State Law (Chapter 48, Wis. Stats.)

**No person shall for compensation provide supervision for 4 or more children under the age of seven for less than 24 hours a day unless he obtains a license to operate a day care center from the Department of Health and Social Services.

**This section does not include: a relative or guardian, a public or parochial school, or a person employed to come to the home of the child’s parent.

The law applies when:

• There are 4 or more children present at a time.

• The children are under age seven.

• Care is outside of the child’s own home.

• The caregiver is a non-relative and non-guardian.

• The child care is for compensation.

• The parents are off the premises.

• The child care is less than 24 hours per day.
   

• Child care is sponsored by a public or parochial school.

• The care is given in the child’s home.

• The parents are on the premises for shopping or recreation.

• Supervision is for activities such as dancing, music, religious education class, Girl Scouts, etc.

• Care is a seasonal program for 10 days or less in any 3 month period.