Satellite welcomes all regulated (licensed or certified) family child care providers in or around Madison who are committed to working toward achieving accreditation. Find out more about what the different forms of regulation mean on our accreditation page. Jump to How to Apply.
Family child care providers who are not yet regulated, while not eligible to join Satellite, are still welcome to attend our trainings (fees may apply). Join our mailing list stay notified of upcoming trainings and events and to receive our newsletter.
For a family child care provider, achieving City of Madison accreditation, available only through Satellite, means providing a higher standard of care than either licensing or certification. Families look for accreditation when choosing a provider, and only accredited providers appear on our referral list. Read Ten Reasons Why Family Child Care Providers Like Accreditation from the Family-To-Family Project. Read What Providers Say About Satellite. Visit our Provider Services page.
Satellite's City of Madison Accreditation is recognized by YoungStar as an indicator of quality and equals a 4-star rating on the scale. Education level can bring an accredited family child care provider to the 5-star level.
- Help in attaining City of Madison Accreditation, which indicates that you have met a set of standards for high-quality care. Achieving City of Madison accreditation will make you eligible for a four-star rating through YoungStar.
- Consultation in starting and maintaining a quality family child care business.
- Home visits by professional consultants for technical assistance and support.
- Business support that includes policies and forms for enrolling families.
- Loans of educational unit kits, child care and play equipment, and books.
- Opportunities to build relationships with other providers through trainings, support groups, and social events.
- Continuing education at no cost or a reduced fee, including CPR classes and child development training.
- Professional growth opportunities, including the opportunity to present workshops, mentor new providers, and serve on our advisory committee.
- Periodic newsletters and email updates.
- Respite support, including 12 hours of free respite per year for accredited providers and 6 hours of free respite for associate providers.
- A referral list of our accredited providers with openings, so families can find you.
Satellite has a large collection of lendable equipment to for playing and learning both inside and out! You'll have access to a wide variety of top-quality materials, without any worries about expense or storage. See our lists and descriptions of equipment and unit kits
, a support group for providers, meets monthly in a provider's home. For more information, contact Satellite.
, a support group for Spanish-speaking providers, meets monthly at DCPC. For more information, contact Satellite Bilingual Family Child Care Consultant Ana Blanco at 608-270-3442 or ABlanco@dcpcinc.org.
The is a group for providers who primarily serve families of University of Wisconsin students, staff, and faculty. Space is limited in this program. For more information, contact Family Child Care Consultant Terri Wilson-Carman at 608-270-3440 or TWilson-Carman@dcpcinc.org.
Satellite offers the chance to network with and learn from fellow caregivers. See our Who Are Our Providers? page to find out more about our members.
Through The Registry, Wisconsin child care providers can document their training, experience, and credentials. Satellite provides Registry certificates for every training we offer. See our calendar for upcoming opportunities.
See our education page for information about classes and credentials in child care.
Sometimes you need to get away—to run an errand, go to a doctor’s appointment, or attend the school play. Perhaps you want an extra set of adult hands along for a field trip. Maybe you just want to take a break for a couple hours without leaving the house. For these times, a credentialed and experienced Satellite staff member will come to your home to provide quality child care. Respite is $15.00 per hour. Accredited and associate providers are eligible for respite support. Accredited providers receive 12 hours of free respite per calendar year and associate providers receive 6.
All Satellite providers are either accredited or working toward their accreditation. Most Satellite providers begin as . They have achieved regulation in the form of licensing or certification, and agree to work toward completing Satellite membership requirements. Affiliate members receive:
- Consultation, support and encouragement.
- Toy and equipment loans, including theme units to enhance their programs.
- Networking with others who are knowledgeable about and supportive of the family child care field.
- Business support, including forms and recordkeeping information.
- A resource library of materials related to family child care and early care and education.
- Free training opportunities and support group meetings.
- Free entry-level training opportunities.
have obtained liability insurance and health certification. They continue to work toward meeting Madison Accreditation Standards. Associate members receive all services that affiliate members do (see above), plus:
- Respite services, including 6 hours of free care.
- Assistance in becoming Madison Accredited.
meet all City of Madison accreditation standards [pdf] and meet all Satellite membership requirements. Each provider goes through the reaccreditation process annually. Accredited providers receive all of the services other providers receive (see above), as well as:
- Having their openings appear on the Satellite referral list so families can find them.
- City of Madison Accreditation, which qualifies them for higher reimbursement for county-funded children and to care for children who receive city tuition assistance.
If you are already a licensed or certified family child care provider and want to take your program to the next professional level, we are here to help. If you're ready to join us, download the application to print [pdf] and mail in or complete it electronically [Microsoft Word] and email it to satellitefcc@dcpcinc.org. There is no application fee.
Satellite providers pay a one-time $20 enrollment fee and quarterly fees of $25. A reduction in fees [pdf] is available for those who qualify.
Families in the care of an associate or accredited Satellite provider pay a one-time $20 enrollment fee and quarterly fees that vary based on the hours in care. Families who receive funding or who are otherwise income eligible do not pay Satellite fees [pdf].
Three times a year we publish an electronic newsletter with information for both providers and families.
Recent issues:
Winter 2012 [pdf English]
Winter 2012 [pdf Spanish]
Fall 2011 [pdf English]
Fall 2011 [pdf Spanish]
Spring 2011 [pdf English]
Spring 2011 [pdf Spanish]
Winter 2011 [pdf]
Fall 2010 [pdf]
Spring 2010 [pdf]
To receive future issues, join our mailing list.
All are welcome to join our electronic mailing list and receive our newsletters and information about upcoming trainings. We do not share our mailing list with anyone. Send your email address to satellitefcc@dcpcinc.org.
Contact Satellite at 608-270-3438 or satellitefcc@dcpcinc.org and a consultant will be glad to assist you.
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