Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Children and Families
DCF 201-252 - Early Care and Education
Chapter DCF 250 - Family Child Care Centers
Section DCF 250.055 - Supervision and grouping of children
Universal Citation: WI Admin Code ยง DCF 250.055
Current through August 26, 2024
(1) SUPERVISION.
(a) Each child shall be supervised by a
provider to guide the child's behavior and activities, prevent harm, and ensure
safety.
(b) A provider shall be
awake at all times when children are in care.
(c) No individual provider may care for
children for more than 16 hours in any 24-hour period.
(d) No child may be in care for more than 14
hours in any 24-hour period.
(e) At
least one provider who has completed the training required under s. DCF 250.05(3) (b) shall supervise children at all times, except when a substitute is
providing care. A substitute shall meet the requirements under s. DCF 250.05(3) (c) and (4) (a).
(f) No person
under 18 years of age may be left in sole charge of the children.
(g) The center shall have a written plan
reviewed by the department for ensuring supervision of the children in an
emergency or during a provider's absence.
(h) A provider may not be engaged in any
other activity or occupation during the hours of operation of the center when
children are in care, except for daily maintenance of the home.
(i) The licensee may not combine the care of
children enrolled in the child care center with foster care of other
non-related children or adults without the prior written approval of both
licensing agencies.
(j) During the
hours of the center's operation, no provider or any other person in contact
with children in care may consume or be under the influence of beverages
containing alcohol or any non-prescribed controlled substance specified in ch.
961, Stats.
(k) A child may not be
released to any person who has not been previously authorized by the parent to
receive the child.
(l) The licensee
shall implement and adhere to a procedure to ensure that the number, names, and
whereabouts of children in care are known to the provider at all
times.
(m) A provider shall be
outside with children and provide sight and sound supervision of the children,
unless the children are playing inside the enclosed outdoor area on the
premises specified under s. DCF 250.06 (11) (b).
(n) A provider shall be outside with children
providing sight and sound supervision of the children when a wading pool
containing water is present in the outdoor play space specified in s. DCF 250.06 (11) (b).
(2) GROUPING OF CHILDREN.
(a) At no time may more
than 8 children be in the care of the center. This limitation applies to all of
the following:
1. All children under 7 years
of age, including a provider's own children.
2. All children 7 years of age or older who
are not a provider's own children.
(b) The maximum number of children that one
provider may care for is specified in Table 250.055.
(c) If the size of the group or the age
distribution of the children exceeds the number that may be served by one
provider, an additional qualified provider shall be present.
Note: For example, if there are 3 children under 2 years of age present at one time and 5 children between the 2 years of age and 6 years of age present, a second provider is required. At no time may the maximum number of children in care exceed 8.
(d) When care is provided on a level that is
more than 6 feet above or below ground level, no more than 2 children under 2
years of age per provider may be in care.
Section DCF 250.06 (4) (e) requires an interconnected smoke detection system in operating condition if one or more children under 2 years of age will be cared for in a location that is more than six feet above or below the ground level.
Table DCF 250.055
Maximum Number of Children in Family Child Care per Provider
| Children Under 2 Years of Age | Children 2 Years of Age and Older | Maximum Number of Additional School-age Children In Care For Fewer Than 3 Hours a Day | Maximum Number of Children Permitted At One Time |
| 0 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1 | 7 | 0 | 8 |
| 2 | 5 | 1 | 8 |
| 3 | 2 | 3 | 8 |
| 4 | 0 | 2 | 6 |
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Wisconsin may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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