Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Children and Families
DCF 201-252 - Early Care and Education
Chapter DCF 251 - Group Child Care Centers And Child Care Programs Established Or Contracted For By School Boards
Section DCF 251.055 - Supervision and grouping of children

Universal Citation: WI Admin Code ยง DCF 251.055

Current through August 26, 2024

(1) Supervision.

(a) Each child shall be supervised by a child care worker who is within the sight and sound of the children to guide the children's behavior and activities, prevent harm, and ensure safety.

(b) At least one child care teacher shall supervise each group of children.

(c) Assistant child care teachers who are at least 18 years of age and have completed the training required for the position may provide sole supervision to a group of children in full-day centers for opening and closing hours, not to exceed the first 2 hours and the last 2 hours of center operation, and during the center's designated naptime, not to exceed 2 hours.

(d) A child care worker may not provide care for children at the center for more than 12 hours in any 24-hour period.

(e) A child may not be in care for more than 14 hours in any 24-hour period.

(f) The center shall implement and adhere to a procedure to ensure that the number, names, and whereabouts of children in care are known to assigned child care workers at all times.

(g) A child may not be released to any person who has not been previously authorized by the parent.

(h) The center shall implement a procedure to contact a parent if a child is absent from the center without prior notification from the parent.

(i) No person under 18 years of age shall be left in sole charge of a child.

(j) No licensee, employee, volunteer, or other individual in contact with children may consume alcoholic beverages or any non-prescribed controlled substance specified in ch. 961, Stats., on the premises of the center or be under the influence of any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substance, during the hours of the center's operation.

(2) GROUPING OF CHILDREN.

(a) The maximum number of children in a group may not exceed the number specified in Table 251.055.

(b) The ratio of child care workers to children may not be less than the minimum number of child care workers to children specified in Table 251.055.

TABLE DCF 251.055

Maximum Group Size and Minimum Number of Child Care Workers in Group Child Care Centers

Age of Children

Minimum Number of Child Care Workers to Children

Maximum Number of Children in a Group

Birth to 2 Years

1:4

8

years to 2 1/2 Years

1:6

12

2 1/2 Years to 3 Years

1:8

16

3 Years to 4 Years

1:10

20

4 Years to 5 Years

1:13

26

5 Years and Over

1:18

36

(c) When there is a mixed-age group, the required staff-to-child ratios in Table 251.055 shall be adjusted on a pro rata basis in accordance with the ages of the children in the group.

Note: The licensee may use the department's form, Child Care Staff-To-Child Ratio Worksheet - Group Child Care Centers, to adjust the staff-to-child ratio. Forms are available on the department's website at https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/cclicensing/ccformspubs.

(d) When infants and toddlers are part of a mixed-age group, the size of the group may not exceed 8.

(e) When the group of children is a mixed age group of children 2 years and older, the group size shall be determined by the number of children that can be cared for by 2 child care workers with the required staff-to-child ratios in Table 251.055 adjusted on a pro rata basis in accordance with the ages of the children in the group.

(f) Maximum group size does not apply to field trips, outdoor play areas, and areas of the center reserved exclusively for eating. Staff-to-child ratios shall be maintained in those settings.

(g) During naptime, an adjustment in group size and staff-to-child ratios in Table 251.055 may be made as follows:
1. One child care worker shall be within sight or sound of each group of sleeping children.

2. Staff-to-child ratios shall be maintained in the center during naptime.

3. Maximum group size requirements do not apply to napping groups.

4. As children wake, sight and sound supervision and staff-to-child ratios in Table 251.055 shall be maintained for awake children.

(h) When 8 or fewer children are present in a center, there shall be a second adult available to come to the center within 5 minutes for emergencies. The center shall maintain a signed and dated statement from that person, including an address and telephone number, certifying that the person is available and agrees to serve if needed.

(i) In a center with 9 or more children present, there shall be at least 2 adults available in the center at all times. At least one of the adults shall be a child care worker directly involved in the supervision and care of the children.

(j) When 9 or more children are on a field trip there shall be at least 2 child care workers accompanying the children and the staff-to-child ratios in Table DCF 251.055 shall be maintained. At least one of the child care workers shall be a child care teacher.

(k) Support staff, such as clerical, housekeeping, and food service staff, may only be considered in determining whether the required staff-to-child ratios are met at any of the following times:
1. During those hours when they give full attention to the care and supervision of children if they meet the qualifications of a child care worker.

2. During naptime when children are sleeping.

(l) Child care workers shall be free of non-classroom duties when they are counted in meeting the staff-to-child ratios.

(m) Children of staff who attend the center and who are on the premises for supervision and care shall be included in determining group size and staff-to-child ratios

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