Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) refers parents to programs that are most likely to meet their specific needs. Referrals are provided so that parents can look into all of their options:
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.
To start your search online:
Online Search »
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.)
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, Swahili)
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.
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 844-786-1296 - 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