Provider Services: Child Care Provider
Have you ever had questions about becoming a child care provider?Our Child Care Home Consultant offers one-on-one assistance to child care providers requesting state registration information; assistance in selecting the registration category that's right for you, setting up your business with necessary tools and equipment to meet registration guidelines as well as develop a commitment to quality child care. Child care home consultants are available to provide on-going assistance and support through personal visits.
Do you need help arranging your child care environment?
Contact our PITC specialist. Find out more about PITC:
Do you need help with Health and safety Issues?
The Healthy Child Care America Campaign initiated in 1995 was based on the principle that partnerships between families, child care providers, and health providers could impact the health of children in our nations. Through CCR&R, registered nurses provide educational sessions, clarify health and safety policies, and serve as a resource link for the child and family. Child Care Health Consultants will work with early care and education professionals by offering advise on:
- Illness prevention
- Care plans for children with health issues
- Indoor and outdoor play safety
- Health and safety policies
- Nutrition and oral health
- Behavior and mental health
- Inclusive child care
- Health management education
Do you need training credit hours for your registration?
CCR&R offers training designed to help early childhood professionals meet licensing and registration requirements and become more successful in developing skills for working with children and families. In-service training is required by the Iowa Department of Human Services as minimum training requirements for persons employed in child development homes and centers. View the DHS Training Requirements. CCR&R maintains a web-based calendar of regional professional development opportunities. Please visit training opportunities for more information.
Are you operating legally as a non-registered provider?
No child should be cared for by a person who is operating in violation of local child care law. This is a simple goal that all family child care providers, parents, and organizations in the child care field should support. Illegal child care is care that is offered by someone in violation of state law. (Tom Copeland, April 200, A Plan to Eliminate Illegal Child Care) Iowa law states, "A non-registered child care home may care for up to 5 children. Included in those 5 children are the providers own children." To discover the benefits fo child care home registration, contact your CCR&R Local Child Care Home Consultant.
Do you have adequate insurance coverage for your child care business?
Given the potential for child-related claims being brought forth many years after an incident takes place, how much could the potential lawsuit of the future be? How much insurance should we buy today for the claims of tomorrow? As much as is available. "As of this writing the highest limit available for any one occurrence (event) is one million dollars. This is what needs to be purchased assuming the provider can afford to purchase this limit. If not, then the most they can afford to purchase becomes the answer." (Jeff Wyatt, September 2001, Just What is Adequate LIabiltiy Coverage?) To discuss your insurance coverage and needs further, contact your CCR&R Local Child Care Home Consultant.
In-Home Child Care Registration:
Persons who care for children in their home must register with the Iowa Department of Human Services if they care for more than 5 children, including their own. To be registered, you must be 18 years of age, pass a child abuse registry check and criminal records check, agree to meet sanitary and safety standards, provide a program and equipment that is appropriate for the ages of children being cared for, maintain records on each child, and obtain minimum training requirements. Regulations for Child Development Homes.
Center-based Child Care:
Preschool/Early Learning Centers/ Before & After School Programs not affiliated with the Department of Education:
A center caring for children whose parents are not on-site must be licensed by the Iowa Department of Human Services and comply with requirements for personnel, staff ratio, child records, health & safety policies, activity programs, discipline policies, building standards, and food services, as well as requirements set by the State Fire Marshall. Programs must be designed to be appropriate for the ages of children cared for. Contact information for Child Care Centers
Helpful Links:
Redleaf Press Institute
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)
National Child Care Information Center (NCCIC)
IA Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (IA CCR&R)
National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA)