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 Health and Human Services (HHS) 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 information.) HHS will monitor annually.

 

CCR&R Services


CCR&R provides training and support to child care businesses 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!

Resources

A Child Care Home (CCH) accepting Child Care Assistance (CCA) provider:

  • Is registered with Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
  • Has a signed Child Care Assistance (CCA) Provider Agreement with Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
  • Is sometimes referred to as a registered Child Care Assistance (CCA) home provider
  • Must implement Comm 95
  • Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will complete annual inspections

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:

  • Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
  • Challenging Behaviors
  • Curriculum & Assessment
  • Developmentally Appropriate Practices
  • Grants
  • HHS Regulations
  • Health
  • Iowa Quality for Kids (IQ4K®) Quality Rating and Improvement System
  • Marketing
  • Policies
  • Quality Rating & Improvement Systems
  • Room Arrangement
  • Safety
  • Training
  • Working with Families

Contact a CCR&R Community Development Specialist in your area.

Child Care Regulations


Regulation guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which explains the minimum requirements for Child Care Homes (CCH) accepting Child Care Assistance (CCA) in Iowa.

Resources

Regulation Guidelines from Department of Health and Human Services (HHS):

  • 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)

 Child Care Assistance - Forms and information

 Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) - Child Care Provider Portal

 Emergency Preparedness -  Resources to help write plans and procedures

 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 Health and Human Services (HHS) child abuse website

 866-448-4605 - Please call the Iowa Child Care Complaint Hotline if you have concerns regarding a child care provider

 HHS Child Care Reports - Showing the history of complaints and compliance reports

Regulations are the program's responsibility.  Please check with your local city zoning and county regulations for requirements.

Getting Started


Contact a CCR&R Community Development Specialist to start your early childhood career.

Resources

 Data resources - Assess child care needs in your county

 Business Plan Checklist

 Financial Management Toolkits

 Estimated Start-up Costs - (Spanish, Burmese, Swahili)

 Application Process for Home Child Care

 Provider Self-Assessment for Child Care Home with CCA Agreement

 Child Care Assistance - Forms and Information

 Child Care Ready - Professional development series for individuals seeking a career in early childhood care

To review quality initiatives and credentialing opportunities, visit the Support Your Future section below.

Tools for Registration - Guidelines and Procedures

Required Forms - HHS

Payment Application for Nonregistered Providers

ID# 470-2890

Spanish » English » Fillable »

Health, Safety and Fire Standards Checklist for CCHA

ID# 470-5385

PDF »

Spanish »

English »

Child Care Assistance Provider Agreement

ID# 470-3871

Spanish » English »

Pet Health Exam

ID# 470-5153

View »

Authorization for Release of Child and Dependent Adult Abuse Information

ID# 470-3301 (required for all household members age 14 and older)

Spanish »

English »

Child Abuse 

HHS Report of Suspected Child Abuse - ID# 470-0665

View »

Child Care Expense Statement for Foster Children

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.

Child Care Expense Statement » How-To Guide » Direct Billing for Foster Children »

Suggested Forms - CCR&R

Training


Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) requires additional training during each licensing period.

Resources

Support Your Future


Opportunities for Connection!

Resources

  Business Technical Assistance for Child Development Homes - featuring CCR&R, First Children's Finance and Child Care Collaborative of Iowa

  Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™ - Nationally recognized credential for early care and education

  ChildNet 3.0 - Series training for home child care programs

  Iowa Quality for Kids IQ4K® - Iowa’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS)

  Update Your File - Update your file and program surveys

Resources and Program Referrals


Links to resources that child care businesses might find helpful.

Resources

Benefits of Registration

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 and your commitment to keeping children safe in your care.
  • Eligibility for consultation from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in all aspects of child care.
  • Being listed with the Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agency to help parents find available child care.
  • Being identified to community resources, such as extension services, Community Action programs, Head Start and Child Care Nurse Consultants and Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agencies. These and other agencies can provide services such as training, consultation, collaboration and resource development.
  • A path to qualifying for participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) for reimbursement for meals and snacks.
  • A path to participate in the Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), known in Iowa as Iowa Quality for Kids (IQ4K®).
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