How to Get Started with Child Care Services of Wisconsin

To get started with Child Care Services of Wisconsin, go to childcareservicesofwis.com and use the "Schedule my free consultation" button to request a free consultation. The site also has client forms, a nanny application, and separate pages for Illinois and Wisconsin families. The consultation is the first step in the agency's "Family First" system: the agency listens to your child care needs, then builds an individualized plan to match a nanny to your family.

Start with the free consultation

The site presents the free consultation as the entry point for families. The button appears in the header area and again in the main page content ("Schedule my FREE Consultation").

1. Open childcareservicesofwis.com.
2. Select "Schedule my free consultation" (or "Schedule my FREE Consultation" in the page body).
3. Describe your situation when the agency follows up. The site lists the kinds of needs it expects to hear about: work schedules that change and create an urgent need for a nanny, difficulty finding time to search and screen candidates, and worries about whether a caregiver is reliable or caring enough.

Expected result: a consultation in which the agency reviews your needs and moves you into its matching process. The site describes Step 2 as putting an "Individualized Plan into Action" to match a nanny to the client's needs.

Choose the right state page

The navigation includes "IL Families" and "WI Families," and the agency describes itself as serving Southeast Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. Use the page for the state where your family lives so you see the relevant family information. The pricing page is linked from the main navigation as "Pricing," with the "IL Families" link appearing alongside it in the site's link list. The site does not publish rates in the material reviewed here, so confirm fees during the consultation rather than assuming a price or a free placement.

Know what the agency places

The "How We Can Help" section lists the placement types:

If your need falls outside these categories, raise it in the consultation before completing any forms.

Other entry points on the site

• Client forms — for families already working with the agency or asked to complete paperwork.
• Nanny applications — for caregivers seeking placement; the site says applicants are fully screened and reference-checked.
• Success stories — family testimonials, useful for judging fit before you commit.
• About us — background on the agency, including its claim to be the oldest and most recognized placement agency in Southeast Wisconsin and Northern Illinois.

What to expect from the process

The agency's stated approach is a two-step "Family First" system: a free consultation, then an individualized match. It says it works with caregivers who have prior experience as nannies, teachers, nurses, and day care providers, and that all applicants are screened and reference-checked. It also says it has placed nannies who stayed with families for more than 10 years.

Two practical points follow from this. First, the quality of the match depends on how specifically you describe your schedule, your children's needs, and the qualities you want in a caregiver during the consultation. Second, screening and reference checks are the agency's stated practice, so ask in the consultation what the check covers and what happens if a placement does not work out.

Common sticking points

• Skipping the consultation and going straight to forms. The consultation is the step that triggers matching; forms alone do not start a search.
• Using the wrong state page. Families in Illinois and Wisconsin have separate pages, so check that you are on the one for your state.
• Assuming a price. The site links to a pricing page but does not state rates in the material reviewed; get the fee structure directly from the agency.
• Vague needs. Because the plan is individualized, a general request ("we need a nanny") gives the agency less to work with than specifics about hours, ages, and start date.