§ 237A.2 — Licensing of child care centers

Iowa § 237A.2

• Jurisdiction: Iowa
• Title VI: HUMAN SERVICES
• Ch. 237A: CHILD CARE FACILITIES

Text

1. A person shall not establish or operate a child care center without obtaining a license
under the provisions of this chapter. A center may operate for a specified period of time,
to be established by rule of the department, if application for a license has been made. If
the department denies an application for an initial license, notwithstanding section 17A.18,
the applicant center shall not continue to provide child care pending the outcome of an
evidentiary hearing. The department shall issue a license if it determines that all of the
following conditions have been met:
a. An application for a license or a renewal has been filed with the department on forms
provided by the department.
b. The center is maintained to comply with state health and fire laws.
c. The center is maintained to comply with rules adopted under section 237A.12.
2. a. A person denied a license under this section shall receive written notice of the denial
stating the reasons for denial and shall be provided with an opportunity for an evidentiary
hearing.
b. A license issued under this chapter shall be valid for twenty-four months from the date
of issuance. A license shall remain valid unless it is revoked or suspended in accordance
with the provisions of section 237A.8 or is reduced to a provisional license under subsection
3. The department may inspect a licensed center at any time. A record of the license shall be
kept by the department.
c. The license shall be posted in a conspicuous place in the center and shall state the
particular premises in which child care may be offered and the number of individuals who
may be received for care at any one time. A greater number of children than is authorized by
the license shall not be kept in the center at any one time.
3. The department may reduce a previously issued license to a provisional license or issue
a provisional license for a period of time not to exceed one year if the center does not meet
standards required under this section. A provisional license shall not be renewable in regard
to the same standards for more than two consecutive years. A provisional license shall be
posted in a conspicuous place in the center as provided in this section. If written plans to
bring the center up to standards, giving specific dates for completion of work, are submitted
§237A.2, CHILD CARE FACILITIES 4
to and approved by the department, the provisional license shall be renewable as provided in
this subsection.
4. A program which is not a child care center by reason of the exceptions to the definition
of child care in section 237A.1, subsection 2, but which provides care, supervision, and
guidance to a child may be issued a license if the program complies with all the provisions
of this chapter.
5. If the department has denied or revoked a license because the applicant or person has
continually or repeatedly failed to operate a licensed center in compliance with this chapter
and rules adopted pursuant to this chapter, the person shall not own or operate a child
care center for a period of twelve months from the date the license is denied or revoked.
The department shall not act on an application for a license submitted by the applicant
or person during the twelve-month period. The applicant or person shall be prohibited
from involvement with child care unless the involvement is specifically permitted by the
department.

Legislative History

[C75, §237A.2, 237A.3; C77, 79, 81, §237A.2]