A Child Care Center (CCC) or a Preschool is a commercial facility providing child care for many children.
Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) provides professional development and consultation services that support the child care business's ability to achieve and maintain regulatory status in good standing and work to achieve and maintain performance at higher quality levels in Iowa’s Quality Rating System (QRS). Please contact your Child Care Consultant with any questions you may have.
CCR&R provides training and support to child care centers in order to achieve and maintain regulatory status in good standing and improve the quality of care provided to children. The best part is assistance from a CCR&R Child Care Consultant is always 100% FREE!
A Child Care Center (CCC) or a Preschool is a commercial facility providing child care for many children. A Child Care Center is:
CCR&R Child Care Consultants are a resource to help improve the quality of care for all of Iowa’s children. Consultants provide technical assistance and consultations to meet the individualized needs of each provider. Consultation topics may include:
Contact a CCR&R Recruitment & Retention Specialist in Your Area
Regulation guidelines from the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Fire Marshal, which explains the minimum requirements for centers in Iowa.
Fire Marshal Requirements - Iowa State Fire Marshal's Office
Comm 204 - DHS Licensing Standards & Procedures
Comm 204, Section 109.6 - Center Director Requirements, On-Site Supervisor Requirements, Director & On-Site Supervisor Functions Combined, Volunteers & Substitutes, Record Checks & Evaluations
Comm 204, Part IV Tools - Center Director Qualifications Point Chart
Comm 204, Part IV Tools - Site Supervisor Qualifications Point Chart
Comm 204, Part IV Tools - Qualifications for Center Director of School-age Program Point Chart
Comm 204 - Part IV Tools - Qualifications for On-Site Supervisor of School-age Program Point Chart
Chapter 109 - Licensing Rules
Chapter 170 - Requirements for Child Care Assistance (CCA)
Child Care Assistance Forms and Information
Department of Human Services (DHS) Child Care Provider Portal
Emergency Preparedness - Resources to help write plans and procedures
Fingerprints and SING - Record check guide
Child Care Injury/Incident Report - Form to be completed any time an injury that requires first aid or medical care which occurs in a child care home, child development home, or licensed child care facility.
800-362-2178 - Please call if you suspect a child under the age of 18 is being abused or neglected or visit Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) child abuse website.
844-786-1296 - Please call the Iowa Child Care Complaint Hotline if you have concerns regarding a child care provider.
DHS Child Care Reports - Showing the history of complaints and compliance reports.
Check with your local city zoning and county regulations for requirements.
Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) requires additional training during each licensing period.
i-PoWeR Professional Workforce Registry
Staff Files form to assist Directors with tracking all staff required records and mandatory training
Professional Growth & Development Record form to assist individuals in their professional development plan
Minimum required training for staff during first 3 months of employment:
CCR&R Professional Development Opportunities - Online and face-to-face options
Child Care Ready - Series for new staff to meet 3-month training for requirements
Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential - Series for staff to improve competency standards
DHS Approved Professional Development Opportunities - Tools, trainings and resources
Iowa Early Learning Standards - Standards, benchmarks, examples and adult supports for Iowa Core Knowledge of Child Development
This is a preliminary list of items that must be submitted and reviewed by the Department of Human Services (DHS) for the initial license of a preschool or Child Care Center (CCC) found in Comm 204.
DHS reviews use of forms DCI-77, 470-3301 and 470-2310
DCI-77 State of Iowa form
ID# 470-3301
ID# 470-2310
ID# 470-3940
ID# 470-5152 (Acceptable physical examinations shall be documented on form 470-5152 per checklist 109.9(1)d.)
Written policies required by 441 Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 109.
Department of Human Services (DHS) Report of Suspected Child Abuse - ID# 470-0665
This document must be accurately completed and signed by the foster parent and child care provider for reimbursement to occur to the foster parent after services have occurred and payment has been received.
This is a universal tool for the provider and consultant which is applicable to continuous quality improvement actions: i.e. Department of Human Services (DHS) Referrals, Quality Rating System (QRS) Strategies, ChildNet Certifications or training key concepts.
Required information from DHS checklist, 109.9(2)a
Packet of required information to be kept in the children’s file for each child enrolled.
Required information for DHS Checklist, 109.10(10)
Child care staff use to document an injury or accident. One copy is to be kept in the child’s file and one copy given to the parent or guardian.
Required information from Department of Human Services (DHS) checklist, 109.9(2).
Checklist of required information to be included in each child's file.
Required information from Department of Human Services (DHS) checklist, 109.9(2)d and f.
Parent consent and release form addressing child pick up, trips, transportation, swimming, photos and other.
Required information for DHS Checklist, 109.15(3)a/Infant, 109.10(1)a/Preschool, 109.10(1)b/School-age.
If a participant needs to avoid specific foods for a medical reason, a prescribing licensed medial professional must document the diet modifications and sign this form.
Required information for DHS checklist, 109.9(2)b. This suggested form is being utilized from Comm 143.
Information should be readily accessible.
Required information for DHS checklist, 109.10(15)b.
Required information for DHS Checklist, 109.10(15)b.
Fire and tornado drills are practiced monthly and documentation kept on file for the current year and previous year.
Required information from Department of Human Services (DHS) checklist, 109.6(7) and 109.9(1)a.
Signed statements regarding convictions, abuse, communicable diseases & controlled substences.
Information should be readily accessible for equipment checks of smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguisher and evacuation equipment.
Examples of forms and other available information on this site include:
Physical forms for all ages, breastfeeding support, child illness guide, diapering procedures, electrical outlet safety, exposure plan, first aid checklist, handwashing instructions, infant daily report, injury report, mandatory reporting site poster, sleep safe policy, etc.
When a Certificate of Immunization or Immunization Exempt Form are not available, a Provisional Certificate of Immunization can be used. Expiration date is usually 60 days. If the immunizations are further behind than can be caught up in 60 days, another provisional can be issued for an additional 60 days. As you can see on the record, a child must have received at least one dose of each of the required immunizations for this to be a valid option.
Medical or Religious
Required information from Department of Human Services (DHS) checklist, 109.10(1)c.
Form parents complete if they refuse to immunize their children because of religion or doctor recommendation.
Required information from Department of Human Services (DHS) checklist, 109.7(2).
Required information from Department of Human Services (DHS) checklist, 109.12(5)e.
Safe Sleep procedures for providers and parents.
Required information from Department of Human Services (DHS) checklist, 109.10(11).
A direct link to the Iowa Department of Health Smoke Free Air Act information including a link to print signs.
(PDF & Word formats)
Required information from Department of Human Services (DHS) checklist, 109.7(1).
Tracking form from Department of Human Services (DHS).
Forms and resources for Center Directors.
**Under Construction - please stop back, this section undergoing frequent updates
Orientation Guidebook to Child Care Licensing in Iowa
Child Care Consultant Area Map - DHS Licensing Consultant Map
Communities of Practice - Statewide Event Calendar
Emergency Preparedness - Template and Tools
Quality Rating System
Recruitment & Retention - Recruitment for Early Childhood Professionals
Staff Performance Evaluation Sample
Update Your File
Forms and resources to help with budget planning for your Child Care Center including fiscal management, fundraising and reports.
Center Budget Projections
Center Budget Template from Opportunities Exchange
Links to resources that Child Care Centers might find helpful.
CCR&R Helpful Links Webpage
American with Disabilities Act (ADA) - FAQ for child care programs
Area Education Agency (AEA) - Special Education Services, Birth to 21
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) - Reimbursement Program for Meals & Snacks
Child Care Nurse Consultant (CCNC) - Experts in Child Health, Care & Safety
Child Care WAGE$® IOWA - Salary Supplement Program
First Children's Finance - Business Resource Center for Child Care Centers
Iowa Source Link - Helping Iowa Business Start and Grow
T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® IOWA - Teacher Education and Compensation Helps
Learn more about: Articles of incorporation, By-Laws, Board Insurance, Center Director responsibilities or Board member responsibilities in overall management, Strategic Planning: Mission and Vision.
Articles of Incorporation - Minimum code requirement - Iowa Code section 504.202
Assigning Fiscal Responsibilities
Board Agenda Sample
Board Member Roles & Responsibilities
Board Member Selection
Business Structures - First Children's Finance
Business Structures, For-Profit vs Nonprofit - First Children's Finance
By-Laws
Center Business Plan Outline - First Children's Finance
Center Considerations - Before opening
Center Packet Letter - Steps to starting a Child Care Center
Child Care Aware of America - Child Care Center Provider Resource
Color and Interior Design Ideas
Director Board Update Sample
Director Competencies - Early Childhood Iowa
Director Requirements - Comm 204
Emergency Preparedness - Template and tools
First Children's Finance Center Resources - Business tools
Forming A Nonprofit - Iowa.gov
Iowa Principles and Practices for Charitable Nonprofit Excellence
NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment
Parent Handbook Sample
Property Maintenance Considerations
Retaining Important Records List