Certified child care providers are needed in Oconto County, where the demand is high, according to a news release from the Oconto County Health and Human Services Department.
Certified family child care providers play a crucial role in supporting parents and their communities, the release states. Research shows that taking good care of infants and young children is one of the most important long-term goals of any society.
Individuals who have a love for children and a passion for education may want to use their talents to help get kids off to a great start in life by working as a certified child care provider.
Certified providers provide quality child care while making a steady, reliable income, plus receive help to purchase food for meals and snacks. The Oconto County child care coordinator assists with the certification process.
To become an Oconto County certified child care provider, an individual must complete and submit an application for family and in-home child care certification, child day care certification standards and checklist, and caregiver criminal record check and background information disclosure forms.
The person must also submit proof of a negative tuberculosis test within the last 12 months, a water test (for private wells only) and copies of up-to-date rabies vaccinations for all pets.
If the caregiver rents, a copy of the landlord’s permission to operate a child care business must be submitted.
The caregiver must sign a YoungStar contract for reimbursement and complete training in Sudden Infant Death risk reduction and Shaken Baby Syndrome. Syndrome trainings are required for provisional certification.
Introduction to the Child Care Profession and Fundamentals of Family Child Care courses are required for regular certification.
Application fees include an initial, one-time fingerprint fee and background information disclosure form of $17.50 for each person in the household 18 and older and $10 for each household resident 12-17 years old, plus any out-of-state background check fees if a person resided outside of Wisconsin within the last three years. All fees are nonrefundable.
When all required classes are completed and the background checks are processed, an interview/site visit will be scheduled. This interview will include a physical inspection of the home and yard.
Once these steps are satisfactorily completed, a child care provider certification will be issued. Incomplete applications will be denied after 60 days, and the applicant will not be eligible to reapply for six months.
For information, contact Carla Ruechel, child care coordinator, Oconto County Department of Health and Human Services, at 920-834-7161 or carla.ruechel@co.oconto.wi.us.
