Provider Application Process

Provider Types

   

There are three types of child care providers that you may apply to be: 

  

A child development home is a person or program registered under Iowa Code 237A.3A that may provide child care to six or more children at any one time. A person may choose to register when serving less children, however this is not required.

 

A nonregistered child care home is a person or program providing child care to five or fewer children at any one time that is not registered to provide child care.

 

A nonregistered In-Home provider is when the nonregistered provider goes to the children's home to provide care.  There must be at least three CCA eligible children needing child care to be approved as this type of provider.

 

A brief overview of these provider types (except In-Home) can be found at this link:  https://ccmis.dhs.state.ia.us/ProviderPortal/ChildCareRequirements.aspx

 

Information About Becoming a Registered Child Development Home

     

The Iowa Department of Human Services has delegated authority in Iowa Code 237A to develop and enforce the rules setting minimum standards for registration of child development homes and also requires these programs to comply with health and safety laws.  Child Development Home Requirements may be found at 441 Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 110. Be aware that local building codes or zoning laws may apply. Please contact your city officials for additional information.

 

Chapter 110 rules can be found at this link: https://ccmis.dhs.state.ia.us/ProviderPortal/DocumentsandForms.aspx

 

A registered child development home is required to pass a pre-inspection before being approved. You may see pre-inspection requirements located here. https://dhs.iowa.gov/licensure-and-registration/registered-home/pre-inspection

   

Information About Getting Paid as a Nonregistered Child Care Home

 

The Iowa Department of Human Services has delegated authority in Iowa Code 237A to develop and enforce rules setting minimum standards for nonregistered child care homes and also requires these programs to comply with health and safety laws. Child Care Home Requirements may be found at 441 Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 120.

 

Chapter 120 rules can be found at this link: https://ccmis.dhs.state.ia.us/ProviderPortal/DocumentsandForms.aspx

 

Information About Getting Paid as a Nonregistered In-Home Provider

 

If you wish to provide child care in the home of the three or more children you will be caring for, you should contact DHS after you have submitted your nonregistered In-Home application.

 

NEXT STEPS
Steps in the Process
The first step is deciding which provider type you wish to be.  
 

If you are a NEW child care provider applicant, were previously registered but are not currently, or have not received a Notice of Decision for a registration from DHS for more than 60 days, your completed application will be sent to your local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency where someone will be in contact with you to assist you with the application process and prepare you for a pre-inspection by the Department of Human Services.

 

Once your application has been submitted, it will be processed according to the flowchart found at the link to the right.

 		Application Process Flowchart
     
If you are ready to apply, click the "APPLY" button below to fill out an application.
 
You will be asked to log in to the Provider Portal to create your application.  If you don't have an Account ID and Password yet, click the "Create an Account" link at the top of the login screen to get an account set up.
 
Once you sign in to the Provider Portal, you will be directed to the My Applications page.  You should click the "NEW" button and then select either "Registered Child Care Provider" if you wish to apply to be a registered child development home, or "Non-registered Child Care Provider" if you wish to apply to be a nonregistered child care home or a nonregistered In-home provider.
Who will handle my new child care application?
 

CHILD CARE RESOURCE AND REFERRAL (CCR&R) AGENCY

 

Under the following conditions, your new application will be routed to your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) Agency.  One of their consultants will be in contact with you to assist in the application process as well as to assist Registered Child Development Home applicants to prepare for a pre-inspection by the Department of Human Services:

 

*     If this is the first application you have submitted to be a child care provider, OR

*     If you were previously an approved child care provider with the State of Iowa but are not currently approved and haven’t been for 60 days or more, OR

*     If you have not received a denial Notice of Decision from DHS in the past 60 days regarding a previous child care application.

 

CENTRALIZED CHILD CARE UNIT (DHS)

 

If you HAVE received a Notice of Decision from DHS in the last 60 days that states you have been closed as a child care provider or denied as a child care provider, your new application will be handled by the Centralized Child Care Unit immediately rather than being referred to Child Care Resource and Referral.

If you have questions about your application or the application process after you have submitted your application to DHS, you can click the "CCR & R" button below to contact the local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency or the "Contact DHS" button to contact the DHS Child Care Unit.
     
Frequently Asked Questions About CCA
    
Click the "CCA FAQ" link to the right for answers to frequently asked questions about the CCA program. 		CCA FAQ