to prepare ordinary people to successfully advocate for public policies that benefit young children and their families.
Find your U.S. Congress Members
Enter your address to find your senators and representatives in the United State Congress.
Wisconsin State Legislature
Find your representatives, view current issues on the floor, find committee schedules, and more.
Wisconsin Budget Process
An overview of Wisconsin's budget process and how you can participate.
Lobbying in Wisconsin
Overview and best practices of Wisconsin's lobbying rules and restrictions.
How Bills Become Laws in Wisconsin
Understand Wisconsin’s legislative process and how you as a private citizen can participate in the process of shaping laws.
Micro-Grant Purchasing Matrix
This cheat sheet is a handy guide to the types of materials available for purchase, vendors, and required documents.
Micro-Grant Program Handbook
An overview of all things YoungStar Micro-Grant.
Tips for ACH Reimbursement
ACH payments are electronic payments made through the Automated Clearing House network, a secure system for clearing electronic payments between banks. ACH can help you receive your reimbursement faster.
T.E.A.C.H.
T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood WISCONSIN provides higher education scholarships to professionals who work in regulated early childhood and school age care settings.
Reimbursement Guide
There are some purchases that micro-grant staff are not able to make on your behalf, including costs for services, training, most accreditation fees, subscriptions, memberships, etc. For these items, you should make the initial purchase and submit documentation to receive reimbursement
Art Center Ideas
These art materials do not count as "consumables" in your micro-grant, so you can build your art center by spending as much of your micro-grant on them as you wish.
Ideas on How to Use Your Micro-Grant
A list a ways you can creatively use your micro-grant to improve quality in your child care program.
Micro-Grant FAQs
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about the YoungStar micro-grants program.
Vendor Discount List
Micro-grant purchases made through these vendors can receive discounted prices.
Family Style Dining Guide for ECE Programs
This meal service approach can help early care and education programs prevent childhood obesity and support children in developmentally appropriate mealtime experiences.
Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
CACFP is a federally-funded program that can provide licensed or certified child care providers with financial reimbursement for serving nutritious meals and snacks to kids in their care.
National Health & Safety Standards for Child Care
A publication outlining the national health and safety performance standards guidelines for early care and education programs.
Playground Safety Information
An overview of potential hazards on playgrounds and recommended safety precautions for child care providers.
Kids in Danger
This nonprofit organization is dedicated to protecting children through product safety, recommending safe usage, and tracking product recalls.
SFTA Pinterest Page
Our Pinterest page has numerous boards with ideas for developmentally appropriate classroom materials, activities, and much more!
Poisonous Plants List
Children want to touch everything -- this guide can help parents and educators avoid keeping plants that can cause problems if eaten, or after skin or eye contact.
Child Care Purchasing Alliance
The Child Care Purchasing Alliance (CCPA) helps nonprofits and child care centers save time and money when purchasing the products and services you use most, including insurance.
YoungStar on DCF
Explore DCF's robust YoungStar webpage, including overview information, contracts, testimonials, and more.
YoungStar Regional Contacts
Get in touch with the agency responsible for YoungStar services in your area.
YoungStar Contracts
YoungStar renewal and first-time contracts.
Tom Copeland’s Blog
Tom Copeland is an expert on family child care business practices, including tax returns, marketing, contracts and policies, insurance, managing finances, and retirement planning.
Small Business Loans & Child Care Providers
An overview of small business loans available for child care providers.
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
The Wisconsin Department of Revenue website.
Core Financial Competencies
Proven resources used and/or developed by University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension Financial Education professionals.
Child Care Business Tool Kit
The Tool Kit is intended to be used as a desk top organizer and filing system to store business records for a family child care provider.
How to Manage the Budget of a Child Care Business
This slideshow explains how and why you should create an effective budget for your child care business.
Budget, Tax, Record Requirements for YoungStar
Information for providers looking to earn the YoungStar point of creating and following a budget and completing timely and accurate tax records.
Formula for Financial Policy in ECE Programs
An explanation of how rates, enrollment, and fee collection create the "Iron Triangle" of sound financial policy in early childhood programs.
Metrics for Quality and Sustainability in ECE Programs
A look at how to balance quality and finances through business metrics, including a discussion of why metrics matter, what metrics should be tracked, and how these data can be used.
Early Care and Education Cost Modeling
Examining cost modeling as a method of calculating likely cost of providing early care and education services, compared with revenues.
Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators
A description of the core body of knowledge, skills, values, and dispositions early childhood educators must demonstrate to effectively promote the development, learning, and well-being of all young children.
Unifying Framework for Early Childhood Educators
A publication reflecting the consensus of how to advance a unified, diverse, equitable, and effective early childhood education profession.
Worker’s Compensation
Information on legal obligations of employers around worker's compensation, and information for filing employees.
Wisconsin Labor Standards
Resources for employers, including information on labor standards, work hours, overtime FAQs, breaks, fair employment, and more.
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
Review Wisconsin's employment laws, including equal rights, worker's compensation, wages, disability, and more.
Kids Gardening
A resource to help parents and educators think creatively about getting children involved in gardening and active in nature.
USDA MyPlate
Official nutrition recommendations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“Best Practices for Healthy Eating” Guide
A guide to recommended foods and meal positions for children by age.
“Healthy Bites” Childhood Nutrition Guide
A guide to meal planning for children and providing proper nutrition, particularly in early care and education settings.
Bright by Text
Bright by Text sends free text messages with easy, practical tips and activities targeted to your child’s age to support development, language and early literacy, health and safety, behavior, and more.
Sesame Street Healthy Habits Guide
With help from your Sesame Street friends, find fun-filled activities that add physical activity into everyday moments -- hopping on the sidewalk, jumping in puddles, dancing to music, and more.
Text4Baby
Text4Baby is a free mobile text messaging service that provides moms-to-be, new moms and family members with information to help them care for themselves and their baby.
American Academy of Pediatrics on Fitness
Daily physical activity recommendations and ideas to get children moving and healthy.
Kids Health from UW Health
A website from UW dedicated to helping children grow up healthy, from newborn to teen.
“Active Early” Guide
To view this resource, log in as an SFTA MemberSocial and Emotional Foundations Tip Sheets
Helpful tips sheets on nurturing children's social and emotional intelligence, including targeted support around biting, routines, and much more.
Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ)
This free and confidential screening tool will help you see if your child’s developmental progress is on time and alert you to any potential concerns that you can talk over with your health care provider.
CDC’s Developmental Milestones
Children reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act, and move. See the developmental milestones children should reach from 2 months to 5 years.
Zero to Three
ZERO TO THREE offers a wide variety of resources that help parents and caretakers understand and meet the needs of their babies and toddlers.
UW-Extension Parent Resource Center
Select your child's age or your family's needs to find helpful resources and newsletters.
“Reading Rockets” Literacy and Language Support
Find activities, games, and tips that help teach your child to read and build literacy.
Vroom App
Learn about Vroom, a free app created by early childhood experts that provides tips and reminders to help parents have fun, brain building interactions with their children.
Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS)
The Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS) training specifies developmental expectations for children from birth through first grade.
National Fatherhood Initiative
Find tips, resources, and programs to support fathers.
Find a Parenting Program
Learn about and connect with the many evidence-based parenting programs offered throughout Wisconsin.
ACCESS Wisconsin benefits
With ACCESS, you can apply for and manage your state of Wisconsin benefits and programs in one place, at any time.
211 Wisconsin
A 211 search can connect you with thousands of nonprofit and government services in your area.
WI Directory of Services for Women, Children, and Families
This county-by-county directory provides general information about programs and services in Wisconsin that offer assistance to children and pregnant women.
Home Visiting: Find a Program Near You
Find the Home Visiting program that's right for you family with this interactive spreadsheet that lets you filter by program type, county, and size.
Home Visiting: Wisconsin Programs
Learn about the six types of Home Visiting programs offered throughout Wisconsin to see which is right for your family.
Home Visiting: Evidence of Effectiveness
Learn more about the many benefits of Home Visiting programs and how they could help your children and family.
Five for Families
Understanding how to build upon your family’s strengths in five essential areas can help you feel more confident, less stressed, and better connected to your children.
Be Strong Families
Be Strong Families offers cafes, trainings, workshops, and more to support parents.
Video: How to Find Child Care
Get tips on how to find high quality child care in Wisconsin from CCR&R child care referral specialists.
“How to Read the Stars” YoungStar brochure
Learn how to understand YoungStar quality ratings and what is measured with each Star rating.
Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy Program
The Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy Program supports families by funding a portion of the cost of child care while the parents are working or participating in an approved activity.
Wisconsin Circuit Court Records
Conduct a name-based search of your child care provider in Wisconsin's Circuit Court records.
YoungStar for Parents
Search for YoungStar-rated child care providers, learn what the ratings mean, and find YoungStar FAQs on DCF's YoungStar for Parents webpages.
“Walk in My Shoes” Brochure
A handy checklist to help parents identify high quality child care programs.
Wisconsin Family Child Care Association
WFCCA is a statewide organization of Family Child Care providers and their supporters.
Search for Available Locations
Search commercial and industrial sites/buildings available throughout Wisconsin.
YoungStar Group Policy Checklist
YoungStar's requirements for what must be included in your group center's policy in order to earn a 4 or 5 Star rating.
Group Policy Checklist
Outlines the required and recommended items that should be included in your group child care program's policy document.
What to Look for in a Location
Helpful guidance concerning what rooms, sizes, outdoor spaces, and more to look for in a prospective group child care location.
Training Requirements for Group Center Staff
Entry-level trainings required for group child care directors and teachers.
Family Initial Licensing Checklist
The checklist used to score family centers seeking a child care license.
Group Initial Licensing Checklist
The checklist used to score group centers seeking a child care license.
Licensing Forms & Publications
A free library of sample forms for child care providers, including policies, incident reports, enrollment forms, background checklists, and more.
Licensing Rules & Manuals
Free copies of Wisconsin's licensing rules and commentary manuals are available on DCF's website.
Becoming a Family Child Care Provider FAQs
FAQs about requirements, trainings, inspections, and materials needed to become a family child care provider.
How to Open a Group Child Care Center
A step-by-step guide to obtaining a group child care license in Wisconsin.
How to Become a Family Child Care Provider
A step-by-step guide to obtaining a family child care license in Wisconsin.
Order a Licensing Inquiry Packet
Completing this form is the first step toward becoming a certified/licensed child care provider.
Background Check Requirements
All individuals providing certified or licensed child care in Wisconsin must completed a background check process.
Entry-Level Training Requirements
Certain entry-level courses are required to become a licensed family provider, assistant group teacher, or lead group teacher.
Overview of the Licensing Process
This short guide introduces when care should become regulated and gives an overview of requirements to become certified or licensed.
Sign up for DCF’s Provider Email Listserve
The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families sends regular email updates with information and resources for child care providers.
Starting a Licensed Child Care
A step-by-step guide to starting a licensed Family or Group child care program in Wisconsin.