Wisconsin childcare licensing requirements.
Ratios, group sizes, certifications, and drills for Wisconsin. Per DCF Licensing Rules for Group Child Care Centers (DCF 251). Bloomily tracks every one of them live, so the paperwork is ready before anyone asks.
Staff-to-child ratios in Wisconsin
| Age group | Ratio | Max group size |
|---|---|---|
| infant_toddler | 1:4 | 8 |
| toddler_2yr | 1:6 | 12 |
| toddler_2_5yr | 1:8 | 16 |
| preschool_3yr | 1:10 | 20 |
| preschool_4yr | 1:13 | 26 |
| School Age (5+ years) | 1:18 | 36 |
Per DCF Licensing Rules for Group Child Care Centers (DCF 251). Ratios in Bloomily are computed live from real check-ins against these limits.
Required certifications
Wisconsin DCF Caregiver Background Check (CBC) including criminal records and child abuse registry per DCF 251.04
Renews every 48 months
Training on recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect
Renews every 60 months
Wisconsin required 15 hours continuing education per year for teachers
Renews every 12 months
Wisconsin DCF Caregiver Background Check system required for all staff
Renews every 48 months
Director qualifications per DCF 251.05 including Registry Level 14+
Pediatric first aid certification required
Renews every 24 months
Initial training within 3 months of employment
California mandated reporter training for child abuse
Infant and child CPR certification required per DCF 251.05
Renews every 24 months
Shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma prevention training required
Renews every 60 months
SIDS prevention and safe sleep training required for infant caregivers per DCF 251.07
Renews every 60 months
Teacher qualifications per DCF 251.05 including Registry certification
Staff must hold a current Wisconsin Registry certificate
Renews every 60 months
Drill requirements
| Drill | Frequency | Required |
|---|---|---|
| fire | monthly | Yes |
| lockdown | annually | Recommended |
| severe_weather | monthly | Yes |
Wisconsin DCF Pre-Inspection Checklist
- Current DCF license posted visibly
- License reflects current capacity and age groups
- License renewal application submitted timely
- Inspection reports available for parent review
- Parent rights information posted
- Caregiver Background Check (CBC) completed for all staff
- Background check rechecks current (every 4 years)
- Wisconsin Registry certificate current for all staff
- Director meets qualification requirements (Registry Level 14+)
- Teachers meet qualification requirements
- Pediatric CPR certification current for all staff
- First aid certification current for all staff
Check us before you commit.
Three things directors ask before they start, answered where you can read them.
Every fee on the page.
Cancel within 60 days of your first charge, and your money comes back automatically.
How the guarantee worksHelp whenever you need it.
AI help is built in, plus full support from our team. Ask a question, and it answers from your own records.
How AI help worksChildren’s data deserves grown-up care.
Encrypted on the way and at rest. Each program’s records are walled off. We never hold card numbers.
Trust and security
Run a Wisconsin program? Keep it compliant without the binder.
$249 a month per location. Free for a home daycare up to 18 children.
Sign up today and set up in an afternoon.