State Regulated
Maximum Capacity 5*  8*  12*  16*  8*  * Varies by licensing 
Inspection visit prior to registration/licensing  
Annual monitoring - facility & records inspection
Minimum age of caregiver 18 years  18 years  20 years  21 years  21 years  Director - 21 years 
Iowa child abuse registry check
Iowa criminal records check
National (FBI) fingerprint-based record check
Experience required     2 years or 1 year with a child related degree  5 years or 4 years with a child related degree  5 years or 4 years with a child related degree  A combination of experience & education 
Minimum Education required     High school diploma or GED  High school diploma or GED  High school diploma or GED  Director/On-site supervisor - High school diploma or GED 
Minimum pre-service & orientation trainings
Annual professional development trainings 3 hours  12 hours  12 hours  12 hours  12 hours  10 hours 
CPR and First Aid certification
Mandatory reporter training
Emergency preparedness & response planning
Non-smoking environment
Fire extinguisher & smoke detectors
Two (2) direct exits    
Space requirements    
Quiet area for sick children    
Reference Letters   Provide three (3) letters         
   
A home provider's own preschool children ARE included in their legal capacity. Their school-age children are not unless they are being home-schooled.
Child Development Home A: Limit of 6 preschool children with a maximum of 4 aged 24 months or younger. Of these no more than 3 can be 18 months of age or younger. They can also care for 2 school-agers for less than 2 hours at a time.
Child Development Home B: Limit of 6 preschool children with a maximum of 4 children aged 24 months or younger. Of these no more than 3 can be 18 months of age or younger. They can care for 4 school-agers (which can be full-time when school is not in session.) 2 additional part-time preschool or school-age children can be in care for a total of no more than 180 hours per month. When there are more than 8 children are present for more than 2 hours, an assistant 14 years or older needs to be present.
Child Development Home C (2 providers): Limit of 12 preschool children with a maximum of 4 aged 24 months or younger. They can care for 2 school-agers for less than 2 hours at a time. 2 additional part-time preschool or school-age children can be in care for a total of no more than 180 hours per month. Whenever there are more than 8 children or if 4 children 18 months of age or younger are present , the business co-provider needs to be present.
Child Development Home C (1 provider): Limit of 8 children with a maximum of 4 aged 24 months or younger. Of these no more than 3 can be 18 months of age or younger.
Center and preschool staff to children ratios: babies up to 23 months 1:4; 2 year olds 1:6; 3 year olds 1:8; 4 year olds 1:12; 5 year olds and older 1:15.
Record checks are required for household members age 14 and older .
Child abuse registry checks are required for household members age 14 and older .


If you have concerns about any child caregiver, contact your county Department of Human Services.