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Educational Qualifications | Continuing Education | Registry Certificate
Caregiver Background Checks

Educational Qualifications

This chart represents the minimum or least restrictive requirement for entry level educational qualifications for various positions in a child care center under HFS 46, Licensing Rules for Group Day Care Centers

Please consult the exact language of the rule. Information in this chart paraphrases language in the rule.

A variety of other options for meeting the educational qualifications for each position in a licensed group day care center may be found by consulting the rule. Additional information is also available in the commentary manual.

Position Title	Min. Age	High School	Experience	Training
Administrator Note: an administrator may meet qualifications by choosing one option in the experience and one in the training column	21	Yes	Must have at least one of the following: 1. One year as a manager Or 2. One credit/non-credit course in business or program administration	Must have at least one of the following: 1 One year as a center director or child care teacher Or 2 One credit/non-credit course in early childhood education.
Center Director 50 or less	21	Yes	80 working days full time in licensed center Or 120 working days half time in a licensed center	2 credit/non-credit courses in early childhood education Or 2 years of credit from institution or higher education with 3 credits in early childhood education.
Center Director 51 or more	21	Yes	2 years as a child care teacher or center director in a licensed group day care center	4 credit/non-credit courses in early childhood education Or 2 years of credit from institution of higher education with 12 credits in early childhood education
Child Care Teacher	18	Yes	80 working days full time or 120 working days half time in a licensed center	2 credit/non-credit courses in early childhood education Or 2 years credit from an institution of higher education with 3 credits in early childhood education.
Assistant Child Care Worker	18	No	None	1 credit/non-credit course in early childhood education
School Age Only Child Care Teacher	18	Yes	80 working days full time or 120 working days half time in a licensed center or elementary school program	2 credit/non credit courses in elementary ed., child guidance, recreation or other department-approved training.
School Age Only Assistant Child Care Worker	18	No	None	10 hour school age training or 1 credit/non-credit class as above.
Assistant Child Care Worker				credit class as above

 

 

Continuing Education

Persons working more than 20 hours a week must have at least 25 hours of continuing education each year.
Persons working 20 hours or less a week must have at least 15 hours of continuing education each year.

Staff persons working with children under 2 years of age must complete 10 hours of training in infant/toddler care within 6 months of beginning to work with children under 2 in addition to meeting basic entry-level requirements for the position held.

Administrators & Center Directors must obtain 10 hours of training in supervision and personnel management within one year of assuming the position if s/he has prior training in these areas.

If you have any questions, please consult with your Regional Licensing Office.

Registry Certificate

Each administrator, center director and child care teacher will need to obtain a certificate from The Registry (the Wisconsin early childhood professional recognition system) within 3 months after assuming the position. For more information about The Registry, call (608) 222-1123 or visit the-registry.org

Caregiver Background Checks

The licensee is responsible for conducting background checks on adult employees or contracted individuals and other adults providing assistance in the center who have access to children. Adult volunteers who are used to meet staff-to-child ratios and student teachers will also need to have a background check conducted by the center or another designated agency such as a technical college, university or employment placing agency. The Department will conduct a background check on all licensees (including owners or board presidents) and adults residing in the center. The Department also conducts a background check on all children ages 12 through 17 years who reside in the center and any other helpers in the center who are ages 12 through 17 years. For more information, visit the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services website.

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