Child Care Career
Are you interested in starting your own child care business? Here is information to help you choose your career path.
County Certified Child Care Provider
Interested in caring for children in your home? Are you able to provide that care in a safe and nurturing environment? Become certified by the county in which you live.
There are two levels of certification to choose from:
Provisional Certification: (the simplest form of regulation) No formal training is required. An initial site visit is made by the certifying agency (not an employee of our agency) to establish basic health and safety requirements. Other requirements include:
- References
- Criminal records test and background verification form for provider and any family member who is 10 years or older
- Provider TB test
- SIDS reduction training (see calendar for training opportunities)
- Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention (see calendar for training opportunities)
Regular Certification: requires the provider to meet all standards for Provisional Certification, plus:
- 15-20 hours of approved training in child care and development
- May care for no more than 3 children under the age of 7 and three children over the age of 7 years.
State Licensed Child Care Provider
Are you interested in providing child care in your home? Will you provide this care in a safe and nurturing environment? Become a State Licensed child care provider and care for up to 8 children.
Applicant must meet the requirements of Wisconsin Department of Children and Families which include a 40 hour course in early childhood education and if caring for children under the age of 2, must complete an infant/toddler course.
Applicant must submit 2 non-related references and must submit a background verification form for each household member age 10 and older.
Group Centers
Are you interested in a career at a Group Center?
Center Director must be at least 21 years of age, have completed high school or its equivalent, have one year experience as a manager or satisfactory completion of one credit or non-credit department approved course in business or program administration and one year experience as a center director or as a child care teacher in a licensed day care center or department approved course work.
A child care teacher plans, implements and supervises the daily activities for a group of children. The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families minimum education requirements: must complete a minimum of two department approved courses in early childhood education.
An assistant teacher in a group center works with children under the supervision of a child care teacher. Wisconsin Department of Children and Families minimum education requirements are: must complete or be enrolled in 40 hours of approved training in Early Childhood education.
Starting the Business
Providing care to Wisconsin’s children is a valuable service to families and the community. Starting a child care center is like starting any business, there are many things to think about and many steps to take. In an effort to assist those persons interested in starting a child care business, the Department of Children and Families has information for all your start-up questions and concerns.
For more information on careers in child care, call us at 920-432-8899 or 1-800-738 -8899.