A new online tool offered by the state will allow families to more easily research child care providers.
The tool available through the new Department of Children and Families' website allows users to search for licensed child care programs in Wisconsin. Governor Jim Doyle says it can offer important information, such as the licensing status of the center and a history of any complaints filed against the provider. The database also lists any enforcement actions that may have been taken.
The database includes nearly 6,000 licensed providers in the state.
The Governor says he would like to see it expanded even further to include a rating system, which would evaluate and rank providers based on the quality of care they offer. He says the rankings could also be used to help determine the level of state funding facilities can receive.
The rating system was rejected by lawmakers in the last state budget, but Doyle says he will continue pushing for the measure.