Support for Child Care Providers Across Iowa
Get the tools and support you need to start, manage, and grow your child care program with confidence. From licensing and training to funding and guidance, we’re here to help every step of the way.
Iowa Child Care Search: Regulated Child Care Centers and Homes
Find regulated child care options that fit your family’s needs, schedule, and budget. We make it easy to search, compare, and access helpful resources so you can choose care with confidence.
Iowa Child Care Resource & Referral (Iowa CCR&R)
Find Child Care and Assistance in Iowa
Families, providers, and communities across Iowa rely on Iowa Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) for trusted child care information, support, and resources.
Call 855-244-5301 from Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.,
or email our Parent Service Team at childcare@episervice.org.
Whether you are searching for child care, exploring child care assistance in Iowa, or looking for support for your child care program, CCR&R connects you to tools and guidance that help strengthen care for children across the state.
Staff assistance for Iowa Families and Child Care Providers
Connect with CCR&R staff for support, guidance, and next steps related to child care services in Iowa.
Families, providers, and community partners can search by topic, region, or staff name to find the right contact.
CCR&R staff can assist with:
• Child care referrals
• Becoming a provider
• Professional development
• IQ4K support
• Behavioral health services
• Program questions and resources
Search below to connect with a CCR&R staff member.
Get help from a staff member:
Popular topics: Child Care Referrals, Starting a Program, Professional Development, IQ4K, Behavioral Health, Program Support
Document Resources for Iowa Families and Child Care Providers
Search CCR&R forms, guides, templates, and child care resources in one place.
Resources are organized by topic to help families and providers quickly find the information they need.
Resources may include:
• Forms and applications
• Training resources
• Health and safety guidance
• Business and program tools
• Family resources
• IQ4K materials
Use the search below to find document resources by topic.
Search document resources:
Popular topics: Forms & Applications, Training, Health & Safety, Business tools, IQ4K
Iowa Child Care Search:
Licensed Child Care Centers
and Registered Homes
CCR&R can help families search for regulated child care programs across the state. Search results may include regulated child care centers, preschools, and registered child development homes. CCR&R provides referrals to help families find child care. Families can explore options and choose what works best for them.
Families can receive support with:
- Finding child care programs that meet their needs
- Understanding different child care settings
- Learning what to look for in quality child care
- Exploring program information and availability
- Connecting with local child care referrals
To learn more about child care options in Iowa, contact a Parent Services Team Specialist.
- Use the Contact Us page
- Call 855-244-5301 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.)
- Email childcare@episervice.org
Get Help Paying for Child Care: Iowa Child Care Assistance
Families may qualify for child care assistance (CCA) through the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. These programs can help reduce the cost of care. CCR&R helps families understand available options and find information about the CCA application process.
Families searching for child care assistance in Iowa can learn about:
- How to contact the Iowa child care assistance number for additional support
- Finding child care providers that accept child care assistance
CCR&R can also help families connect with local resources and child care referrals while exploring financial assistance options.
Quality Child Care in Iowa: Learn About Ratings and Resources
Quality child care supports healthy child development and school readiness. Iowa CCR&R helps families and providers learn more about quality standards, professional development, and continuous quality improvement resources available across Iowa.
Families can explore information about:
- Differences between types of child care: Centers, Preschools, Homes
- Ratio and Supervision standards of practice
- Iowa quality rating and improvement and improvement and improvement systems and standards (IQ4K)
- Health and safety practices
- Early learning environments
- Program resources and provider supports
- Child development and family engagement
Providers can access professional development, coaching, and consultation services that support quality improvement efforts within their programs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Iowa Child Care Resource & Referral?
Iowa Child Care Resource & Referral (Iowa CCR&R) is a statewide program that supports families, child care providers, and communities through system-wide solutions, referrals, training, consultation, and child care resources.
CCR&R helps families search for child care and supports providers with tools, resources and professional development.
How do I search for child care in Iowa?
Families can call or email a CCR&R Parent Services Team member to receive a free and confidential child care referral list tailored to their specific needs. CCR&R helps families find child care programs and provides referrals.
CCR&R does not recommend specific programs, so families can explore options and choose what works best for them. Referral lists may include regulated child care centers, preschools, and registered child development homes that meet a family’s search criteria. The team can also help families navigate Iowa’s online child care search tool, Iowa Child Care Connect, to find regulated child care centers, preschools, and child development homes throughout the state.
How do I apply for Iowa child care assistance?
Families can apply for child care assistance through the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Families can also visit our Child Care Assistance (CCA) page to learn more about the process
CCR&R can help families understand available resources, required information, and next steps but cannot complete or submit the application for them.
What support does Iowa CCR&R provide to child care providers?
Iowa CCR&R provides consultation, professional development, coaching, technical assistance, and resource support for child care centers, preschools, and home providers across Iowa.
What types of child care programs can families search for?
Families can search for licensed child care centers, preschools, and Child Development Home providers through Iowa child care search resources.
Families can also explore programs based on location, program type, and available services.
