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Child Care Newsletter
Can I smoke at my home?
Iowa Department
of Human Services
June 1, 2015
Kids in Cars
Summer is upon us! Please keep
children safe in vehicles.
According to Safercar.gov, in 2013, 44
children died of heatstroke in the U.S. and
children are at a higher risk than adults
from dying from heatstroke in a hot
vehicle. A child’s temperature rises 3-5
times faster than that of an adult.
Top Tips from Safekids.org
Reduce the number of deaths from
heatstroke by remembering to ACT.
A: Avoid heatstroke-related injury and
death by never leaving your child alone in
a car, not even for a minute. And make
sure to keep your car locked when you’re
not in it so kids don’t get in on their own.
C: Create reminders by putting something
in the back of your car next to your child
such as a briefcase, a purse or a cell
phone that is needed at your final
destination. This is especially important if
you’re not following your normal routine.
T: Take action. If you see a child alone in
a car, call 911. Emergency personnel
want you to call. They are trained to
respond to these situations. One call
could save a life.
Volume 1, Issue 5
CCDF Reauthorization
In November 2014, President Obama signed the Child Care and
Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act of 2014 into law. This
reauthorizes the federal law that states must follow to receive
funds for our child care programs. The federal law had not been
updated since 1996 and makes significant advancements to:
 support the safety of children;
 establish policies for the state’s Child Care Assistance
program that are more family-friendly; and
 ensure parents and the public have more accessible and
clear information about the child care choices available
to them
You are likely wondering how this affects you, as a child care
provider. We, as a state, are in the early stages of
understanding the many requirements of the new law and will be
providing more information directly to you in the months
ahead. The changes take place over the next 3 years, with the
majority of the changes not occurring until October 2016.
Examples of the new requirements that the state has to
implement include: having rules that address ten key health and
safety standards; having new providers attend training on the
health and safety standards; expanding the background checks
the state currently conducts to include additional federal checks;
and assuring that the staff who monitor your home or center
have training on the requirements you must meet.
All of the details to implement the new requirements have not
been decided. We are committed to ensuring that you, as
providers, have ample opportunity to provide input to us, review
recommendations as they are developed, and provide us
feedback on ways we can best implement the law and support
you as a provider in meeting the new requirements.
We will use this newsletter, among many other communication
strategies, to keep you informed as this work continues. The key
to our success will be dependent, in large part, on the child care
providers who serve our youngest children and families.
Please see the below link for more information
www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/occ/ccdf-reauthorization
June 1, 2015
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UPDATE TO RULES AND REGULATIONS

ChildNet
In early 2015, I took the opportunity to
participate in ChildNet training and think
it is a wonderful training and a great
opportunity to improve your child care
program and increase your chances of
success with your child care business.
While participating in this training, I also
got to meet some amazing local child
care providers that seem to really care
about children and quality care!
ChildNet is a 25-hour training designed
specifically for child care home
providers and it meets DHS training
requirements for 2 years. ChildNet
training and subsequent certification
also moves you towards eligibility in
becoming a Level 2 QRS Provider!
There are 10, 2.5 hour modules in the
ChildNet series which covers topics that
include ethical business practices,
appropriate activities, routines and
guidance, nutrition, health and safety,
and effective communication.




POOL OWNERS!!!!!


To find more information, see
http://www.iowaccrr.org/providers/childnet/

Or to sign up, go to the training registry
at

https://ccmis.dhs.state.ia.us/trainingregistry/

June 1, 2015
If you administer medications, please be aware that you
must record all medications administered to a child. This
information must include the name of the medication, the
date and time of administration, and the amount given.
Example form available here:
http://www.idph.state.ia.us/hcci/common/pdf/medicine_rep
ort_form.pdf
First Aid Kits must include, at a MINIMUM, adhesive
bandages, antiseptic cleaning materials, disposable
tweezers, and disposable plastic gloves.
Combustible materials must be kept a MINIMUM of 3 feet
away from furnaces, stoves, water heaters, and gas dryers.
Within 10 days, you must report the following to the
Department: changes in assistants/substitutes, changes in
household membership, address changes, and criminal
convictions.
Please note that if you are a Category C child care provider
or wish to change your registration status, you may not
have more than TWO names providers on a registration
certificate.
A wading pool shall be drained DAILY and inaccessible to
children when not in use
An above ground or in ground swimming pool that is NOT
fenced MUST be covered when not in use. This cover
shall meet or exceed ASTM specifications intended to
reduce the risk of drowning by inhibiting access to the
water by children under the age of 5.
An uncovered above-ground pool must be enclosed with
an approved fence that is ATLEAST FOUR feet high and
non-climbable
An uncovered in-ground pool shall also be enclosed with a
fence that is ATLEAST FOUR feet high and flush with the
ground.
If children are allowed to use the pool, get written
permission from parents, have rescue equipment readily
accessible, provide constant supervision while the pool is
in use AND be assured your CPR certification is
CURRENT!
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June 1, 2015
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