5.1 Licensing Requirements

Each Lead Agency must ensure it has in effect licensing requirements applicable to all child care services provided within the State/Territory (not restricted to providers receiving CCDF funds). 5.1.1 Providers subject to licensing For each category of care listed below, identify the type of providers subject to licensing and describe the licensing requirements. a. Identify the center-based provider types subject to child care licensing: A licensed child care center is defined as a center that has been issued a full or provisional license. A facility providing care for seven or more children is required to have a child care license unless exempt under Iowa Code 237A.1 Licensed centers must meet requirements in the following areas which are outlined in Iowa Administrative Rules 441.109: adequate floor plan and fire marshal's report, preinspection, annual inspection, policies for fees, enrollment, field trips, discipline, nutrition, and health and safety policies. Developmentally appropriate curriculum, parent participation, personnel, professional growth and development, staff ratio requirements, Records, physical facility requirements, activity program requirements, food services, and if applicable: extended evening care and get well center Are there other categories of licensed, regulated, or registered center providers the Lead Agency does not categorize as license-exempt? [ ] Yes. If yes, describe: [x] No. b. Identify the family child care providers subject to licensing: Any person providing childcare in their own home can apply to be a registered child development home. Effective July 1, 2021, those serving more than 5 children plus one school ager (total 6) are required to register. Child Development Homes must apply every 2 years and are subject to pre- inspection and annual inspection. CDH's must meet requirements in the following areas outlined in Iowa Administrative Rules 441.110: number of children allowed in care, health and safety standards, activity program, parental access, discipline, meals, file maintenance for children and staff, and professional development Are there other categories of regulated or registered family child care providers the Lead Agency does not categorize as license-exempt? [ ] Yes. If yes, describe: [x] No. c. Identify the in-home providers subject to licensing: Iowa does not have in-home providers subject to licensing. Are there other categories of regulated or registered in-home providers the Lead Agency does not categorize as license-exempt? [ ] Yes. If yes, describe: [x] No. 5.1.2 CCDF-eligible providers exempt from licensing Identify the categories of CCDF-eligible providers who are exempt from licensing requirements, the types of exemptions, and describe how these exemptions do not endanger the health, safety, and development of children. -Relative providers, as defined in CCDF, are addressed in subsection 5.8. a. License-exempt center-based child care. Describe by answering the questions below. i. Identify the categories of CCDF-eligible center-based child care providers who are exempt from licensing requirements. Iowa does not have any license-exempt center-based programs that are eligible to receive CCDF. ii. Describe the exemptions based on length of day, threshold on the number of children in care, ages of children in care, or any other factors applicable to the exemption. N/A iii. Describe how the exemptions for these CCDF-eligible providers do not endanger the health, safety, and development of children. N/A b. License-exempt family child care. Describe by answering the questions below. i. Identify the categories of CCDF-eligible family child care providers who are exempt from licensing requirements. Iowa code allows Child Care Homes with six children or less, as long as one is a school-ager, to not be licensed or registered. Any Child Care Homes that receive CCDF funds are required to have background checks, preservice training, CPR training and first aid prior to approval of a provider agreement. Child Care Homes that receive CCDF funds are subject to annual inspection and required to follow minimum health, fire and safety standards. ii. Describe the exemptions based on length of day, threshold on the number of children in care, ages of children in care, or any other factors applicable to the exemption. License-exempt Child Care Homes are able to care for five children of any age plus one school-aged child for a total of 6. iii. Describe how the exemptions for these CCDF-eligible providers do not endanger the health, safety, and development of children. Programs have minimum health and safety standards reviewed during annual inspection and renewal of Child Care Assistance Provider Agreement. c. In-home care (care in the child’s own home by a non-relative). Describe by answering the questions below. i. Identify the categories of CCDF-eligible in-home care (care in the child’s own home by a non- relative) providers who are exempt from licensing requirements. Iowa allows in-home care if there are 3 or more children in one family that need care, however In-home providers are paid with state funds so do not receive CCDF funds. ii. Describe the exemptions based on length of day, threshold on the number of children in care, ages of children in care, or any other factors applicable to the exemption. N/A iii. Describe how the exemptions for these CCDF-eligible providers do not endanger the health, safety, and development of children. N/A