Become a child care provider

Choose your own schedule
Great income potential
Be a respected business owner
Benefit from Wisconsin Shares and Food Program funding
Share in your children’s milestones
Make a positive impact on the lives of children

Quality child care is in great demand and we can help you get started by choosing one of the options below!

What is Certification?

Certification is a type of regulation that allows you to provide care in your own home for a maximum of 6 children, subject to specific ratios. Certification is often the first step in becoming a family child care provider and allows you the benefits and protections that regulated care provides. In certain situations, Certification is also appropriate when care is provided in a family’s home. While Child Care Certification is available in all Wisconsin counties, our team serves La Crosse, Monroe, Juneau, Trempealeau, Buffalo and Crawford Counties and can help you determine if Certification is the best fit for your career goals.

Application Process

Start by contacting us! We’ll schedule a short orientation session to discuss the application process and answer any questions you may have about starting your child care business.

Then we will support you in completing the application materials and requirements including:
- Application form
- Background Check Request forms
- Well water test, if applicable
- Rabies vaccination documentation for pets
- Accessing entry-level training courses

Child Care Provider Licensing

The foundation of future development begins during the early childhood years. Research strongly supports the importance of early childhood education as an essential building block of a child’s future success. Being a part of this success can be an incredibly rewarding profession. Many early childhood educators choose this profession to make a difference in a child’s life! Whether you are looking to become an early childhood educator in your home or a childcare center, you will need to begin the Pre-licensing process.

What is Pre-licensing

Pre-Licensing is a FREE service for anyone interested in obtaining a family child care license or a group center license. Our Pre-Licensing Consultants prepare you for licensing by meeting to go over the process, step-by-step. The Pre-Licensing Consultant reviews the policies you have written for your child care, gives feedback to make sure all required components are included and visits your site to make sure your environment is set up and ready for the visit from your licensor. This consultation is required and helps to ensure success in the licensing process.

The Parenting Place provides Pre-Licensing consultation in La Crosse, Monroe, Juneau, Vernon, Crawford and Richland Counties. Contact us to learn more or begin the process!

What is Licensed Family Child Care?

A licensed family provider can care for a maximum of 4 to 8 children, depending on the children’s ages. This care is usually offered inside the child care provider’s home. Children of all ages can be cared for in the same space.

For step-by-step information on the licensing process, please see the information at the link below.

Procedure to Obtaining an Initial License to Operate a Family Child Care Center, DCF-P-PFS4066 (wisconsin.gov)

Ready to start the process? Contact us with any questions or fill out the Start-up worksheet below:

Family Child Care Business Start-up Worksheet

Once the worksheet is completed, we will be in contact very soon to help you on your way!

What is Licensed Group Child Care?

Group child care programs care for 9 or more children. Their maximum size is determined by the space available in the care environment and the number of staff members. This care usually takes place in a commercial building specifically used for child care. Children typically stay in one classroom with the same classmates and teachers and transition to new developmentally appropriate classrooms as they grow older. At all times, staff must maintain staff-to-child ratios and maximum group sizes based on the age of the children.

For step-by-step information on the licensing process, please see the information at the link below.

Procedure for Obtaining an Initial License to Operate a Group Child Care Center, DCF-P-PFS3066 (wisconsin.gov)

Ready to start the process? Contact us with any questions or fill out the Start-up worksheet below.

Group Child Care Business Start-up Worksheet

Once the worksheet is completed, we will be in contact very soon to help you on your way!

Assisting in determining what career path is right for you
Navigating the application process
Completing the application packet forms
Understanding rules and regulation
Locating pre-service training opportunities
Creating a developmentally appropriate environment
Choosing materials and activities
Implementing sound business practices
Finding resources, professional development opportunities, or ongoing technical assistance following the links below:

ECE Licensing

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