Child Care

Department of Human Services
Provides an overview of the regulations DHS has regarding the licensing of child care providers.

Quality Rating System
Provides information on the Quality Rating System such as forms needed, frequently asked questions, and contact information for QRS regional specialists; as well as, the Environment Rating Scale training and assessment information.   

Healthy Child Care Iowa
A campaign to improve the health and safety of children while they are enrolled in child care and early education settings.

Healthy Kids Healthy Care
Provides information, resources and guidance regarding good health and safety practices important in all child care settings.

Healthy Child Care Consultant Network Support Center
Provides resources such as articles, publications and reports to Child Care Health Consultants that support the development and implementation of CCHC networks.

Iowa Child Care Resource & Referral
This site will help you find the registered and licensed child care settings in your community through a zip code search. 

National Network for Childcare
This is an Internet source of over 1000 publications and resources related to child care and it offers support and assistance from a variety of experts in the field of child care.

Child Care Aware
Offers information on how to locate quality child care and child care resources in a community and tips on what to look for in quality care.

National Child Care Information Center
Links parents, providers, policy-makers, researchers and the public to early child care and education information such as: finding quality child care, financial assistance, literacy, child development, children with disabilities, health & safety and school readiness.             

National Program for Playground Safety
Provides the latest educational and research information on playground safety and where to find safe playground equipment for you children. 

Iowa State University Extension Child Care
Offers education to child care professionals, parents, employers and communities to improve the quality of care for all children.

National Resource Center for Health & Safety in Child Care
Provides everything that child care providers, parents, regulators and nurse consultants need to know about health and safety in child care.

Program for Infant & Toddler Care
Focuses on providing quality care for infants and toddlers through increasing the number of trained and qualified care givers to develop relationships with infants, be aware of infant needs and provide a safe environment for infants to be in.

NAEYC Accreditation 
An accreditation system created by the National Association for the Education of Young Children to improve the quality of education and care provided in programs for young children.

Healthy Child Care America 
Provides early education and child care information to health care professionals, child care professionals, and families.

Publications

Iowa Family Child Care Handbook
Serves as an “everything you need to know” handbook for anyone interested or already serving as a child care provider. It covers a wide range of topics revolving around safety, nutrition, discipline, ages & stages, etc. 

A Parent’s Guide to Choosing Safe and Healthy Child Care
Offers a set of 13 guidelines to follow, with descriptions and examples under each guideline, to look for when choosing quality child care. 

Using NAEYC Standards to Find Quality Programs for Young Children
An introduction to NAEYC standards, which will help guide families in finding a program that will help children learn and grow.

Una Guía de Padres para Escojer un Cuidado de Niños Seguro y Saludable