My iPad for backing up says I need to connect to wifi and I am connected to wifi

Good morning Cparkwalk!

It sounds like you’re having some trouble with backing up your iPad, and you’d also like some more information about how iCloud works. I’ll be happy to help out with this.

Here’s some information about the issues you're seeing when backing up to iCloud:

To automatically back up your device each day, here's what you need to do:

• Make sure that iCloud Backup is turned on in Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup. If you’re using iOS 10.2 or earlier, go to Settings > iCloud > Backup.
• Connect your device to a power source.
• Connect your device to a Wi-Fi network.
• Make sure that your device's screen is locked.
• Check that you have enough available space in iCloud for the backup.

You can also back up from your Settings menu. Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud, then scroll down and tap iCloud Backup. If you’re using iOS 10.2 or earlier, go to Settings > iCloud, then scroll down and tap Backup. Check that iCloud Backup is on, then tap Back Up Now.*

*If the Back Up Now option is grayed out, it might be because you aren't connected to Wi-Fi or because of a network restriction. For example, sometimes public Internet networks (like school or business networks) have profile or restriction settings that make iCloud Backup unavailable. Contact the system administrator or IT department for help.

If an alert says that there's not enough iCloud storage

This message appears when you need more iCloud storage to back up (The available space on your iOS device is different than your available space in iCloud).

Here are some things you can do:

• Upgrade your iCloud storage plan.
• Make a smaller backup. You can back up fewer apps or delete unwanted photos and videos.
• Delete older backups that you don't need.

This information is from If iCloud Backup couldn’t be completed or you can’t restore - Apple Support

If you’re still not able to backup, let us know what you see when you follow these step here: How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support Is the toggle for iCloud Backup here the place where you said iCloud backup would go on and then off again? What happens when you click "Back Up Now" and do you have a last successful backup listed here?
Cheers!