Iowa childcare licensing is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. Facilities providing care for 7 or more children must be licensed. Iowa has no blanket group size limits — maximum enrollment is determined by usable floor space (35 square feet per child) and the local Fire Marshal assessment. On-site pets require an annual veterinary health certificate.
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (0–2 years) | 1:4 | — |
| 2 years | 1:7 | — |
| 3 years | 1:10 | — |
| 4 years | 1:12 | — |
| 5–10 years | 1:15 | — |
| 10+ years | 1:20 | — |
No blanket group size limits. Maximum enrollment determined by 35 square feet of usable floor space per child and Fire Marshal assessment.
Enrollment Form
Complete enrollment with child information and parent/guardian contacts.
Immunization Records
Current immunization records required on file per Iowa Department of Public Health schedule.
Medical/Health Assessment
Physician-signed health report required for enrollment.
Emergency Contact Information
Names and phone numbers of emergency contacts and authorized pickup persons.
Emergency Medical Authorization
Parental consent for emergency medical care.
Allergy and Dietary Information
Documentation of any food allergies or special dietary needs.
Medication AuthorizationConditional
Written parental authorization for any medication to be administered.
Exemption Policy
Medical and religious exemptions are permitted. Contact the Iowa Department of Public Health for current exemption procedures.
Minimum Age
18 years
Background Check
State and federal fingerprint-based criminal background check required for all staff prior to working with children.
Lead Teacher Education
Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or relevant ECE coursework. Contact Iowa HHS for specific requirements.
Assistant Education
High school diploma or GED required. Pre-service training required.
CPR / First Aid
Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification required. At least one certified staff member on-site at all times.
Continuing Education
Annual professional development training required. Contact Iowa HHS for current hour requirements.
Director Qualifications
Director qualification requirements set by Iowa HHS. Contact the licensing office for current standards.
Inspection Frequency
At least one unannounced inspection annually.
License Renewal
Annual license renewal required.
Application Process
Contact Iowa HHS to begin the application process. Includes background checks, facility inspection, and documentation review.
Licensing Fee
Varies by capacity. Contact Iowa HHS for current fee schedule.
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