Child Care Home accepting Child Care Assistance
A nonregistered Child Care Home (CCH) that accepts Child Care Assistance (CCA) and provides care in their own home must have a Provider Agreement with the Department of Human Services (DHS) and meet certain regulatory requirements. There are fewer training requirements than registered Child Development Homes (CDH) and the reimbursement rate for Child Care Assistance (CCA) is less (click here for rate chart page). Effective October 1, 2016, DHS will monitor annually.
Child Care Homes (CCH) accepting Child Care Assistance (CCA) regulation guidelines from Department of Human Services (DHS), which explains the minimum requirements:
- Comm 95 - Minimum Health & Safety Standards
- Chapter 120 - Procedures for Child Care Homes (CCH) that have Child Care Assistance (CCA) Agreement
- Chapter 170 - Requirements for the payment of Child Care Assistance (CCA)
- To access the Department of Human Services (DHS) Child Care Provider Portal, click here
Steps to become a Child Care Home accepting Child Care Assistance
If you want to become a Child Care Home (CCH) with a Child Care Assistance Provider Agreement (CCA), you’ll need to fill out Form 470-2890, Payment Application for Nonregistered Providers and Form 470-3871, Child Care Assistance Provider Agreement. Everyone who lives in the home over the age of 14 will need to fill out a Background Check and everyone 18 years of age or older must complete a Fingerprinting Card. New nonregistered provider application packets are available through CCR&R here.
To help prepare providers for Department of Human Services (DHS) home inspections, please use the Self-Assessment (monitoring) CCHA form. For more information, click here.
Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) provides training and consultation services that support the child care provider’s ability to achieve regulatory status. Please contact your Child Care Consultant with any questions you may have.
For more information about accepting Child Care Assistance (CCA), click here.
Child Care Homes accepting Child Care Assistance are also eligible to participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), see requirements for participation here.
Required Forms - DHS
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Payment Application for Nonregistered Providers - ID# 470-2890 |
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Health, Safety and Fire Standards Checklist for CCHA - ID# 470-5385 |
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Child Care Assistance Provider Agreement - ID# 470-3871 |
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Lead Assessment - ID# 470-4755 |
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Authorization for Release of Child and Dependent Adult Abuse Information - ID# 470-3301 (for anyone over the age of 14 living in the home) (Spanish) |
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Pet Health Exam - ID# 470-5153 |
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Child Abuse - DHS Report of Suspected Child Abuse - ID# 470-0665 |
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Providers will be responsible for having their fingerprints "rolled" before submitting their registration materials. The provider is responsible for the completion of all required criminal record check forms. To obtain these forms please contact the Department of Human Services at 866-448-4605. |
Suggested Forms - CCR&R
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Required information for DHS Checklist, 120.8(1)O. To be completed with a copy to the parent and child's health record. *Update: DHS released this new form August 1, 2017 |
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Required information for DHS Checklist, 120.9(1). Packet of required information to be kept in the children’s file for each child enrolled. |
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| Children's Files CCHA |
Checklist to assist CCHA providers in reviewing Children's Files. |
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Required information for DHS Checklist, 120.9(2)F and I. Parent consent and release form addressing child pick up, trips, transportation, swimming, photos and other. |
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Required information for DHS Checklist, 120.9(2)B. Packet of required information to be kept in the children's file for each child enrolled. |
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Required information for DHS Checklist, 120.8(1)A. Information should be readily accessible. |
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Required information for DHS Checklist, 120.8(4)A. Information should be readily accessible. |
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Required information for DHS Checklist, 120.8(4)A. Fire and tornado drills are practiced monthly and documentation kept on file for the current year and previous year. |
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This link will take you to the Emergency Preparedness page. Iowa law requires child care providers to have a written emergency plan in place by October 1, 2016. There are templates and tools available for child care providers to help meet your program's needs. You are not required to use any of the templates and tools offered, although the tools and templates will help you meet requirements in Iowa law. |
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Required information for DHS Checklist, 120.8(1)G and H. Information should be readily accessible for equipment checks of smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguisher and evacuation equipment. |
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This link will take you to the Emergency Preparedness page. Fire and tornado symbols may be used as visual aids to help children understand the required written emergency plans posted by the primary and secondary exits. |
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Health Form - Infant, Toddler, Preschool Age |
Required information from DHS Checklist, 120.9(2)D. The provider should give this form to the parent/guardian of the attending child, to have the form completed by a physician. The provider should then keep a copy of this form in the child's personal file. |
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Health Form - School Age Child, Parent Statement of Health |
Required information from DHS Checklist, 120.9(2)E. The provider should give to the parent/guardian of the attending child for completion. The provider should then keep a copy of this form in the child's personal file. |
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Healthy Child Care Iowa (HCCI) link to website |
Examples of forms and other available information on this site include: 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. |
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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. |
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Immunization Exempt Form |
Form parents complete if they refuse to immunize their children because of religion or doctor recommendation. |
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Required information from DHS checklist, 120.8(3)C. Suggested form to be completed by the parent and provider when an enrolled child is given any medicine, topical cream, sunscreen, diaper ointment, breathing treatment, etc. Parent signature is required. |
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Required information from DHS checklist, 120.8(1)I. A direct link to the Iowa Department of Health Smoke Free Air Act information including a link to print signs. |
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This document allows providers to document attendance of no more than five children. |
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| Renovation, Remodeling & Repainting Rule FAQ |
Renovation can disturb paint and this includes sanding, cutting, and demolition. Learn how this can hurt adults and children. |
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Renovation, Remodeling & Repainting - Lead Hazard Notification Process |
This applies to all persons who perform renovation, remodeling, or repainting for compensation in target housing or a child-occupied facility. |
| Safe Sleep ABC's |
Required information from DHS checklist, 120.8(5)A through D. Safe Sleep procedures for providers and parents. |
| This self-assessment will be used by the provider and Child Care Consultant to assure homes are a safe, nurturing place for children that promote developmentally appropriate practices. Use this form to prepare for your DHS annual inspection. | |
| Transporting Children |
Required information from DHS checklist, 120.8(1)M. This link will take you to the Iowa Child Restraint Law document. |
Sample Policies and Plans
Your Child Care Home (CCH) accepting Child Care Assistance (CCA) will benefit from having policies and plans to effectively communicate with parents and staff. The largest benefit of having policies and plans is to protect child care providers. Please click here to learn more.
Training
Iowa’s Child Care Provider Training Registry is an online tool where child care professionals can locate and enroll for DHS-approved professional development. To access and enroll for DHS-approved professional development opportunities, please see their website.
Prior to the issuance of a Child Care Assistance (CCA) Provider Agreement and every five years thereafter, the primary and substitute provider shall complete minimum health and safety trainings approved by the Department of Human Services (DHS).
- Two hours of approved child abuse and neglect mandatory reporter training - MCART
- Certification in infant and child first aid that includes manangement of a blocked airway and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation (check with your Child Care Consultant for training options in your area)
- Twelve hours of approved health and safety training (Essentials Preservice Series or ECE-133)
- Essentials training will always count towards ongoing professional development hours the initial time it is taken.
For complete Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) child care provider agreement guidelines on training requirements, please see Comm 95.
To view a complete listing of core trainings offered by CCR&R, click here.
Suggested Training
Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) does not require additional training hours for Child Care Home (CCH) providers and substitutes accepting Child Care Assistance (CCA). However, it is encouraged to attend the suggested list of trainings to further professional development. CCR&R offers low- or no-cost training designed to help early childhood professionals meet registration requirements and become more successful in developing skills for working with children and families. Suggested core training options:
| ChildNet 2.0 |
This series provides the foundational skills needed to operate a successful child care business. Upon series completion, providers will be eligible for ChildNet Certification and to obtain points in the Quality Rating System (QRS). |
| Emergency Preparedness |
Resource page only - Iowa law requires child care providers to have a written emergency plan in place by October 1, 2016. Emergency plans must include procedures for 6 key areas. There are templates and tools available for child care providers to help meet your program's needs. You are not required to use any of the templates and tools offered, although the tools and templates will help you meet requirements in Iowa law. |
| Essentials Preservice Series |
This series offers providers important information on ten key health and safety topics and was developed to meet Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) professional development requirements. |
| This basic orientation training will focus on behavior shaping through a trauma-informed lens. It will use the latest science from multiple fields to support the practice of staff engaged in helping children overcome challenges that are not of their own doing or choice. Changing the question of “what’s wrong with you” to “what happened to you?” | |
| Mandatory Child Abuse Reporter Training |
Providers are required to attend this Iowa-specific training to learn how to identify the signs of child abuse and the steps needed to report incidents. |
| Medication Administration |
This course is designed to address the principles and skills needed to administer medications to children. |
| Universal Precautions |
In this training, providers will learn what can be done to protect the children in their care from the spread of germs and disease. Additionally, they will gain an understanding of the importance of post-exposure policies and procedures. |
Update your File
Having accurate information on your child care program in the CCR&R database allows us to assist in marketing your child care program to parents looking for child care. To match your program to the needs of families we need to know important information like hours of operation, ages served, changes in phone numbers or email address. Update your program file here.
How to Become a Registered Child Development Home
CCR&R strives to help providers create unique environments that allow children to develop and grow in their own way while focusing on the provider’s strengths, education and skills. Explore your registration options here.
Benefits of Registration
Being a Child Care Home (CCH) with a Child Care Assistance Provider Agreement (CCA) allows you to be reimbursed when caring for children whose child care is paid by the state. You can care for no more than 5 children. Just as registered Child Development Homes (CDH) do, you'll get an annual inspection. You will be required to take some trainings. A registered Child Development Home (CDH) must take more trainings each year. As a Child Care Home (CCH) accepting Child Care Assistance (CCA) you are ineligible to participate in ChildNet Certification or the Quality Rating System (QRS), but if you are registered, you would be able to take advantage of these great programs!
Benefits of registration as a Child Development Home (CDH) provider include:
- Satisfaction of knowing you meet the minimum requirements for child care in accordance with the Iowa Administrative Code.
- Prestige of a Certificate of Registration that shows the parents and the public that you meet the minimum requirements for child care in the state of Iowa.
- Eligibility for consultation from the Department of Human Services (DHS) in all aspects of child care.
- Registration identifies your Child Development Home (CDH) for the referral system maintained by the local office of Human Services and the Child Care Resource & Referral agency.
- Registration identifies your home to child care organizations and other community resources, such as extension services, Community Action programs, Head Start and Child Care Resource & Referral agencies. These agencies can provide services such as training, consultation, collaboration and resource development.
- Registration can open communications with a variety of child care resources, which tends to lessen the isolation of the home provider.
- Registered homes may qualify for participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) for reimbursement for meals and snacks.
Quality Rating System
As a Child Care Home (CCH) accepting Child Care Assistance (CCA), you are ineligible to participate in this system. However, consider becoming a Child Development Home (CDH) to participate!
Iowa's Quality Rating System (QRS) is a voluntary child care rating system for Child Development Homes (CDH). The Quality Rating System (QRS) was developed to raise the quality of child care in Iowa, raise the number of children in high-quality child care settings and to educate parents about quality in child care. To learn more about becoming a QRS-rated provider, click here.
Communities of Practice
Join facilitated discussions driven by YOU! CCR&R is committed to improving communication with child care providers across Iowa. It is through the sharing of information and experiences that participants can learn from each other and have an opportunity to develop themselves personally and professionally.
Communities of Practice, also known as “CoPs”, are groups of people who share a passion for something they do and want to learn how to do it better as they interact. CoPs allow attendees to learn and collaborate as content is driven by the participants.
View our statewide event calendar here!
Other Program Referrals
- Child Care Nurse Consultant - CCNC
- Child and Adult Care Food Program - CACFP
- Area Education Agency - AEA
- Teacher Education and Compensation Helps - TEACH
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - FAQ for child care programs
- US Department of Justice, ADA - FAQ for child care programs
Helpful Links
For a list of resources that you might find helpful, click here.
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