Child Care Nurse Consultants (CCNCs) are registered nurses with early childhood training and are experts in child health, child care, and child safety.  CCNC services are available statewide and are part of the Healthy Child Care Iowa program.  The CCNC program is evidence-based and helps ensure children have access to healthy and safe care. 

CCNCs work with Early Care and Education providers serving infants, toddlers,preschoolers, and school-aged children and their families.  CCNCs provide the following free services: 

  • On-site visits
  • Training
  • Technical assistance
  • Information and referrals
  • Care Planning for children with special health needs

ECE providers may call or email questions to their local CCNC about health and safety policies, health records, health resources, and specific child health or safety concerns

For more information on Healthy Child Care Iowa or to contact a Child Care Nurse Consultant (CCNC), visit the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services website here.

Eligibility


Who is eligible for CCNC Services?

Resources

CCNC services are for everybody!

  • Child Care Center (CCC)
  • Child Development Home (CDH)
  • Nonregistered Child Care Home accepting Child Care Assistance (CCHA)
  • Department of Education Preschool
  • Afterschool Program
  • Families
  • Public

CCNC's can assist with the following:

  • Health and Safety Checklist
  • Care planning for children with special health needs
  • Health and safety policies
  • Illness prevention and control
  • Child health records
  • Immunization information
  • Medication management
  • Social-emotional health
  • Playground safety
  • Injury prevention
  • Environmental safety
  • Nutrition and physical activity
  • Oral/dental health
  • Health education activities for children
  • And more!

Resource Materials


Healthy Child Care Iowa (HCCI) and Child Care Conslutants assist providers in offering quality child care to Iowa's children.

Resources

HCCI Materials Link - You can visit the Healthy Child Care Iowa website to download posters, brochures, and forms to print yourself or you can contact your local Child Care Nurse Consultant for copies. Some examples of the resources available from HCCI include:

  • Action Plans and Care Planning forms, training, and resources
  • Cleanning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting resources and posters
  • Disease Prevention resources, and posters
  • Health forms, training, and resources
  • Infant and Toddler Care forms, training, and resources
  • Medication Administration forms and training
  • Safety forms, training, and resources
  • Social Emotional Supports resources

Healthy Families Line


Call the Healthy Families Line for health-related questions

Resources

  800-369-2229 - free Healthy Families Line for families and child care providers for health-related questions or to be connected with one of Iowa's child care nurse consultants.

Child care providers are encouraged to inform families about the Healthy Families Line.

Families may use the Healthy Families Line for confidential health information and referral. 

Multiple language interpretation is available.