Iowa allows an unregistered "child care home" to care for five or fewer children (or six or fewer if one is school-aged). A "child development home" providing care to seven or more children must register with Iowa HHS under 441 IAC 110. Polk County zoning treats it as a Day
Under 441 IAC 110.1, a "child care home" is a program "not registered" that cares for "1. Five or fewer children. 2. Six or fewer children, if at least one of the children is school-aged." A "child development home" is "a person or program registered under this chapter that may provide child care to seven or more children at any one time." Registration requires a compliance visit for health, safety and fire standards, with at least annual unannounced visits. Polk County's Zoning Ordinance separately defines a "Day Care Facility" as "A place that provides for the care of children or adults" who do not reside there and are present primarily daytime.
Caring for seven or more children without HHS registration violates 441 IAC 110 and Iowa Code 237A; registration can be denied or revoked for safety hazards or record-check findings.
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