Chapter DCF 252

DCF 252.41(2)(g) (g) Any suspected abuse or neglect of a child by a staff member that was reported under s. DCF 252.07 (3) (a), including any incident that results in a child being forcefully shaken or thrown against a surface, hard or soft, by a staff member during the child’s hours of attendance, within 24 hours after the occurrence.

DCF 252.41(2)(gm) (gm) Any prohibited actions specified in s. DCF 252.44 (2) (c) by a staff member to a child during the child’s hours of attendance, within 24 hours after the incident.

DCF 252.41(2)(h) (h) Any incident involving law enforcement within 24 hours after the occurrence in which any of the following occurs:

DCF 252.41(2)(h)1. 1. A licensee, a household member or an employee of the camp is involved in an incident that causes, or threatens to cause, physical or serious emotional harm to an individual, including a child in the care of the camp.

DCF 252.41(2)(h)2. 2. A person responsible for transporting children is involved in a traffic-related incident.

DCF 252.41(2)(i) (i) Any change in room usage in the base camp, such as using rooms or areas not previously approved for use by children at least 20 working days prior to the change. Changes in room usage shall be approved by the department prior to the change.

DCF 252.41(2)(j) (j) Any incident related to a child who leaves the premises of the camp without the knowledge of a counselor or any incident which results in a counselor not knowing the whereabouts of a child in attendance at the camp within 24 hours after the occurrence.

DCF 252.41(2)(k) (k) If requested by the department, a plan of correction for cited violations of this chapter or ch. 48, Stats., in a format specified by the department. The department shall receive the plan of correction by the date the department specifies and the plan shall be approved by the department licensing representative.

DCF 252.41 Note Note: The licensing representative will notify the licensee if a plan of correction is required and provide the plan of correction format with the notification.

DCF 252.41(2)(L) (L) Any construction or remodeling on the premises that has the potential to affect an area accessible to children or a condition of the license. Notification shall be in writing before the construction or remodeling begins.

DCF 252.41 Note Note: It is recommended that the licensee check with the local municipality to determine whether a building permit is required before beginning any construction or remodeling.

DCF 252.41 Note Note: Alterations, additions, or changes of use to commercial buildings may require submittal of plans to and approval by the Department of Safety and Professional Services or its agent before commencing construction. It is recommended that an architect or engineer be consulted prior to the beginning of any construction or remodeling to determine whether plans must be submitted.

DCF 252.41(2)(m) (m) Any confirmed case of a communicable disease reportable under ch. DHS 145 in a child enrolled at the day camp or any person in contact with children at the camp, within 24 hours after the camp is notified of the diagnosis. The licensee shall also notify the local health department within 24 hours after the camp is notified of the diagnosis.

DCF 252.41(2)(n) (n) Any change in meal preparation arrangements, at least 5 calendar days prior to the change. Camps adding meal preparation after an initial license has been issued shall document compliance with building codes related to kitchens before beginning to prepare meals.

DCF 252.41(2)(o) (o) Any change in transportation services, at least 5 calendar days prior to the change.

DCF 252.41(2)(p) (p) Expected temporary closures lasting more than 2 weeks, at least 5 calendar days before the closure.

DCF 252.41(2)(q) (q) Unexpected closures lasting more than 2 weeks, within 24 hours after the camp has been closed for a 2-week period.

DCF 252.41(2)(r) (r) Any change in swimming or water activities, boating, firearms and archery, horseback riding, or adventure-based activities, at least 20 working days prior to the change.

DCF 252.41(4) (4) Children’s records files.

DCF 252.41(4)(a) (a) The licensee shall create and maintain at the camp a current written record for each child before the child’s first day of attendance or subsequent re-enrollment. The licensee shall make the record available to the licensing representative. Each child’s file shall include all of the following:

DCF 252.41(4)(a)1. 1. Enrollment information consisting of all of the following:

DCF 252.41(4)(a)1.a. a. The name and birthdate of the child.

DCF 252.41(4)(a)1.b. b. Names and contact information for the child’s parents.

DCF 252.41(4)(a)1.c. c. The child’s home address and telephone number.

DCF 252.41(4)(a)1.d. d. Address and telephone number where a parent can be reached while the child is in care.

DCF 252.41(4)(a)1.e. e. Name, address, telephone number and relationship to the child of the person to be notified in an emergency, when a parent cannot be reach immediately.

DCF 252.41(4)(a)1.f. f. Names, address and telephone number of the physician or medical facility caring for the child.

DCF 252.41(4)(a)1.g. g. Names, addresses and telephone numbers of persons authorized to pick-up the child or to accept the child who is dropped off.

DCF 252.41(4)(a)1.h. h. Dates of camp session in which the child is enrolled.

DCF 252.41(4)(a)2. 2. Consent from the parent for emergency medical care or treatment;

DCF 252.41 Note Note: The licensee may use either the department’s form, Child Care Enrollment, or the licensee’s own form to obtain consent of the child’s parent for emergency medical treatment. Information on how to obtain forms is available from the department’s website, http://dcf.wisconsin.gov, or any regional licensing office in Appendix A.

DCF 252.41(4)(a)4. 4. Authorization from the parent for the child to participate in field trips and other off-premises activities, if these are part of the camp program.

DCF 252.41 Note Note: The licensee may use either the department’s forms Field Trip or Other Activity Permission /Notification — Child Care Centers and Child Care Enrollment or the licensee’s own form for securing parental information. Forms are available on the department’s website at https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/cclicensing/ccformspubs.

DCF 252.41(4)(a)5. 5. Specific written informed consent from the parent for each incident of participation by a child in any research or testing project. The day camp shall obtain and make available to the department and to the parent a statement indicating the sponsor, the subject matter, the specific purpose and the proposed use of results with respect to each project.

DCF 252.41 Note Note: The licensee may use either the department’s form, Informed Consent for Observation or Testing by an Outside Agency — Child Care Centers, or the licensee’s own form for securing the parent’s written consent. Information on how to obtain forms is available from the department’s website, http://dcf.wisconsin.gov, or any regional licensing office in Appendix A.

DCF 252.41(4)(a)6. 6. Health history information that includes all the following:

DCF 252.41(4)(a)6.a. a. The name and birthdate of the child.

DCF 252.41(4)(a)6.b. b. The full names of the child’s parents.

DCF 252.41(4)(a)6.c. c. A telephone number where the parent can be reached while the child is in care.

DCF 252.41(4)(a)6.d. d. The name, address, and telephone number of the physician or medical facility caring for the child.

DCF 252.41(4)(a)6.e. e. The child’s medical conditions, such as asthma, cerebral palsy, diabetes, epilepsy, food allergies, or gastrointestinal or feeding concerns. If the child has a milk allergy, a statement from a medical professional indicating an acceptable alternative.

DCF 252.41(4)(a)6.f. f. If the child has a medical condition, triggers that may cause a problem, signs or symptoms for the counselor to watch for, steps a counselor should follow, when to call a parent regarding symptoms, when the condition requires emergency medical care, and identification of all counselors who have received specialized training or instructions to help treat symptoms.

DCF 252.41 Note Note: The licensee may use the department’s form DCF-F-CFS2345, Health History and Emergency Care Plan, or the licensee’s own form for obtaining the information.

DCF 252.41(4)(a)6m. 6m. Documentation of each child’s immunization history that indicates compliance with s. 252.04, Stats., and ch. DHS 144.

DCF 252.41(4)(a)7. 7. Authorization from the parent outlining the plan for a child to come to the camp from school, home or other activities and to go from the camp to school, home or other activities unless the child is accompanied by a parent or other authorized pick-up person.

DCF 252.41 Note Note: The licensee may use either the department’s form, Alternate Arrival/Release Agreement — Child Care Centers, or the licensee’s own form for securing the parent’s signed agreement. Information on how to obtain forms is available from the department’s website, http://dcf.wisconsin.gov, or any regional licensing office in Appendix A.

DCF 252.41(4)(a)8. 8. Assessment of the child’s swimming ability, if swimming is included in the program of activities.

DCF 252.41 Note Note: Either parents or the camp may assess the child’s swimming ability.

DCF 252.41(4)(c) (c) The licensee shall maintain a current, accurate, written record of the daily attendance and birthdate for each child enrolled in the program. If the hours of arrival and departure of the children vary, the actual time of arrival and departure for each child shall be recorded. Each record shall be maintained as long as the child is enrolled in the program.

DCF 252.41 Note Note: The department form, Daily Attendance Record — Child Care, may be used to document a child’s daily attendance. Information on how to obtain the department’s form is available from the department’s website, http://dcf.wisconsin.gov, or any regional licensing office in Appendix A.

DCF 252.41(5) (5) Parents.

DCF 252.41(5)(a) (a) The camp director shall notify the parents of a child in care immediately and shall provide sufficient detail to apprise the parent if any of the following occurs:

DCF 252.41(5)(a)1. 1. The child becomes ill.

DCF 252.41(5)(a)2. 2. The child needs professional evaluation of an injury.

DCF 252.41(5)(a)3. 3. The child experiences a head injury, has a seizure, consumes incorrect breastmilk, consumes food or drink that may contain the child’s allergen, consumes or comes in contact with poisonous materials, or is given incorrect medication. For purposes of this subdivision, a “head injury” means a bump, blow, or jolt to the head.

DCF 252.41(5)(a)4. 4. The child’s whereabouts are unknown.

DCF 252.41(5)(a)5. 5. The child was subject to child guidance that is prohibited under s. DCF 252.44 (2) (c) and (d).

DCF 252.41(5)(b) (b) If a child in care has been exposed to a confirmed case of a communicable disease reportable under ch. DHS 145 and transmitted through normal contact, the camp director shall notify the child’s parents when the information becomes known to the camp.

DCF 252.41(5)(c) (c) If a child in care has sustained a minor injury that does not appear to require professional medical evaluation, the camp director shall notify the child’s parents when the child is picked up at the camp or delivered to the parent or other authorized person.

DCF 252.41(5)(d) (d) The camp shall notify the parents of any religious training that is part of the camp program. The reference to the religious component shall be included in any publicity and program objectives and activities.

DCF 252.41(5)(e) (e) A copy of this chapter shall be posted or made available in an area of the camp where parents are likely to see it.

DCF 252.41(5)(f) (f) A copy of the child care policies of the camp shall be made available to the parents in an area of the camp accessible to parents. Personnel policies do not need to be available to parents.

DCF 252.41 History History: Cr. Register, October, 1984, No. 346, eff. 11-1-84; correction in (3) (a) 1. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2008 No. 635; CR 07-102: am. (1) (intro.), (b) to (d), (e) 1. to 3., (f) (intro.), (g) 2., (i), (2) (intro.), (b), (d), (3) (a) (intro.), 1., 2., (4) (title), (a) (intro.), 1. a. to h. and 6., r. and recr. (1) (a), (f) 1. to 3., (g) (intro.), 1., 3. to 6., (2) (a), (4) (a) 7. and (b), cr. (1) (e) 4., (f) 3. a. to d., (g) 7. to 9., (k) to (p), (2) (f) to (L), (3) (a) 3. to 6., (c), (4) (a) 8., (c) and (5), r. (2) (c) Register December 2008 No. 636, eff. 1-1-09; corrections in (1) (c), (e) 4., (2) (g), (3) (a) 4. and (5) (a) 1. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2008 No. 636; correction in (3) (a) 4. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register September 2016 No. 729; EmR1918: emerg. cr. (1) (bm), (br), am. (1) (f) (intro.), cr. (1) (f) 4. to 12., r. (1) (g), (h), (j), r. and recr. (1) (L), (n) to (p), am. (2) (intro.), (a), cr. (2) (am), (ar), am. (2) (b), (g), cr. (2) (gm), (m) to (o), r. (3), am. (4) (a) (intro.), 1. (intro.), r. (4) (a) 3., am. (4) (a) 4., 5., cr. (4) (a) 6m., r. (4) (b), r. and recr. (5), eff. 1-30-19; CR 19-089: cr. (1) (bm), (br), am. (1) (f) (intro.), cr. (1) (f) 4. to 12., r. (1) (g), (h), (j), r. and recr. (1) (L), (n) to (p), am. (2) (intro.), (a), cr. (2) (am), (ar), am. (2) (b), (g), cr. (2) (gm), (m) to (o), r. (3), am. (4) (a) (intro.), 1. (intro.), r. (4) (a) 3., am. (4) (a) 4., 5., cr. (4) (a) 6m., r. (4) (b), r. and recr. (5) Register March 2020 No. 771, eff. 4-1-20; CR 21-100: r. and recr. (1) (e) 3., am. (2) (f), cr. (2) (p) to (r), r. and recr. (4) (a) 6., am. (5) (a) (intro.), 4., cr. (5) (a) 5. Register February 2023 No. 806, eff. 3-1-23.

DCF 252.42 DCF 252.42 Personnel.

DCF 252.42(1) (1) Staff records.

DCF 252.42(1)(a) (a) The licensee shall maintain a file on each employee and contracted employee that shall be available for examination by the licensing representative. Each employee’s file shall include all of the following:

DCF 252.42(1)(a)1. 1. The employee’s name, address, date of birth, education, position, previous 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 252.42 Note Note: The licensee may use the department’s form, Staff Record - Child Care Centers, or the licensee’s own form for recording staff information. The form is available on the department’s website at https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/cclicensing/ccformspubs.

DCF 252.42(1)(a)2. 2. Documentation of any pertinent certification or training required for the position, including department-approved training in abusive head trauma, and appropriate ways to manage crying, fussing, or distraught children prior to beginning to work with children in care, if the person will provide care to children under 5 years of age.

DCF 252.42(1)(a)3. 3. 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 252.42 Note Note: Information on child care background checks is available on the department’s website, https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/ccbgcheck.

DCF 252.42(1)(a)4. 4. Documentation of successful completion of pre-camp training.

DCF 252.42 Note Note: The licensee may use the department’s form, Pre-camp Training Documentation - Day Camps, or the licensee’s own form to document the successful completion of pre-camp training. The form is available on the department’s website at https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/cclicensing/ccformspubs.

DCF 252.42(1)(a)5. 5. Documentation of the days and hours worked when the person was included in the counselor-to-child ratio.

DCF 252.42(1)(a)6. 6. Documentation of a high school diploma or its equivalent as determined by the Wisconsin department of public instruction.

DCF 252.42(1)(b) (b) The licensee shall maintain a listing at the base camp of the name, address, and telephone number of the person to be notified in the event of an emergency involving an employee.

DCF 252.42(1)(c) (c) The licensee shall maintain a staff record that meets the requirements specified in par. (a) 1. to 6. for each student teacher or person who works at the camp and is compensated from sources other than the camp.

DCF 252.42(2) (2) Camp staff.

DCF 252.42(2)(a) (a) Camp staff members, including the camp director, counselors, and volunteers, shall be physically, mentally, and emotionally able to provide responsible care for all children, including children with disabilities.

DCF 252.42(2)(b) (b)

DCF 252.42(2)(b)1. 1. Each day camp shall have a person designated as camp director. The camp director shall be responsible for the administration of the camp, including program operations, staff supervision, business operations, food service, health service, and other supportive services.

DCF 252.42(2)(b)2. 2. A camp director shall be at least 21 years of age and shall have at least one of the following:

DCF 252.42(2)(b)2.a. a. The Wisconsin Afterschool and Youth Development Credential.

DCF 252.42(2)(b)2.b. b. A bachelor’s degree in outdoor education, recreation, coaching, juvenile justice, social work, psychology, child development, or education, or another camp-related field.

DCF 252.42(2)(b)2.c. c. Two or more years of supervisory or administrative experience in an organized camp or children’s program.

DCF 252.42(2)(d) (d) Counselors who are counted in determining the counselor-to-child ratio shall be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or the equivalent, as determined by the department of public instruction.

DCF 252.42(2)(e) (e) In the absence of a regular staff member, there shall be a similarly qualified staff member or substitute to replace the absent staff member.

DCF 252.42(3) (3) Staff training.

DCF 252.42(3)(a) (a) Each day camp shall develop a written pre-camp training plan. A copy of the plan shall be submitted to the department and implemented. The plan shall include all of the following: