Chapter DCF 250

DCF 250.11(3)(e) (e) If the department determines that the applicant is eligible for a license, the department shall issue a probationary license having a 6 month duration. A probationary license may be renewed for one 6-month period.

DCF 250.11(3)(f) (f) If the department determines that an application does not comply with the applicable requirements of this chapter or the department’s investigation determines that the applicant is not eligible for a license, the department may deny the application.

DCF 250.11(4) (4) Obtaining a regular license.

DCF 250.11(4)(a) (a) At least 30 days before the expiration date of a probationary license, an applicant for license renewal shall submit to the department the following materials:

DCF 250.11(4)(a)1. 1. A completed license application.

DCF 250.11(4)(a)3. 3. The license renewal fee under s. 48.65 (3) (a), Stats., applicable fees for child care background checks under s. 48.686, Stats., any unpaid forfeiture under s. 48.715 (3) (a) or 49.155 (7m) (a) 3., Stats., and any unpaid penalty under s. 48.76, Stats.

DCF 250.11(4)(a)4. 4. Any changes to center policies, if not previously submitted.

DCF 250.11(4)(a)5. 5. Results of a water test if the center has a private well.

DCF 250.11(4)(a)6. 6. Results of a vehicle safety inspection if the center will transport children.

DCF 250.11(4)(a)6m. 6m. Documentation of liability insurance on a vehicle used to transport children as required under s. DCF 250.08 (5) (c).

DCF 250.11(4)(a)7. 7. Documentation of liability insurance on the child care business required under s. DCF 250.04 (2) (g) if the center has cats or dogs that are in areas accessible to children.

DCF 250.11(4)(a)8. 8. Any other materials determined by the department as necessary to complete the department’s licensing investigation.

DCF 250.11(4)(b) (b) If the department determines that the applicant has met the minimum requirements for a license under this chapter and if the applicant has paid the applicable fees under ss. 48.65 and 48.686, Stats., any unpaid forfeiture under s. 48.715 (3) (a) or 49.155 (7m) (a) 3., Stats., and any unpaid penalty under s. 48.76, Stats., the department shall issue the applicant a regular license.

DCF 250.11(5) (5) Continuing a regular license.

DCF 250.11(5)(a) (a) A regular license shall be valid indefinitely, unless suspended or revoked by the department or surrendered by the licensee. The department shall review a regular license every 2 years after the date of issuance.

DCF 250.11(5)(b) (b) At least 30 days before the continuation review date of the license, an applicant for license renewal shall submit to the department the following materials:

DCF 250.11(5)(b)1. 1. A completed license continuation application.

DCF 250.11(5)(b)3. 3. The license renewal fee under s. 48.65 (3) (a), Stats., applicable fees for child care background checks under s. 48.686, Stats., any unpaid forfeitures under s. 48.715 (3) or 49.155 (7m) (a) 3., Stats., and any unpaid penalties under s. 48.76, Stats.

DCF 250.11(5)(b)4. 4. Any changes to center policies, if not previously submitted.

DCF 250.11(5)(b)5. 5. Results of a water test if the center has a private well.

DCF 250.11(5)(b)6. 6. Results of a vehicle safety inspection if the center will transport children.

DCF 250.11(5)(b)6m. 6m. Documentation of liability insurance on a vehicle used to transport children required under s. DCF 250.08 (5) (c).

DCF 250.11(5)(b)7. 7. Documentation of the liability insurance on the child care business required under s. DCF 250.04 (2) (g) if the center has cats or dogs that are in areas accessible to children.

DCF 250.11(5)(b)8. 8. Any other materials determined by the department as necessary to complete the department’s licensing investigation.

DCF 250.11(5)(c) (c) If the department determines that the licensee has met the minimum requirements for a license under this chapter and if the applicant has paid the applicable fees under ss. 48.65 and 48.686, Stats., any unpaid forfeiture under s. 48.715 (3) (a) or 49.155 (7m) (a) 3., Stats., and any unpaid penalty under s. 48.76, Stats., the department shall issue the applicant a regular license. Regular licenses shall be reviewed and continued for a 2-year period.

DCF 250.11(6) (6) Amending a license.

DCF 250.11(6)(a) (a) A licensee shall submit to the department a written request for an amendment to the license if the licensee wishes to change any of the following aspects of the license:

DCF 250.11(6)(a)1. 1. A change in the number of children served.

DCF 250.11(6)(a)2. 2. The age range of the children.

DCF 250.11(6)(a)3. 3. The hours of the center’s operation.

DCF 250.11(6)(a)4. 4. The days of the week the center is in operation.

DCF 250.11(6)(a)5. 5. The months of the year the center is in operation.

DCF 250.11(6)(a)6. 6. The name of the center.

DCF 250.11(6)(b) (b) A licensee may not make a change that affects a condition of the license identified under par. (a) without the prior written approval of the department.

DCF 250.11(6)(c) (c) A licensee may not move the center to a new location or change ownership of the center without notifying the department at least 30 days prior to the change. A new application and license is required when a center moves or changes ownership.

DCF 250.11 Note Note: The department’s form CFS-0067, Initial License Application – Family Child Care Centers, is used to apply for a new license. The department will provide an application prior to the continuation date for a new license.

DCF 250.11(7) (7) Additional license. A licensee applying for a license for an additional center location shall demonstrate compliance with this chapter in the operation of any existing center he or she operates and compliance with rules for any other facility licensed by the department and operated by the licensee. The licensee shall pay any fines, forfeitures or other fees due and owing under s. 48.715, Stats., or s. 48.65, Stats., on other facilities licensed by the department before the department issues an additional license.

DCF 250.11(8) (8) License denial or revocation.

DCF 250.11(8)(a) (a) The department may deny, revoke or suspend a license, initiate other enforcement actions specified in this chapter or in ch. 48, Stats., or place conditions on the license if the applicant or licensee, a proposed or current employee, a volunteer, a household member or any other person having regular contact with the children is, has or has been any of the following:

DCF 250.11(8)(a)1. 1. The subject of a pending criminal charge for an action that substantially relates to the care of children or activities of the center.

DCF 250.11(8)(a)2. 2. Convicted of a felony, misdemeanor or other offense that substantially relates to the care of children or activities of the center.

DCF 250.11(8)(a)3. 3. Determined to have abused or neglected a child pursuant to s. 48.981, Stats., or has been determined to have committed an offense which substantially relates to the care of children or the activities of the center.

DCF 250.11(8)(a)4. 4. The subject of a substantiated finding of misconduct in the department’s nurse aide registry under s. DHS 129.10.

DCF 250.11(8)(a)5. 5. The subject of a court finding that the person has abandoned his or her child, has inflicted sexual or physical abuse on a child or has neglected or refused, for reasons other than poverty, to provide necessary care, food, clothing, medical or dental care or shelter for his or her child or ward or a child in his or her care so as to seriously endanger the physical health of the child.

DCF 250.11(8)(a)6. 6. Had a child care license or certification revoked or denied within the last 5 years.

DCF 250.11(8)(a)7. 7. Violated any provision of this chapter or ch. 48, Stats., or fails to meet the minimum requirements of this chapter.

DCF 250.11(8)(a)8. 8. Made false statements or withheld information.

DCF 250.11(8)(b) (b) The department may deny, revoke, refuse to renew or suspend a license, initiate other enforcement actions specified in this chapter or in ch. 48, Stats., or place conditions on the license if the applicant or licensee is not fit and qualified as determined under sub. (2).

DCF 250.11 Note Note: See s. DCF 250.03 (11) for the definition of “fit and qualified.” Examples of charges, actions or offenses the Department will consider when making a determination under this paragraph that an act substantially relates to the care of children include but are not limited to the following: abuse or neglect of a child; sexual assault; abuse of a resident of a facility; a crime against life and bodily security; kidnapping; abduction; arson of a building or of property other than a building; robbery; receiving stolen property from a child; a crime against sexual morality, such as enticing a minor for immoral purposes or exposing a minor to harmful materials; and interfering with the custody of a child. This list is illustrative. Other types of offenses may be considered.

DCF 250.11(8)(c) (c) The department shall deny or refuse to continue or revoke a license if the applicant or licensee has failed to pay court-ordered payments of child or family support, maintenance, birth expenses, medical expenses or other expenses related to the support of a child or former spouse or for the failure of the applicant or licensee to comply, after appropriate notices, with a subpoena or warrant issued by the department or a county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5), Stats., and related to paternity or child support proceedings, as provided in a memorandum of understanding entered into under s. 49.857, Stats. Notwithstanding s. 48.72, Stats., an action taken under this subsection is subject to review only as provided in the memorandum of understanding entered into under s. 49.857, Stats., and not as provided in s. 48.72, Stats.

DCF 250.11(8)(d) (d) The department shall deny an application for the issuance or continuation of a license or revoke a license if the department of revenue certifies under s. 73.0301, Stats., that the applicant or licensee is liable for delinquent taxes. An action taken under this subsection is subject to review only as provided under s. 73.0301 (5), Stats., and not as provided in s. 48.72, Stats.

DCF 250.11(9) (9) Effect of notice to deny or revoke a license.

DCF 250.11(9)(a) (a)

DCF 250.11(9)(a)1. 1. If the department decides under sub. (8) to deny the grant of a license or to revoke a license, the department shall notify the applicant or licensee in writing of its decision and the reasons for that decision.

DCF 250.11(9)(a)2. 2. If the department revokes a license, the effective date of the revocation shall be either immediately or 30 days after the date of the department notice in subd. 1., based on the criteria under s. 48.715 (4m) (a) and (b), Stats., unless the decision is appealed under sub. (11).

DCF 250.11(9)(b) (b) Upon receipt of the notice in par. (a) and during any revocation or denial procedures that may result, a family child care center may not accept for care any child not enrolled and in care as of the date of receipt of the notice without the written approval of the department.

DCF 250.11(10) (10) Summary suspension of a license.

DCF 250.11(10)(a) (a) Under the authority of s. 227.51 (3), Stats., the department shall summarily suspend a license and close a family child care center when the department finds that the public health, safety or welfare requires emergency action and incorporates a finding to that effect into its order. A finding of a requirement for summary suspension of the license may be based on any of the following:

DCF 250.11(10)(a)1. 1. Failure of the licensee to provide environmental protections for the children, such as heat, water, electricity or telephone service.

DCF 250.11(10)(a)2. 2. The licensee, an employee, a volunteer or any other person in regular contact with the children in care has been convicted of or has a pending charge for a crime against life or bodily security.

DCF 250.11(10)(a)3. 3. The licensee, an employee, a volunteer or any other person in regular contact with the children in care has been convicted of a felony, misdemeanor or other offense which substantially relates to the care of children or activities of the center or has a pending charge which substantially relates to the care of children or activities of the center.

DCF 250.11(10)(a)4. 4. The licensee, employee, volunteer or any other person in regular contact with the children in care is the subject of a current investigation for alleged child abuse or neglect pursuant to s. 48.981, Stats., or has been determined by a child protective services agency or law enforcement agency to have abused or neglected a child.

DCF 250.11(10)(a)5. 5. The licensee or a person under the supervision of the licensee has committed an action or has created a condition relating to the operation or maintenance of the child care center that directly threatens the health, safety or welfare of any child under the care of the licensee.

DCF 250.11(10)(b) (b) An order summarily suspending a license and closing a family child care center may be a verbal order by a licensing representative of the department. Within 72 hours after the order takes effect, the department shall either permit the reopening of the center or proceed under subs. (8) or (9) to revoke the license. A preliminary hearing shall be conducted by the department of administration’s division of hearings and appeals, within 10 working days after the date of the initial order to close, on the issue of whether the license shall remain suspended during revocation proceedings.

DCF 250.11(11) (11) Appeal of decision to deny or revoke a license. Any person aggrieved by the department’s decision to deny an initial license or the renewal of a license or to revoke a license may request a hearing on that decision under s. 227.42, Stats. The request for a hearing shall be in writing and submitted to the department of administration’s division of hearings and appeals. The request for a hearing shall be sent to the division of hearings and appeals within 10 days after the date of the notice under sub. (9).

DCF 250.11 Note Note: A request for a hearing may be mailed to Division of Hearings and Appeals, P.O. Box 7875, Madison, WI 53707-7875 or faxed to [phone]. A copy of the request should be sent to the appropriate regional licensing office listed in Appendix A.

DCF 250.11 History History: CR 03-052: cr. Register December 2004 No. 588, eff. 3-1-05; corrections in (8) (a) 4. and (c) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6. and 7., Stats., Register November 2008 No. 635; CR 07-102: am. (2) (g), (h), (8) (a) and (11) (a), renum. (3) (c) 5. to be (3) (c) 9., cr. (3) (c) 5., 6., 7., 8., (4) (a) 5., 6., 7., 8., (5) (b) 5., 6., 7. and 8., r. and recr. (4) (a) 2. and (5) (b) 2. Register December 2008 No. 636, eff. 1-1-09; corrections in (3) (c) 7., 8., (4) (a) 2., 7., (5) (b) 2. and 7. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2008 No. 636; EmR1918: emerg. cr. (2) (am), am. (3) (c) 1., 2., cr. (3) (c) 6m., r. (4) (a) 2., am. (4) (a) 3., cr. (4) (a) 6m., am. (4) (b), (5) (a), r. (5) (b) 2., am. (5) (b) 3., cr. (5) (b) 6m., am. (5) (c), cr. (5) (d), am. (9) (b), renum. (11) (a) to (11), r. (11) (b) to (d), eff. 1-30-19; CR 19-089: cr. (2) (am), am. (3) (c) 1., 2., cr. (3) (c) 6m., r. (4) (a) 2., am. (4) (a) 3., cr. (4) (a) 6m., am. (4) (b), (5) (a), r. (5) (b) 2., am. (5) (b) 3., cr. (5) (b) 6m., am. (5) (c), cr. (5) (d), r. (5) (d), am. (9) (b), renum. (11) (a) to (11), r. (11) (b) to (d) Register March 2020 No. 771, eff. 4-1-20, except r. (5) (d), eff. 10-1-21; correction in (5) (a) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register March 2020 No. 771; CR 21-100: cr. (2) (ar), am. (11) Register February 2023 No. 806, eff. 3-1-23.

DCF 250.12 DCF 250.12 Complaints, inspections and enforcement actions.

DCF 250.12(1) (1) Complaints.

DCF 250.12(1)(a) (a) Anyone having a complaint about a licensed or illegally operating family child care center may submit that complaint to the department by telephone, letter or personal interview. A representative of the department shall investigate every complaint. If requested by the complainant, the department shall provide the complainant a written report of the investigation findings.

DCF 250.12 Note Note: A complaint should be sent, phoned or delivered to the appropriate Division of Early Care and Education regional office listed in Appendix A.

DCF 250.12(1)(b) (b) The licensee may not discharge an employee because the employee has reported violations of this chapter to the licensing representative.

DCF 250.12(2) (2) Inspection. Pursuant to s. 48.73, Stats., the department may visit and inspect any family child care center at any time during licensed hours. A department licensing representative shall have unrestricted access to the premises identified in the license, including access to children in care, staff and child records, and any other materials or individuals with information on the family child care center’s compliance with this chapter.

DCF 250.12(3) (3) Enforcement action. The department may order any sanction or impose any penalty on a licensee in accordance with s. 48.686, 48.715, or 48.76, Stats.

DCF 250.12 History History: CR 03-052: cr. Register December 2004 No. 588, eff. 3-1-05; CR 14-028: renum. (2) to (2) (a), cr. (2) (b) Register July 2016 No. 727, eff. 8-1-16; EmR1918: emerg., r. and recr. (2), am. (3), eff. 1-30-19; CR 19-089: r. and recr. (2), am. (3) Register March 2020 No. 771, eff. 4-1-20; (2) (title) created under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 2., Stats., Register March 2020 No. 771.