Community-based option for elementary school readiness
Wis. Stat. § 49.132
in effect(1) Definitions. In this section:
(a) “Child care provider” means a provider licensed under s. 48.65 or certified under s. 48.651.
(b) “Elementary school readiness program” means an instructional program that provides 4-year-old children with the social and cognitive skills to successfully transition to 5-year-old kindergarten in an elementary school setting.
(c) “School year” has the meaning given in s. 115.001 (13).
(2) Program. The department shall establish a community-based option for an elementary school readiness program under which a participating child care provider offers an elementary school readiness program to eligible children during the school year and receives funding from the department for each eligible child participating in the program.
(3) Eligibility.
(a) Child care providers. A child care provider is eligible to participate in the program under this section if the child care provider satisfies all of the following:
1. Is in compliance with all legal, financial, and regulatory requirements imposed by law or by department rule.
2. Demonstrates to the department that it will annually provide at least 437 hours of direct child instruction in elementary school readiness to children participating in the program.
3. Demonstrates to the department that, for purposes of the program under this section, it uses a curriculum that meets the department of public instruction’s model early learning standards.
4. By no later than February 1 of the preceding school year, notifies the department of its intent to participate in the elementary school readiness program under this section according to application requirements established by the department.
5. Does not have a contract with a school district to provide a 4-year-old kindergarten for the school year in which the child care provider intends to participate in the program.
(b) Children. A child is eligible to participate in the program under this section if all of the following apply:
1. The child is 4 years old on or before September 1 in the school year that the child proposes to participate in the program.
2. The child’s parent or guardian submits an application to participate in the program under this section, on a form prepared by the department, to a participating child care provider.
3. A participating child care provider has accepted the child’s application to attend the elementary school readiness program offered by the child care provider under this section.
(4) Participating child care providers; annual notice. Annually, by February 15, the department shall post on its website a list of all child care providers that have submitted a notice of intent to participate in the program under this section in the following school year. The department shall include all of the following for each participating child care provider:
(a) The name of the child care provider.
(b) The address at which the program under this section will be provided.
(c) The name of and contact information for the provider or an employee of the provider who can answer questions about a child participating in the program under this section at the child care provider.
(d) The number of spaces available with the child care provider for children participating in the program under this section.
(5) Funding.
(a)
1. Except as provided in subd. 2., from the appropriation under s. 20.437 (2) (cr), for each child participating in an elementary school readiness program offered by a child care provider under this section, the department shall pay to the child care provider participating in the program under this section 0.6 times the sum of the revenue ceiling, as defined in s. 121.905 (1), for the current school year and the per pupil amount under s. 115.437 (2) (a) for the current school year.
2. If the appropriation under s. 20.437 (2) (cr) is insufficient to pay the full amount of costs under subd. 1., the department shall prorate payments among the participating child care providers under this section.
(b) The department shall pay 25 percent of the total amount under par. (a) in September, 25 percent in November, 25 percent in February, and 25 percent in May. Each installment may consist of a single check for all children participating in the elementary school readiness program offered by the child care provider.
(c) A child care provider may use payments received under this subsection to cover any costs associated with providing the program under this section. If a child is participating in the program under this section, the child care provider may charge additional amounts to provide care and supervision for that child outside of the elementary school readiness program hours.
(6) Teacher qualifications. A teacher who teaches in an elementary school readiness program offered by a child care provider under this section shall have an associate degree or bachelor’s degree.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/49.132Fetched: 10/7/2026