Ch. DCF 252 NoteNote: Sections HSS 55.01 to 55.44 as they existed on October, 1984 were repealed and new sections HSS 55.01 to 55.44 were created effective November 1, 1984. Corrections made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 6. and 7., Stats., Register, January, 1997, No. 493. Chapter HSS 55 was renumbered chapter HFS 55 under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 1., Stats., and corrections made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, February, 1997, No. 494. Chapter HFS 55 was renumbered to chapter DCF 252 under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats., Register November 2008 No. 635.

DCF 252.02(1)(1) Authority. This chapter is promulgated under the authority of s. 48.67, Stats., to establish licensing requirements under s. 48.65, Stats., for day camps for children.

DCF 252.02(2)(2) Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to protect and promote the health, safety and welfare of children being cared for in day camps in Wisconsin.

DCF 252.02(4)(4) Exception to a requirement. The department may grant an exception to a requirement of this chapter when it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the department that granting the exception will not jeopardize the health, safety or welfare of the children served. A request for an exception shall be in writing, shall be sent to the department, and shall include justification for the requested action and an explanation of the alternative provisions planned to meet the intent of the requirement.

DCF 252.02 NoteNote: A request for an exception to a requirement of this chapter should be sent to the appropriate regional office of the Department’s Division of Early Care and Education. See Appendix A for addresses of those regional offices.

DCF 252.02 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1984, No. 346, eff. 11-1-84; correction in (1) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, August, 1989, No. 404; am. (1), Register, January, 1997, No. 493, eff. 2-1-97; correction in (1) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, July, 1999, No. 523; CR 07-102: am. (1), (2) and (4) Register December 2008 No. 636, eff. 1-1-09; EmR1918: emerg. am. (1), eff. 1-30-19; CR 19-089: am. (1) Register March 2020 No. 771, eff. 4-1-20.

DCF 252.03DCF 252.03 Included and excluded care arrangements. This chapter applies to all day camps but it does not apply to family child care centers regulated under ch. DCF 250, group child care centers regulated under ch. DCF 251, or any of the following:

DCF 252.03 NoteNote: Section 48.65, Stats., exempts parents, guardians and certain other relatives; public and parochial (private) schools; persons employed to come to the home of the child’s parent to provide care for less than 24 hours per day; and counties, cities, villages, towns, school districts, and libraries that provide programs for children primarily intended for social or recreational purposes from the requirement for a license.

DCF 252.03(1)(1) Group lessons to develop a talent or skill, such as dance or music lessons, social group meetings and activities, and group athletic activities.

DCF 252.03(1m)(1m) Care and supervision of children in a program, including religious education classes, which operates no more than 4 hours a week.

DCF 252.03(2)(2) Care and supervision while the parents are on the premises and are engaged in shopping, recreation or other non-work activities.

DCF 252.03(3)(3) Seasonal programs of 10 days or less duration in any 3-month period, including day camps, vacation bible school and holiday child care programs.