Child care quality rating systems have been used in Iowa since 2006. Iowa's Quality Rating System (QRS) was the original voluntary rating system child care programs could participate in. QRS was updated in 2010, and in April of 2022, Iowa rolled out the state's current voluntary quality rating and improvement system, Iowa Quality for Kids (IQ4K®).
IQ4K®- Iowa Quality for Kids
Iowa Quality for Kids (IQ4K®) is Iowa’s voluntary Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) for the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) licensed Child Care Centers and preschools, registered Child Development Homes and programs operating under an accredited school district or nonpublic school. IQ4K® uses evidence-based practices with proven outcomes for children. Programs assess and enhance their quality through Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI). IQ4K® has five levels of quality improvement. Quality ratings are available for the public to see and use as a resource when choosing child care. Participation in IQ4K® not only improves quality, but also gives programs the opportunity to earn bonuses for future growth opportunities.
IQ4K - Iowa CCR&R (iowaccrr.org)
Search a listing of all licensed child care centers and homes to view their annual compliance evaluations and any complaint reports that have been filed.
If you have concerns regarding a specific child care provider or child care business that is not meeting Iowa regulations, please contact the Iowa Child Care Complaint Hotline.
If you suspect a child under the age of 18 is being abused or neglected