Daycare License Requirements for Wisconsin
Worker requirements
Must be at least 18 years old and have high school education or equivalent or certificate, credentials, or diploma from a post-secondary early childhood training program approved by the department. Must have 120 days half-time or 80 days full-time experience in direct care; or certification by the Wisconsin department of public instruction as a nursery school teacher or as an exceptional education needs teacher (or be able to show evidence of meeting the qualifications for certification); and 2 years documented credit in an institution of higher education with at least 3 credits equivalent to early childhood education or satisfactory completion of 80 hours of department-approved training in early childhood education, CDA credentials, or satisfactory completion of another department-approved competency program.
Provider / Child Ratio
| Age Range | Ratio For Daycare Centers |
| Infants | (1:4) |
| Toddlers | (1:4) |
| 2 – 2 ½ years | (1:6) |
| 2 ½ – 3 years | (1:8) |
| 3 – 4 years | (1:10) |
| 4 – 5 years | (1:17) |
| 6 years and older | (1:18) |
| Age Range | Ratio For Family Child Care |
| 0 – 7 years | (1:8)[if 3 or 4 children under the age of 2 are in care, the number of other children in care is reduced] |
Division of Children & Family Services
Bureau of Regulation and Licensing
1 West Wilson Street Room 534
P.O. Box 8916
Madison, WI 53708-8916
Phone: 608-266-9314
Fax: 608-267-7252
Web site: http://www.dhfs.state.wi.us/rl_dcfs/index.htm
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