Section 441.118.4. Rating criteria for child development homes (sunsetting on July 31, 2011).

For applications submitted under subrule 118.2(1), to participate in the quality rating system, a child development home provider shall certify that the home meets the applicable criteria as defined in subrule 118.4(1).

       118.4(1) Criteria for each rating level.

        a.           To be rated at Level 1, the home must be a registered child development home.

        b.           To be rated at Level 2, the home must meet the following criteria in addition to meeting the criterion for Level 1:

       (1)             The provider completes and maintains ChildNet certification.

       (2)             The provider participates in the child and adult care food program (CACFP).

       (3)             The provider completes the Iowa department of public health’s Form HCCI-BPA2006, Child Care Business—Partnership Agreement.

       (4)             The provider completes the Iowa department of public health’s provider health and safety questionnaire, Form HCCI-HDOS2006, Home Child Care Center Director/Owner Survey.

       (5)             The provider completes Form 470-4231, Child Development Home Professional Development Self-Assessment.

       (6)             The provider completes Form 470-4236, Professional Development Plan.

        c.           To be rated at Level 3, the home must meet the following criteria in addition to meeting the criteria for Levels 1 and 2:

       (1)             The home must earn a minimum of seven points from the categories listed in subrules 118.4(2) through 118.4(5).

       (2)             The home must earn at least one point from each category.

        d.           To be rated at Level 4, the home must meet the following criteria in addition to meeting the criteria for Levels 1 and 2:

       (1)            The home must earn a minimum of 12 points from the categories listed in subrules 118.4(2) through 118.4(5).

       (2)             The home must earn at least one point from each category.

        e.           To be rated at Level 5, the home must meet the following criteria in addition to meeting the criteria for Levels 1 and 2:

       (1)            The home must earn a minimum of 16 points from the categories listed in subrules 118.4(2) through 118.4(5).

       (2)             The home must earn at least one point from each category.

       118.4(2) Professional development. A child development home may earn a maximum of six points in the professional development category. Points are awarded as follows:

        a.           Experience and training. A home may earn a maximum of two points for experience and training. Points are awarded as follows:

       (1)             One point is awarded if the provider has at least two years of experience working in a child care facility or a program operating under the authority of an accredited school district or nonpublic school and 10 hours of additional training per year beyond regulatory requirements.

       (2)             Two points are awarded if the provider has at least five years of experience working in a child care facility or a program operating under the authority of an accredited school district or nonpublic school and 20 hours of additional training per year beyond regulatory requirements.

        b.           Education. A home may earn a maximum of four points for education. Points are awarded as follows:

       (1)             Two points are awarded if the provider has completed an apprenticeship certificate, child development associate credential, or at least nine college credit hours in education specific to the age group for whom care is provided.

       (2)             Three points are awarded if the provider has completed an associate’s degree in education specific to the age group for whom care is provided.

       (3)             Four points are awarded if the provider has completed a bachelor’s degree or higher in education specific to the age group for whom care is provided.

       118.4(3) Health and safety. A child development home may earn a maximum of eight points in the health and safety category. Points are awarded as follows:

        a.           Injury prevention. A home may earn a maximum of three points for injury prevention. Points are awarded as follows:

       (1)             One point is awarded if the provider completes the Iowa department of public health’s Form HCCI-IP2006, Injury Prevention Summary Report, during a visit with a child care nurse consultant.

       (2)             Two points are awarded if the child care nurse consultant verifies that the provider has started the process of making recommended corrections.

       (3)             Three points are awarded if the child care nurse consultant verifies that the provider has completed all corrections.

        b.           Child record review. A home may earn a maximum of two points for child record review. Points are awarded as follows:

       (1)             One point is awarded if the provider completes the Iowa department of public health’s Form HCCI-CRR2006, Child Record Review, during a visit with a child care nurse consultant.

       (2)             Two points are awarded if the child care nurse consultant verifies that the provider has worked with the child care nurse consultant to refer families to health care providers.

        c.           Health and safety assessment. A home may earn a maximum of three points in the health and safety assessment category. Points are awarded as follows:

       (1)             One point is awarded if the provider completes the Iowa department of public health’s Form HCCI-HSA2006, Health and Safety Assessment, during a visit with the child care nurse consultant.

       (2)             Two points are awarded if the child care nurse consultant verifies that the provider has developed a plan of action to correct deficiencies.

       (3)             Three points are awarded if the child care nurse consultant verifies that the provider has completed all corrections.

       118.4(4) Environment. A child development home may earn a maximum of eight points in the environment category. Points are awarded as follows:

        a.           Environment rating scale training and self-assessment. A home may earn a maximum of three points for environment rating scale training and self-assessment. Points are awarded as follows:

       (1)             One point is awarded if the provider completes approved training on how to use the family day care rating scale to assess the child development home environment.

       (2)             One point is awarded if, after completing training on how to use the family day care rating scale, the provider completes a self-assessment using the family day care rating scale.

       (3)             One point is awarded if, after completing training on how to use the family day care rating scale, the provider completes Form 470-4232, Child Development Home Improvement Plan, based on the family day care rating scale self-assessment.

        b.           Environment rating scale. A home may earn a maximum of two points on the environment rating scale. An assessor approved by the department of human services or the department’s designee must perform the environment rating assessment. The provider must complete training on the family day care rating scale before requesting assessment. Points are awarded as follows:

       (1)             One point is awarded if the home receives an average score of 4 on a scale of 7, with no subscale scores lower than 2.

       (2)             Two points are awarded if the home receives an average score of 5 on a scale of 7, with no subscale scores lower than 2.

        c.           Accreditation. Three points are awarded if the home is accredited by the National Association for Family Child Care or another accrediting body approved by the department of human services.

       118.4(5) Family and community partnerships. A child development home may earn a maximum of two points in the family and community partnerships category. Points are awarded as follows:

        a.           One point is awarded if the provider is a member of a professional organization specific to the age group for whom care is provided.

        b.           One point is awarded if the provider offers an orientation for new parents and holds annual conferences with parents.

[ARC 9257B, IAB 12/1/10, effective 2/1/11]