About

Child Care is
an everyone issue.

It is up to everyone—parents, business leaders, educators, political representatives, and child care providers—to work together in finding solutions that alleviate the child care barrier. Iowa leaders continue to prioritize child care solutions for all communities. We have seen solutions ranging from:

Onsite Child Care builds by businesses
Business leaders partnering with child care providers to secure slots for their workforce
County-level Wage Enhancement Programs
Inter-generations Care
School District Partnerships and so many more!

With so many amazing solutions happening all across Iowa, our leaders often get asked the question, “where do I go to find these solutions and how do I access the resources to start my own child care solutions?”

This site is designed to help all Iowan’s ‘get on the road’ to sustainable child care solutions no matter where you are on your journey. The end destination is different for everyone so we wanted a way to make sure you have all the road trip essentials you need in one convenient place.

Child Care is a top priority for Iowa.

About the Iowa Road Map for Child Care Success

The Iowa Road Map for Child Care Success was created to empower those invested in increased, exceptional child care solutions to find the resources they need to make it happen in their communities.

How We Got Here

Iowa's child care landscape has undergone significant shifts in recent years, prompting statewide action and community-driven initiatives. Understanding this history is crucial to addressing current challenges and building a stronger future for Iowa's children and families.

Ongoing Data Analysis:

Iowa Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) plays a vital role in tracking child care trends. Their data sheets provide critical insights into the fluctuating availability of child care spaces across Iowa's counties, showcasing both gains and losses. Explore the latest data and trends: https://iowaccrr.org/data/.

This historical context underscores the urgency of addressing child care challenges in Iowa. By understanding the past, we can better equip individuals and organizations to drive positive change and ensure access to quality, affordable child care for all Iowa families.

2018: Community-Driven Solutions Begin:
The Iowa Women's Foundation launched its Child Care Solution tour, sparking local engagement and collaborative efforts. This initiative ignited action across the state, with numerous communities forming groups dedicated to addressing their unique child care needs.
2019-2024: Declining Child Care Programs:
Iowa experienced a concerning trend, losing 21% of its child care programs within this five-year period. This decline highlights the growing strain on the state's child care infrastructure.
2021: Governor's Child Care Task Force:
In response to the escalating challenges, Governor Kim Reynolds established the Child Care Task Force. Comprised of community leaders and experts from across Iowa, the task force was charged with developing actionable solutions within a 100-day timeframe. You can review the full report of the Governors task force here: IGOV_ChildcareTF_Report_112021.pdf.
2021:
Federal dollars are released for Child Care Stabilization Grants
2022: Business Incentive Grant and Child Care Stabilization Grants announced in Iowa:
All stabilization grants are awarded and funds are spent. Iowa awarded $218,929,611.00 in total.
2023:
Iowa increased Child Care Assistance family eligibility from 145% FPL to 160%. Iowa awarded $3 million for child care wage enhancement projects across nine communities.
2024- final round of Business incentive grants awarded
Enhancement Project funds are spent. The Wage Enhancement Pilot Program Final report was released.
Key findings included:
- Created 275 child care slots
- Engaged 105 child care providers
- Impacted over 1,200 child care personnel
- Raised $2.4 million from 373 private sector investors to sustain their local programs.
- 20 additional counties launching a local Wage Enhancement Program in 2025
2024:
Iowa Child Care Connect (C3) was released. This data warehouse provides near-real time child care search function.Iowa Child Care Connect
Ongoing Data Analysis:
Iowa Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) plays a vital role in tracking child care trends. Their data sheets provide critical insights into the fluctuating availability of child care spaces across Iowa's counties, showcasing both gains and losses. Explore the latest data and trends: https://iowaccrr.org/data/.

How we got here.

Iowa's child care landscape has undergone significant shifts in recent years, prompting statewide action and community-driven initiatives. Understanding this history is crucial to addressing current challenges and building a stronger future for Iowa's children and families.

Iowa Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) plays a vital role in tracking child care trends. Their data sheets provide critical insights into the fluctuating availability of child care spaces across Iowa's counties, showcasing both gains and losses. Explore the latest data and trends: https://iowaccrr.org/data/.

This historical context underscores the urgency of addressing child care challenges in Iowa. By understanding the past, we can better equip individuals and organizations to drive positive change and ensure access to quality, affordable child care for all Iowa families.

2018

Community-Driven Solutions Begin

The Iowa Women's Foundation launched its Child Care Solution tour, sparking local engagement and collaborative efforts. This initiative ignited action across the state, with numerous communities forming groups dedicated to addressing their unique child care needs.

2019-2024

Declining Child Care Programs

Iowa experienced a concerning trend, losing 21% of its child care programs within this five-year period. This decline highlights the growing strain on the state's child care infrastructure.

2021

Governor's Child Care Task Force

In response to the escalating challenges, Governor Kim Reynolds established the Child Care Task Force. Comprised of community leaders and experts from across Iowa, the task force was charged with developing actionable solutions within a 100-day timeframe. You can review the full report of the Governors task force here.

Task Force Report

2021

Federal dollars are released for Child Care Stabilization Grants

2022

Business Incentive Grant and Child Care Stabilization Grants announced in Iowa

All stabilization grants are awarded and funds are spent. Iowa awarded $218,929,611.00 in total.

2023

Iowa increased Child Care Assistance family eligibility from 145% FPL to 160%.

Iowa awarded $3 million for child care wage enhancement projects across nine communities.

2024

Final round of business incentive grants awarded.

Enhancement Project funds are spent. The Wage Enhancement Pilot Program Final report was released.

Key findings included:

Created 275 child care slots
Engaged 105 child care providers
Impacted over 1,200 child care personnel
Raised $2.4 million from 373 private sector investors to sustain their local programs.
Several communities are working on local child care solution
funds

2024

Iowa Child Care Connect (C3) was released. This data warehouse provides near-real time child care search function.

Iowa Child Care Connect

Where we're going.

Iowa recognizes that the future of our workforce hinges on accessible, affordable child care, a challenge impacting both workers and employers. In response, Iowa is actively building a stronger child care infrastructure through initiatives like implementing a centralized management system, expanding vital funding opportunities, and introducing innovative resources—like this very platform—to empower communities, businesses, and working families.

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About

Child Care is
an everyone issue.

Child Care is a top priority for Iowa.

About the Iowa Road Map for Child Care Success