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Mother and Child

My YoungStar technical consultant was wonderful! She brought lots of resources and suggestions for how I could improve my environment. I felt really supported by YoungStar in making changes that benefit the children in my care.

- provider in Hayward, WI

For Providers

Every day, children look to you for learning, nurturing and guidance. We know how hard you work to provide them with high quality child care. That's what YoungStar is all about: making sure that Wisconsin children get the best possible start in life. We want to help you get the most from YoungStar, and help you shine as brightly as the little stars in your care.

Before You Apply

School-Age YoungStar

YoungStar Training

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips and Tools

YoungStar Details

YoungStar Policies

YoungStar and Wisconsin Shares



Find Your Regional Office

Tiered Reimbursement

The goal of YoungStar is to improve the quality of child care and reward high-quality providers by:

  • Establishing a 5 Star quality rating system for all child care providers.
  • Paying Wisconsin Shares quality bonuses to 4 Star and 5 Star child care providers.

All providers who accept Wisconsin Shares subsidy payments need to apply to YoungStar before July 1, 2012 or they will no longer be eligible to care for children in the Wisconsin Shares program.

Beginning July 1, 2012, Wisconsin Shares subsidy reimbursement levels will be based on the child care provider's star rating in the following manner:

5 Star Provider - Meets highest levels of quality standards.  Wisconsin Shares subsidy reimbursement will be increased by 10%.

4 Star Provider - Meets elevated levels of quality standards.  Wisconsin Shares subsidy reimbursement will be increased by 5%.

3 Star Provider - Meets proficient levels of quality standards.  Wisconsin Shares subsidy reimbursement will remain the same.

2 Star Provider - Meets health and safety standards.  Wisconsin Shares subsidy reimbursement will be reduced by 5%.

1 Star Provider - Not eligible for Wisconsin Shares subsidy reimbursement.  These providers' child care licenses or certifications have been revoked, denied or suspended, or their Wisconsin Shares payments have been suspended due to fraud or suspected fraud.

Document have been created to help providers and parents understand Tiered Reimbursement:

NOTE: Licensed Day Camps are not included in YoungStar at this time and do not need to send in a YoungStar Contract.  They will be required to participate in YoungStar in 2013.

Revisions for 2012

We have revised the YoungStar quality indicators slightly for 2012.  The version available below will be used for any programs that have been rated once in YoungStar and are renewing their participation and also for all providers who apply to YoungStar for the first time after March 1, 2012.

A document outlining the changes to YoungStar for 2012 has been developed to help providers who are renewing their YoungStar applications: Changes to YoungStar for 2012

Additionally, school-age care providers are now invited to apply to YoungStar.  Visit the School-Age YoungStar webpage for more information.


Your YoungStar rating is awarded based upon points earned across 4 categories: Education Qualifications and Training, Learning Environment and Curriculum, Professional and Business Practices, and Child Health and Well-Being Practices.

Providers can choose to have a YoungStar Technical consultant come to your program and help you achieve your goals for higher quality and higher star ratings. Ratings are renewed annually, so your stars can rise as the quality of care you provide rises.

YoungStar participation is required for provider who accept Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy payments (sometimes called "county subsidy").  For more information about how Wisconsin Shares and the role it plays with YoungStar, visit the YoungStar and Wisconsin Shares webpage.

Printable copy of the YoungStar brochure for providers

YoungStar Application Forms

Providers who want to participate in YoungStar must agree to accept children enrolled in the Wisconsin Shares subsidy program by completing the YoungStar Contract and submitting the form to their Local YoungStar Office. Providers must complete a YoungStar Contract for each individual child care site, even if they are owned or operated by the same person or organization.

YoungStar Renewal

Providers who are currently participating in YoungStar and want information about reapplying for 2012, should not use the forms below.  Please visit our YoungStar Renewal webpage for information about reapplying:

Information about reapplication to YoungStar for 2012

 

Form for Group Providers

  • YoungStar Contract - for Group Providers who have never participated in YoungStar before  English   Spanish   Hmong
  • Instructions for completing forms:
  • Points Detail for Group Providers: this document provides a high-level overview of the areas in which providers can earn points and star ratings in YoungStar.
  • Evaluation Criteria for Group Providers: this document providers an in-depth explanation of how each point in YoungStar is evaluated and scored.  This document is used by the YoungStar Raters to rate programs.  The version available now will be used for any programs that have been rated once in YoungStar and are renewing their participation and also for all providers who apply to YoungStar for the first time after March 1, 2012.

Form for Family Providers

  • YoungStar Contract - for Family Providers who have never participated in YoungStar before  English   Spanish   Hmong
  • Instructions for completing forms:
  • Points Detail for Family Providers: this document provides a high-level overview of the areas in which providers can earn points and star ratings in YoungStar.
  • Evaluation Criteria for Family Providers: this document providers an in-depth explanation of how each point in YoungStar is evaluated and scored.  This document is used by the YoungStar Raters to rate programs.  The version available now will be used for any programs that have been rated once in YoungStar and are renewing their participation and also for all providers who apply to YoungStar for the first time after March 1, 2012.

Form for School-Age Providers

Forms for Out of State Providers

Providers in other states (Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota) who care for children who receive Wisconsin Shares subsidies need to fill out a Wisconsin Shares Contract but not a YoungStar Contract. Out of state providers should send completed forms to The Department of Children and Families, Attention: YoungStar Program, 201 East Washington Avenue, Madison, WI 53701.


The Department of Children and Families, protecting children, strengthening families, building communities.