Like the other states of America, Iowa requires daycare centers to acquire a license before nursing children. Complying with the state’s licensing standards for day care center would allow daycare providers to get a license; thus having a licensed daycare center would guarantee the state, especially the parents to that the children’s over-all development are being prioritized.
To get a license for a daycare center, the provider should contact first a childcare consultant nearest in the area to request for an orientation packet. Next is to fill-up the Application for a License to Operate a Child Care Center. This form can be obtained from the state’s licensing office. Subsequently, the daycare provider and his or her staff must attain the work qualifications stated in the state standards licensing requirements.
Classes offered through the State
The most appropriate courses when you want to pursue a career in a daycare center are early childhood education, childhood development, or childcare management. Closely-related subjects such as elementary education and the like is likely accepted by the state of Iowa.
Subjects in the said courses include Day care operations, Child care finances, Communication with parents, Child safety, Activity planning, Child development, Child psychology, First aid and CPR, Ethics of child care, and Multicultural issues. For closely-related courses, they should earn the same credits of the aforementioned classes.
Moreover, daycare providers should also take up general education classes which include Mathematics, English, Writing, and Computer classes.
Certifications Given for Completed Classes
The most common certificates given to daycare providers and staff that have accomplished all the necessary coursework, credit hours, and working experience include the CDA, CCP, and NAC (which is intended for aspiring daycare directors). These certificates are very important as these are one of the requirements for qualifying as daycare provider and staff.
On the other hand, different states of America have their own certificates. But in the case of the state of Iowa, they may not have state certificates given to daycare providers and staff.
The CDA certificate or Child Development Associate is given to those who gained a high school diploma and has a total of 480 working hours, plus 120 hours of formal education in children in the last five years. The CCP credential is for those teachers who did not attain a college degree or who have taken a different course.
National Administrator Credential is intended for those aspiring daycare managers and directors. This credential deliberates on the management of the administration and organization, maintenance of the environment as well as the planning and development of programs.
First Aid or Cardiopulmonary-Resuscitations are also required for daycare centers in all states of America. In addition to this, the state requires daycare providers and staff to take up.
Cost of the Classes
Childcare degrees or courses are estimated to cost around $1,500 to $18,000 per year in the different universities and colleges in the state of Iowa. The cost differs as it depends on the type of school and the location as well. There are certain organizations such as TEACH or CARE that offers coursework that will allow you to get CDA and/or CCP certificates. The normal rate the coursework is $100 per credit hour. CPR training and Firs Aid is usually incorporated in their course work. You can contact the State Child Care Resource and Referral for inquiries and other important details.
Required Classes that Day Care Providers Should Take
The subjects that daycare providers or staff should take up are the classes that compose childcare courses.
To know more about the work qualifications for daycare providers and staff, the requirements are the following:
- Is at least 21 years of age.
- Has obtained a high school diploma or passed a general education development test.
- Has completed at least one course in business administration or 12 contact hours in administrative-related training related to personnel, supervision, record keeping, or budgeting or has one year of administrative-related experience.
- Has certification in infant, child, and adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, and Iowa’s training for the mandatory reporting of child abuse.
- Has achieved an over-all 100 points acquired with the incorporation of teaching, practice, and child development-related training as outlined in the following chart:
- To acquire a total of 100 points, at least two categories must be used, and should not exceed 75 points in any one category, and a minimum of 20 points shall be obtained from the experience category.
- Points obtained in the child development-related training category shall have been taken within the past five years.
- For directors in centers predominantly serving children with special needs, the directors may substitute a disabilities-related or nursing degree for the bachelor’s degree in early childhood, child development or elementary education in determining point totals. In addition, experience in working with children with special needs in an administrative or direct care capacity shall be equivalent to full-time experience in a child care center or preschool in determining point totals.
Links and Contact Information for Class Application
The state’s department which handles childcare can be contacted for more inquiries and if there are clarifications. You can also ask them for schedule orientation as this is usually offered in the evening. You can communicate with the following departments:
Child Care Licensing Agency
Mailing:
Iowa Department of Human Services
1305 East Walnut Street, 5th floor
Des Moines, IA 50319-0114
Phone: (515) 281-0429
Fax: (515) 242-6036
Professional Development Contact
Mailing:
Iowa Early Care & Education Professional Development
218 Sixth Avenue, Suite 710
Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: (515) 883-1206
State Child Care Resource & Referral Contact
Mailing:
Department of Human Services
1305 E. Walnut Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Toll Free: 800-972-2017
Phone: (515) 281-8746
Fax: (515) 281-8854
