The Child Care Search is an online search tool that helps you find child care near home, work, or stops along your route. To get started, simply enter your home address as a starting point and your destination, then see the results.
You can customize your search based on your family’s needs. For example, filter by the age of your children, hours you need child care, type of child care provider, whether the provider accepts Child Care Assistance, etc. When using the search tool, you will see providers with current openings.
“Favorite” providers on your route to see a side-by-side comparison of information for each program. For example, number of openings by child age categories, participation in the Iowa Quality for Kids (IQ4K®) program and rating level, if the program provides transportation, experience/training supporting children with special needs, etc. Programs update their openings often.
Email yourself the list of favorited providers and take the next steps in determining the provider that best meets you and your child’s needs. A short video on the child care search tool can be found here.
Find additional search information here and step-by-step directions on how to use the Child Care Search tool at the link below:
If you want to learn more about child care options in Iowa and what to look for when choosing quality child care, talk to a Parent Services Team Specialist at 855-244-5301 Monday – Friday from 8 am – 4:30 pm or email the team at childcare@episervice.org
CCR&R gives referrals instead of recommendations because CCR&R encourages parents to take the time to research child care programs and providers and make the decision that they feel will be best for their family.
Our texting tool is the latest edition of our Parent Referral marketing efforts and offers a way for parents to connect with our online referral options by texting.
Start your search today!
This parent text campaign will send no more than six texts offering referral assistance and tips to help parents with their search. (Our texting system is automated and personal responses may be delayed.)
Choosing quality child care is one of the most important decisions you will make for your family.
Subscribe to text/SMS updates easily from any smart phone. Simply send a text message to 59925 with the word IAchildcare for assistance with a local child care referral list.
Contact Iowa Child Care Resource and Referral if you have any questions or issues.
All CCR&R services are free.
Guide to Choosing Quality Child Care (Spanish, Burmese, Swahili)
ABC's of Safe Sleep - page 2 for parents (Spanish, Burmese, French, Swahili)
Interview Provider Checklist - Complete or Condensed Checklist
Iowa Quality for Kids (IQ4K®) Coloring Book with Parent Checklist - Joey goes to Child Care
Iowa Quality for Kids (IQ4K®) Parent Guide
Need help paying for child care?
Child Care Assistance
If you think you might qualify for Child Care Assistance (CCA), talk to your provider about accepting Child Care Assistance (CCA) payments.
How to Apply for HHS Benefits - SNAP, Medicaid, Rent, Child Care, FIP
Some local communities may have additional financial assistance in the form of scholarships or vouchers through community organizations. Click here to find your local Early Childhood Iowa (ECI) family support programs.
Make a plan today!
Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters could affect your area. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find. While your child care provider will have a plan to protect your child if an emergency occurs at their care location, Emergency Preparedness starts at home.
Family Emergency Preparedness
Be Ready Iowa
Ready.Gov
Red Cross
Looking to offer child care in your home?
Review the Application Process
Contact a CCR&R Community Development Specialist in Your Area
How to report your concerns about the care of children?
If you suspect a child under the age of 18 is being abused or neglected:
Call 800-362-2176 - Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Visit Iowa's child abuse website
If you have concerns regarding a child care provider:
Call 866-448-4605 - Iowa Child Care Complaint Hotline
View Child Care Compliance and Complaint Reports
For Every Child - Child abuse prevention, education & treatment programs for children & families.
Links to other services that parents might find helpful.
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Dental Association
Americans with Disabilities Act
CDC Milestone Tracker App
Child Care Aware of America - Child Care Referrals to Other States
Child Care Aware of America - Selecting a Child Care Program
Count the Kicks
Early Childhood Iowa
Iowa Alliance for Healthy Kids - Collaboration with Sesame Street in Communities
Iowa Dept of Education
Iowa Dept of Health and Human Services
Iowa SIDS Foundation
National Safe Kids Campaign
Safe Sleep Iowa
Safe Sleep Iowa - HHS link
Sesame Street in Communities for Caregivers & Parents
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Smoke-Free Homes
*Partner graphic for parent texting program
Request Materials or Supplies to Share with Families »
Iowa Quality for Kids (IQ4K®) is Iowa’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) for HHS-licensed or registered child care programs. IQ4K provides five levels of quality that programs can achieve and allows programs to assess their current grade across all areas of programming and devise a structured plan to increase the overall level of program quality.
Benefits of IQ4K for children and families:
Ask if your child care program participates in IQ4K!
Check out our Parent Referral Services video!
Check out how we help your family with Success for Life!
"Had very good service, was given all the information I asked for and also the worker who helped me was very kind and courteous. She took time and listened to everything I needed and gave me lists about what I asked for." - George