How to research child care in Iowa: Here are types of day cares, tips for selecting one

Jason Clayworth
Des Moines Register

Types of child care in Iowa

Iowa has three types of child care: licensed centers, registered child development home providers, and child care home providers that are not registered.

Licensed centers: These are businesses that typically care for dozens of children. There are about 1,500 of them in Iowa. The state requires staff ratios based on children's ages, such as one staffer for four babies up to 23 months; one staffer for six 2-year-olds; and so on, up to one staffer for 15 children ages 5 and older.

Child development homes: About 2,800 people provide regulated child care in their homes. Any person providing child care in their home can apply to be registered. Those serving more than five children are required to register. If a provider cares for six or more children, various limits apply on the ages of children involved. For example, no individual in-home provider can care for more than four children under the age of 24 months. The department seeks to visit all child development homes at least once per fiscal year. 

Child care homes: People who provide child care in their own homes and who care for five or fewer children are not required to be registered but have the option to do so.  

Register investigation: Iowa day care dangers

Tips for selecting a day care

Parents and guardians are encouraged to select child care providers regulated by state license or registration, which helps assure they follow state and national rules for safe care.

Verifying whether a child care provider is registered can be done online. State inspections, complaints and founded violations at regulated facilities are published online, but complaints about unregulated day cares are not.

Most states have a free customized child care referral service. Iowa Child Care Resource & Referral can be found online at www.IowaCCRR.org or by calling 855-244-5301.

Subscriber exclusive:Iowa's regulation of in-home day cares is light; caseloads of inspectors heavy

Parents are encouraged to visit numerous child care providers, meet all staff who would work with their child and spend at least an hour to witness different activities before making a selection. Questions parents should ask depend upon the age of a child and the type of facility they are considering. But here are some key questions, guidelines or advice:

  • Ask how many children there are for each adult and determine the ratio for the group in which your child would be placed.
  • Review the training and education of caregivers.
  • Determine how long the provider has been working in the program.
  • Ask whether the provider follows recommended “safe sleep” practices.
  • Search an online database to view DHS inspection and visit reports to Iowa's 4,300 licensed or registered child care operators.
  • Check if the provider participates in the Iowa Quality Rating System. The voluntary program provides a rating of up to five stars for centers and homes “who go the extra mile to offer exceptional child care.”

Once a selection is made, try to begin by leaving the child with the provider for short periods of time and involve the child care provider in decisions about the “easing in” period. Meet regularly with the provider and ask questions. Visit often, including unannounced visits.

More:Safety information about Iowa day cares isn't always available, even if a child dies. What parents need to know.

Dozens of additional questions and suggestions are published online by Child Care Aware of America, a national advocacy network that provides on-site consultation for child care facilities in dozens of states.

Sources: Child Care Aware of America, Iowa Department of Human Services