Dorothy Labensohn
Family Life Extension Specialist
Human Development and Family Studies
Iowa State University
Harold Poore
Program Manager
Child Care Services
Iowa Department of Human Services
[This document contains some information that is specific to Iowa regulations. ]
Copyright/Access Information
Child care centers care for seven or more children in a facility other than a group care home.
The Iowa Department of Human Services is responsible for licensing all child care centers. Licenses are valid for one year
When you are looking for a child care center for your child, check the license, which should be posted. The license will tell you how many children may be cared for at any one time and if the center has a full or provisional license. A provisional license indicates that the center has
met all but one or a few of the licensing requirements and these are expected to be met during the provisional period.
While a license tells you that the facility has been inspected and meets basic licensing requirements you, the child's parent, must decide whether the program meets your child's particular needs. And, as you visit the facility, you may wish to check to see whether basic licensing requirements continue to be met and, if the license was provisional, what changes have been made.
In many communities, centers are listed in the yellow pages. Centers care for children of varying ages, with most caring for three to six year olds; some care for infants and toddlers as well, and some for school-agers. After you have found the possible centers, these suggestions may help you with your choice:
The following are questions you may want answers for to help you select and evaluate child care centers.
Staff numbers should be sufficient so that children are never left unattended, whether at nap, during outdoor play, or in the bathroom. Staff-child ratio requirements vary by state. The following ratios are recommended:
Infants (2 week to 2 years): 1 staff member for every 4 children
2 years: 1 staff member for every 6 children
3 years: 1 staff member for every 8 children
4 years: 1 staff member for every 12 children
5 to 10 years: 1 staff member for every 15 children
10 years and over: 1 staff member for every 20 children
A variety of quiet and active activities should be provided, geared to the age and developmental levels of the children. Both indoor and outdoor activities are desirable. There should also be a sufficient variety of play material and equipment available to stimulate children's imagination. All equipment should be safe and in good condition.
The center should provide a nap or quiet time for preschool age children who are at the center five or more hours. Most centers recognize the differing needs for children resting. While most children will nap, a few may rest quietly for a short period of time and may spend some quiet time with a book or other quiet activity while other children are napping.
Centers should to serve lunch and midmorning and midafternoon snacks. All meals and snacks should meet nutritional requirements, and menus should be posted one week in advance. This helps parents know what their children are eating. Staff should sit at tables with children during meal times. This helps to make meal time more family like.
The center should be maintained in a clean, sanitary, and safe manner. It should be well ventilated and properly lighted. The outdoor area should be fenced if close to busy streets, and the outdoor equipment should be safe and in good repair.
Every child enrolled should have a current immunization record and physical examination report on file at the center
The center should (1) maintain records of all medications given; (2) administer only prescription medications in the original bottle; and (3) keep all medications in locked cabinets or containers that are out of reach of children.
A center should have a telephone with emergency numbers posted. The center should post emergency plans for fire or tornado, and practice fire drills once a month and tornado drills once every three months.
The center should require that parents complete consent forms for emergency care and field trips and that they identify in writing who is authorized to pick up the children.
Parents and children can benefit from preparation. If this is your first separation from your child on a regular daily basis, it may be difficult for you. Talking to other parents in the same situation can be helpful. Talk to center staff members about their views of your child's adjustment, and talk to and observe your child. If problems arise, discuss them. Talk about the center before you visit, and spend some time with your child in the center. Talk about similarities to things you have done together, and provide a small familiar object for the child to bring. The transition to a new environment may be difficult for the child, so any advance preparation you can provide will be helpful. Special attention during the first few weeks will be especially important.
The cost of child care is a major concern for many parents, especially families with more than one child requiring care. There are some forms of financial assistance that may be able to help. Ask the center director if there is a sliding fee scale based on income, if there is a reduced fee for a second child if more than one child is in the program, or if reduced tuition is available in exchange for volunteer services.
Even if you do not qualify for other forms of financial assistance, you qualify for federal and state tax credit.
Child care centers are encouraged to welcome involvement of parents in their child's program and to urge parents to let staff know of their concerns. However, there may be situations in which you believe the center is not responding to your concerns and may not be meeting state licensing standards. If this occurs, contact your state social services department.
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