DCF 251.04 History
History: Cr.
Register, January, 1997, No. 493, eff. 8-1-97;
CR 03-052: am. (2) (c), (f), (g), (i) and (m), (3) (a), (f) and (g), (5) (a), (6) (a) and 6., (7) (intro), (8) (a), (b) (intro), and 3., cr. (3) (h) to (L), (6) (a) 6m., r. and recr. (5) (a) 2. and 3.
Register December 2004 No. 588, eff. 3-1-05; corrections in (2) (d), (3) (j), (4) (a) 1., (5) (a) 2. to 5. made under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register November 2008 No. 635;
CR 07-102: am. (1) (a), (2) (f), (h) 2., (i) 5., 6., (k), (L), (3) (intro.), (a), (c), (g), (j), (6) (a) 5. and (b), cr. (2) (h) 2. a., b., c., d., (i) 9., (n), (o), (p), (3) (m), (n), (5) (a) 6., 7., 8. and (6) (a) 8., r. and recr. (5) (a) 5.
Register December 2008 No. 636, eff. 1-1-09; corrections in (3) (m), (5) (a) 6. and (6) (a) 8. made under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register December 2008 No. 636;
2015 Wis. Act 132: am. (5) (a) 4.
Register February 2016 No. 722, eff. 3-1-16; correction in (5) (a) 2., 3. made under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register September 2016 No. 729;
EmR1918: emerg. am. (2) (d), cr. (2) (bm), r. and recr. (2) (g), am. (2) (h) (intro.), cr. (2) (h) 4. to 12., r. (2) (i), r. and recr. (2) (L), (n), (o), am. (3) (a), cr. (3) (am), (ar), am. (3) (b), (j), cr. (3) (jm), am. (3) (m), (n), cr. (3) (o), r. and recr. (4) (a) 1. to 4., am. (4) (d), r. (5), (6) (a) 1. i., 3., am. (6) (a) 4., 6m., r. and recr. (6) (a) 8., (c), am. (8) (title), eff. 1-30-19;
CR 19-089: am. (2) (d), cr. (2) (bm), r. and recr. (2) (g), am. (2) (h) (intro.), cr. (2) (h) 4. to 12., r. (2) (i), r. and recr. (2) (L), (n), (o), am. (3) (a), cr. (3) (am), (ar), am. (3) (b), (j), cr. (3) (jm), am. (3) (m), (n), cr. (3) (o), r. and recr. (4) (a) 1. to 4., am. (4) (d), r. (5), (6) (a) 1. i., 3., am. (6) (a) 4., 6m., r. and recr. (6) (a) 8., (c), am. (8) (title),
Register March 2020 No. 771, eff. 4-1-20; correction in (2) (g) 1. (intro.), (n) 4., (3) (b), (j) made under s.
35.17, Stats., and correction in (4) (a) 2. c. made under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register March 2020 No. 771;
CR 20-003: am. (6) (a) 8. d.
Register July 2020 No. 775, eff. 8-1-20;
CR 21-100: am. (1) (a), (3) (d), cr. (3) (dm), am. (3) (g), (4) (a) 2. (intro.), cr. (4) (a) 2. d., e., am. (4) (c), r. and recr. (6) (a) 6., renum. (8) (a) to (8), r. (8) (b)
Register February 2023 No. 806, eff. 3-1-23.
DCF 251.05(1)(1)
Definition. In this section, “the Registry” means a brand of The Registry, Inc., a professional development recognition agency.
DCF 251.05(2)(a)(a) The licensee shall maintain a file on each employee or contracted employee. The file shall be available for examination by the licensing representative at the center and shall include all of the following:
DCF 251.05(2)(a)1.
1. The employee's name, address, date of birth, education, position, previous work experience in child care, including the reason for leaving previous positions, and the name, address, and telephone numbers of persons to be notified in an emergency.
DCF 251.05(2)(a)2.
2. Documentation from the department, either paper or electronic, that indicates a child care background check was completed in compliance with the timelines and requirements specified in s.
48.686, Stats., and ch.
DCF 13 and the person is eligible to work in a child care program.
DCF 251.05(2)(a)3.a.a. A report on a physical examination that was completed not more than 12 months prior to nor more than 30 days after the person was hired. The physical examination report may be a printout of an electronic record from a medical professional or on a form provided by the department. The report shall be signed and dated by a licensed physician, physician's assistant, or other EPSDT provider. The report shall indicate that the person is free from illnesses detrimental to children, including tuberculosis, and that the person is physically able to work with young children.
DCF 251.05(2)(a)3.b.
b. The health examination requirement in subd.
3. a. does not apply to a provider who requests an exemption based on the provider's adherence to religious belief in exclusive use of prayer or spiritual means for healing in accordance with a bona fide religious sect or denomination.
DCF 251.05(2)(a)4.a.a. A certificate from the Wisconsin Registry documenting that the person has met the educational qualifications for the position under sub.
(3) if the person has worked as a teacher, director, or administrator at the center for at least 6 months. A copy of an educator's license issued by the department of public instruction as a teacher may substitute for a certificate from the Wisconsin Registry.
DCF 251.05(2)(a)4.b.
b. For school-age administrators, school-age directors, and school-age program leaders who have been in the position for 6 months or more, a certificate from the Wisconsin Registry.
DCF 251.05(2)(a)4.d.
d. For persons not required to have a certificate from the Wisconsin Registry, including assistant child care teachers,
program aides, school-age group leaders, school-age program aides, meal preparation personnel, substitutes, volunteers, and student teachers and a child care teacher, center director, administrator, school-age administrator, school-age director, or school-age program leader
who has not worked for the center for more than 6 months, documentation of the person's educational qualifications.
DCF 251.05 Note
Note: Information about how to obtain a certificate may be obtained from the Wisconsin Registry's website,
https://www.wiregistry.org or by calling 608-222-1123.
DCF 251.05(2)(a)5.
5. For persons required to have a high school diploma or its equivalent, documentation of a high school diploma or its equivalent as determined by the Wisconsin department of public instruction.
DCF 251.05(2)(a)6.
6. Documentation of days and hours worked, and in which classroom, when the person was included in the staff-to-child ratio shall be maintained by the center.
DCF 251.05(2)(b)
(b) A licensee shall maintain a file on each student teacher and each adult who works at the center and is compensated for their work from a source other than the center. The file shall contain the information specified in par.
(a) 1.,
2., and
3. DCF 251.05(3)(a)(a)
Competency. A child care worker, center administrator, center director, and volunteers counted in staff-to-child ratio shall be physically, mentally, and emotionally able to provide responsible care for all children, including children with disabilities.
DCF 251.05(3)(b)
(b)
Training on preventing abusive head trauma. Each child care worker, center administrator, center director, volunteer counted in staff-to-child ratio, or substitute who provides care and supervision to children under 5 years of age shall document completion of department-approved training in abusive head trauma, and appropriate ways to manage crying, fussing, or distraught children prior to beginning to work with children under 5 years of age.
DCF 251.05 Note
Note: Department-approved training in the prevention of abusive head trauma is included in the department-approved non-credit courses called Introduction to the Child Care Profession and Fundamentals of Infant and Toddler or the credit-based course called Health, Safety and Nutrition offered by a Wisconsin technical college, if the course was taken after July 1, 2005.
DCF 251.05(3)(c)
(c)
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation training. All employees in regular contact with children shall obtain, maintain and place in the employee's file a current certificate of completion for infant and child cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator use from an agency approved by the department within 3 months after beginning to work with children in care. Volunteers included in determining staff-to-child ratios shall obtain a certificate of completion in infant and child cardiopulmonary resuscitation after volunteering for 240 cumulative hours. The time spent obtaining or renewing cardiopulmonary resuscitation training may be counted towards the required continuing education hours.
DCF 251.05(3)(cm)
(cm)
Training on child abuse and neglect reporting requirements.
Within one week after beginning work at the center and at least every 2 years thereafter
, each employee or volunteer who comes in contact with children in care shall complete training in all of the following:
DCF 251.05(3)(cm)3.
3. The procedure for ensuring that all known or suspected cases of child abuse or neglect are immediately reported to the proper authorities.
DCF 251.05(3)(d)1.1. The licensee may act as administrator of a group child care center. If the licensee does not act as administrator, the licensee shall designate a person or persons to be the administrator or administrators of the center. The administrator shall be responsible for the center's management, including personnel, finance, physical plant, and the day-to-day operation of the center.
DCF 251.05(3)(d)2.
2. An administrator, including a licensee that is an administrator, shall meet all of the following conditions:
DCF 251.05(3)(d)2.b.
b. Have completed high school or its equivalent, as determined by the Wisconsin department of public instruction.
DCF 251.05(3)(d)3.
3. Before a person assumes the position of administrator, the person shall have all of the following:
DCF 251.05(3)(d)3.a.
a. One year of experience as a manager or satisfactory completion of a noncredit department-approved course or of 2 credits in business or program administration.
DCF 251.05(3)(d)3.b.
b. One year of experience as a center director, as a child care teacher in a group child care center or kindergarten, or as a licensee of a family child care center under ch.
DCF 250; or satisfactory completion of a non-credit department-approved course or of 2 credits in early childhood education or its equivalent.
DCF 251.05(3)(d)4.
4. If the board of a parent cooperative is responsible for management of a center, the requirements under subds.
2. and
3. do not apply.
DCF 251.05(3)(d)5.
5. Within one year of assuming the position, each administrator shall complete at least 10 hours of training in supervision or personnel management, if the administrator has not previously received that training. The training may be counted as part of the annual continuing education requirement.
DCF 251.05(3)(e)1.a.a. A licensee with the applicable qualifications in this paragraph may act as the center director.
DCF 251.05(3)(e)1.b.
b. If the licensee does not act as center director, the licensee shall designate a person or persons to be the center director.
DCF 251.05(3)(e)1.c.
c. No person may act as the center director for more than 2 full-day or 4 part-day centers.
DCF 251.05(3)(e)2.
2. The center director shall be responsible for the supervision of the planning and implementation of the center's program for children, the supervision of staff at the center, staff meetings and orientation, and continuing education for staff.
DCF 251.05(3)(e)3.
3. A center director for a program licensed to serve 50 or fewer children shall meet all of the following conditions:
DCF 251.05(3)(e)3.b.
b. Have completed high school or its equivalent as determined by the Wisconsin department of public instruction.
DCF 251.05(3)(e)3.c.
c. Have at least 240 hours of experience as a teacher or assistant teacher in a group child care center or other approved setting or have at least 240 hours of experience as a licensee or provider of a family child care center under ch.
DCF 250.
DCF 251.05(3)(e)3.d.
d. Have completed at least one of the preservice training requirements in Table 251.05A prior to beginning work as a center director, except as specified in subd.
5. a. The center director shall also complete any additional training requirements in Table 251.05A as provided.
DCF 251.05(3)(e)4.
4. A center director for a program licensed to serve 51 or more children shall meet all of the following conditions:
DCF 251.05(3)(e)4.b.
b. Have completed high school or its equivalent, as determined by the Wisconsin department of public instruction.
DCF 251.05(3)(e)4.c.
c. 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.
DCF 251.05(3)(e)4.d.
d. Have completed one of the preservice training requirements in Table 251.05B prior to beginning work as a center director, except as specified in subd.
5. b. The center director shall also complete any additional training requirements in Table 251.05B as provided.
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See PDF for table 
DCF 251.05(3)(e)5.a.a. Notwithstanding subd.
3. d., a person is not required to complete preservice training under Table 251.05A if the person was employed as the director of a center licensed to serve 50 or fewer children prior to September 30, 2019, and met the preservice training requirement with a certificate from the Wisconsin Registry indicating the person was on Registry Level 12 or above.
DCF 251.05(3)(e)5.b.
b. Notwithstanding subd.
4. d., a person is not required to complete preservice training specified in Table 251.05B if the person was employed as the director of a center licensed to serve 51 or more children prior to September 30, 2019, and met the preservice training requirement with a certificate from the Wisconsin Registry indicating the person was on Registry Level 14 or above.
DCF 251.05(3)(f)1.1. A child care teacher shall plan, implement, and supervise the daily activities for a group of children.
DCF 251.05(3)(f)2.
2. A person who is a child care teacher shall meet all of the following conditions:
DCF 251.05(3)(f)2.b.
b. Have completed high school or its equivalent, as determined by the Wisconsin department of public instruction.
DCF 251.05(3)(f)2.c.
c. Have at least 240 hours of experience as an assistant child care teacher in a group child care center, as a licensed family child care provider, or in another approved early childhood setting.
DCF 251.05(3)(f)3.
3. Prior to assuming the position, a person hired to be a child care teacher shall complete or obtain one of the following:
DCF 251.05 Note
Note: The non-credit courses approved by the department to meet the entry level training requirements for a child care teacher are Introduction to the Child Care Profession and Skills and Strategies for the Child Care Teacher or the assistant child care teacher or child care teacher training programs approved by the Wisconsin department of public instruction.
DCF 251.05(3)(f)3.bm.
bm. Two credits in early childhood education and one noncredit department-approved course in early childhood education.
DCF 251.05(3)(f)3.c.
c. A certificate from the Wisconsin Registry indicating that the person is qualified as a child care teacher.
DCF 251.05(3)(f)3.f.
f. Forty-eight credits from an institution of higher education with at least 3 credits in early childhood education or its equivalent.
DCF 251.05(3)(f)3.g.
g. A one-year child care diploma in child care or early childhood education from an institution of higher education.
DCF 251.05(3)(f)3.h.
h. An associate degree in early childhood education or child care from an institution of higher education.
DCF 251.05(3)(f)3.i.
i. A Child Development Associate credential issued by the Council for Professional Recognition.
DCF 251.05(3)(f)3.j.
j. Certificate from American Montessori Society, Association Montessori International, or Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education.
DCF 251.05(3)(f)3.k.
k. A license issued by the Wisconsin department of public instruction or the appropriate authority in another state to be a pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, or early childhood regular or special education teacher. The license may not be a one-year license with stipulations (formerly known as an emergency license); a 3-year, short-term substitute license; or a 5-year long-term substitute license, as defined by the Wisconsin department of public instruction.
DCF 251.05 Note
Note: Information on how to obtain or renew a Wisconsin department of public instruction teacher license is available on the DPI website,
http://dpi.wi.gov/tepdl.
DCF 251.05(3)(f)3.L.
L. A certificate from the department of workforce development, bureau of apprenticeship standards, as a child development specialist.
DCF 251.05(3)(g)1.1. An assistant child care teacher shall work under the supervision of a child care teacher with a group of children.
DCF 251.05(3)(g)2.
2. Except as provided under subd.
3., a person hired to be assistant child care teacher shall be qualified in one of the following ways:
DCF 251.05(3)(g)2.a.
a. Be at least 18 years old and have satisfactorily completed 2 credits in early childhood education or its equivalent within 6 months after assuming the position.
