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 information.) Effective October 1, 2016, DHS will monitor annually.
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!
A Child Care Home (CCH) accepting Child Care Assistance (CCA) provider:
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 Community Development Specialist in your area.
Regulation guidelines from the Department of Human Services (DHS), which explains the minimum requirements for Child Care Homes (CCH) accepting Child Care Assistance (CCA) in Iowa.
Regulation Guidelines from Department of Human Services (DHS):
Child Care Assistance - Forms and information
Department of Human Services (DHS) - Child Care Provider Portal
Emergency Preparedness - Resources to help write plans and procedures
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.
Contact a CCR&R Community Development Specialist to start your early childhood career.
Are You Ready to Start a Child Care Business?
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.
ID# 470-2890
ID# 470-5385
PDF »
Spanish »
English »
ID# 470-3871
View »
ID# 470-5153
ID# 470-3301 (required for all household members age 14 and older)
Fillable »
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.
Required information from DHS checklist, 120.9(237A.12).
Packet of required information to be kept in the children’s file for each child enrolled.
Go to Form
Required information from DHS checklist, 120.8(1).
To be completed with a copy to the parent and child's health record.
Checklist to assist CCHA providers in reviewing Children's Files.
Required information for DHS checklist, 120.9(237A.12).
Written permission from the parents for their child to attend activities away from the child care home.
English Spanish fillable
Authorization/permission for medical care during parental absence.
Required information for DHS checklist, 120.8(1).
List of emergency numbers for parents, doctors and school.
Required information for DHS checklist, 120.8(4).
Fire and tornado drills are practiced monthly and documentation kept on file for the current year and previous year.
Information should be readily accessible.
This link will take you to the Emergency Preparedness page. Required information for DHS Checklist, 120.8(4).
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.
Go to Emergency Preparedness Webpage
Required information for DHS Checklist, 120.8(4).
Information should be readily accessible for equipment checks of smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguisher and evacuation equipment.
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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Infant, Toddler, Preschool Age
Required information for DHS checklist, 120.9(237A.12)
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.
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.
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.
Go to Website
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
Form parents complete if they refuse to immunize their children because of religion or doctor recommendation.
Medical Form
Religious Form
Suggested poster by Child Care Nurse Consultants for Health & Safety Assessment.
Designed for Child Development Homes to post for notifying parents that they operate a mandatory child abuse reporting site.
English Spanish
Required information for DHS checklist, 120.8(3).
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.
This link will take you to the Emergency Preparedness page. Required information for DHS checklist, 120.8(4).
Form to document when provider has practiced monthly fire/tornado drills and changed batteries in smoke alarms.
Required information for DHS checklist, 120.10(237A.12).
Form to document training requirements prior to registration and tracking of required professional development hours for each registration period.
Required information for DHS checklist, 120.8(5).
Safe Sleep procedures for providers and parents.
English » Spanish » Burmese » Swahili »
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.
A direct link to the Iowa Department of Health Smoke-Free Air Act information including a link to print signs.
Website 4x6 Sign
Chart will help plan for safe daily outdoor time.
Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) requires additional training during each licensing period.
i-PoWeR Professional Workforce Registry
Professional Development Record (Spanish) (Word) - Assists individuals in their professional development plan
Minimum required training for registration:
CCR&R Professional Development Opportunities
Child Care Ready
Child Development Associate (CDA) CredentialTM
DHS Approved Professional Development Opportunities
Iowa Early Learning Standards
Opportunities for Connection!
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)
Sign-up for DHS/CCR&R Emails - Stay connected and register to receive correspondence from DHS & CCR&R
Sign-up for DHS/CCR&R Text Updates - Stay connected and register to receive correspondence from DHS & CCR&R
Update Your File - Update your file and program surveys
Links to resources that child care businesses might find helpful.
Americans with Disabilities Act - ADA - FAQ for Child Care Programs
Area Education Agency - AEA
Child and Adult Care Food Program - CACFP - Child Care Homes (CCH) accepting Child Care Assistance (CCA) are eligible for this service
Child Care Nurse Consultant - CCNC
Family Child Care Resource - Child Care Aware of America
NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment
Teacher Education and Compensation Helps - T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® IOWA
Resource Page - links to additional services
Benefits of registration as a Child Development Home (CDH) provider include: