Child Care

Child Care Room

Storm Lake Child Care Market Study 

View The Storm Lake Child Care Market Analysis Report Here


In 2022, The City of Storm Lake applied for, and was awarded, a $10,000 Iowa Economic Development Authority Rural Child Care Market Study grant. The Storm Lake City Council agreed unanimously to fund an additional $5,000 toward the study.  The IEDA grant program supports use of data and analysis by communities to determine specific needs and solutions for local child care.  The information is critical for organizations or providers interested in serving the community of Storm Lake. 

In 2023, First Children’s Finance was commissioned by City of Storm Lake to conduct this Child Care Market Analysis. This analysis provides relevant child care data, child care market analysis, and First Children’s Finance’s key findings of the child care market of Storm Lake, Iowa.

The data in this report has been collected from three original surveys developed by First Children’s Finance along with data provided by the US Census Bureau, US Department of Health and Human Services, Iowa Workforce Development, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, and Iowa Child Care Resource & Referral. This analysis is First Children’s Finance’s professional interpretation of the data available as of the date of this report. The information and analysis presented in this document are intended to provide a basis for sound business and community planning decisions. 

Storm Lake Strategic Plan for Child Care 

View The Storm Lake Strategic Plan for Child Care Here


The Strategic Planning Process

To develop this Strategic Plan for Child Care, First Children’s Finance (FCF) focused data collection and planning efforts on how business interventions and community support could address local challenges. During November and December 2023, a series of strategic planning meetings were held. To launch this process, FCF presented the key findings from the Child Care Market Analysis. FCF also shared Emerging Models and Promising Practices, Successful Child Care Models, which highlighted child care providers and communities FCF has worked with as replicable examples. At the remaining meetings, strategic planning participants engaged in exercises to develop a vision for child care in the community, and goals and strategies to address the child care challenges identified though the child care market analysis.

Storm Lake Child Care Steering Committee

A steering committee consisting of community and business representatives will serve as the leader of this plan, including reviewing the goals, strategies, and action plans each year. To fully implement this plan, the committee may form subcommittees or task forces so that additional community members or organizations become engaged, and activities and workload are distributed. The Storm Lake Child Care Steering Committee members will be established as described in Goal 1, Strategy 1 of this plan.

Strategic Planning Participants

From November 2023 to February 2024, a series of sessions focused on strategic planning were held. A total of 13 individuals participated in the sessions which resulted in the creation of a vision for child care in Storm Lake, child care goals, and strategies to achieve each goal. Participants in the sessions represented employers, government, education, community leaders, and early childhood representatives.

Putting this Plan into Use

This Strategic Plan for Child Care represents a significant investment of community resources. To achieve the expected outcomes and impacts outlined in this plan, the Child Care Steering Committee will take on the role as the leader of these efforts, which may include forming subcommittees or task forces so that additional community members or organizations become engaged, and activities and workload are distributed. The plan and progress made to date will be reviewed annually by the Child Care Steering Committee, along with discussing strategies and action plans for the upcoming year.

Storm Lake Child Care 

A Community Conversation


Parents, employers, providers and everyone interested in the future of child care in the Storm Lake is invited to watch this important presentation. 

Angie Rae Duncan from First Children's Finance presents a summary of the Market Analysis and Strategic Plan for Child Care in Storm Lake,  




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Taylor Family Farms Foundation Grant - Childcare 


Taylor Family Farm Foundation Fall 2025 Grant Round description 

APPLY HERE 

For rural communities, accessing childcare can be a significant challenge.  Openings at childcare centers or in-home providers has been on a downward spiral over the past several years. At the same time, attracting new providers or increasing the capacity of current providers often comes with challenges or obstacles, including funding. This childcare challenge has also has a ripple affect across communities in a variety of areas, including economic development.  

The Taylor Family Farms Foundation is now accepting grant applications for childcare-related programs during our upcoming granting period. These funds are intended to be “one-time” grants and should not be for more than 50 percent of the total project. Securing matching funds in advance is also strongly encouraged. 

Eligible projects may include:

•    Increasing childcare capacity 

•    Projects to reduce childcare challenges in your community

•    Support ADA compliance

•    Assist with licensure compliance or regulatory updates

Eligibility: Applicants must be nonprofit organizations, churches, schools or municipalities that are able to receive funding from a non-profit foundation. 

Grant details:

•    Application period: October 1-October 31,2025( closes at midnight)

•    Maximum grant amount: $50,000

•    Grant notifications will be sent via letter by mid- November.


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Trying to Find Child Care? Do Your Employees Need Child Care?  



Iowa Child Care Resource & Referral is your child care partner.  Visit their website to learn more about: 

  • Licensed Child Care Centers (CCC)
  • Licensed Preschools 
  • Registered Child Development Homes (CDH)
  • Nonregistered Child Care Home (CCH)
  • Department of Education Programs

CCR&R gives referrals instead of recommendations because CCR&R encourages parents to take the time to research child care programs and providers and make the decision that they feel will be best for their family.   Click here to begin your child care search.  Talk to a Parent Referral Specialist  by calling 855-244-5301, Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. or email the Parent Referral Team: childcare@Caeiowa.org 


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Do You Need Help Paying for Child Care?




The State of Iowa Department of Heath-Human Services  provides Child Care Assistance.  Child Care Assistance (CCA) helps pay for the care of your child while a parent or caretaker works or attends school.  It might also be used to care for children while a parent or caretaker is looking for work or is temporarily unable to care for children because of medical reasons.    

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 Interested in Providing Child Care?
 


By choosing child care as a profession you have the opportunity to work in a child care center, run your own child care business and help others run their own child care business.  How do I get started?  Check out the information below. 

In-Home Daycare

  • Contact the CCR&R Recruitment & Retention Specialist in your area.
    • CCR&R will guide you through the Department of Human Services (DHS) application process
  • Contact CCR&R to request a provider registration packet.
  • In order to accept Child Care Assistance (CCA) payments, nonregistered Child Care Homes (CCHA) and registered Child Development Homes (CDH) providers must complete the Department of Human Services (DHS) application process.
  • Create your account in Iowa’s Early Childhood and School Age Professional Workforce Registry (i-PoWeR). i-PoWeR is an online tool where child care professionals can locate and enroll for approved Department of Human Services (DHS) professional development.
  • Complete required training.
  • Complete Background Checks and Fingerprinting (forms included in your registration packet).
  • Complete the registration packet with a CCR&R Child Care Consultant.
  • Connect with a CCR&R Child Care consultant to help you prepare your home for a Department of Human Services (DHS) pre-inspection
  • Pre-Inspection of your home by the Department of Human Services (DHS).
  • Correct any pre-inspection issues.
  • Continue to work with a CCR&R Child Care Consultant.

Daycare Center 

  • Obtain information regarding the need for a Child Care Center (CCC) in the community
    • CCR&R can help with providing statistical data and information regarding child care availability and need in your area
  • Contact a CCR&R Recruitment & Retention Specialist in your area
    • CCR&R will guide you through the process of starting a business and support you along the way
  • Find a site for the Child Care Center (CCC) and determine if any renovations need to be done OR create a building plan if building a new center
    • Do not purchase or sign a lease on the site until steps 4-6 are completed
  • Have an inspection done by the Iowa State Fire Marshal
  • Obtain City of Storm Lake Zoning approval for child care at the site
  • Contact the Department of Human Services (DHS) for an application for licensed providers and send in when completed
    • Visit their website to see forms, including the checklist of items to be submitted for initial licensure
    • View the Department of Human Services (DHS) Consultant Map for Licensing Consultant contact information
  • Prepare the center for a Department of Human Services (DHS) inspection, hire and train staff, purchase supplies, prepare files for children/staff, prepare policies and procedures, etc.
  • Continue to work with a CCR&R Child Care Consultant

Go to iowaccrr.org to learn more about what it takes to start a career in child care today!

Programs Available to Registered Homes and Licensed Centers 

  • The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Iowa program is part of a comprehensive national strategy that provides teacher education and compensation to Iowans who work with children birth to five years old. 
  • Child Care WAGE$® Iowa (WAGE$) is a salary supplement program offered by Iowa Association for the Education of Young Children (Iowa AEYC).
  • FieldPrint Fingerprinting can be used for meeting the requirements for licensed centers (and preschools), registered child development homes, and child care homes accepting child care assistance to conduct background checks on all staff and in some cases individuals residing within the home (if home-based care). 
  • Child care management software (CCMS) is software specifically designed to help child care programs automate their day-to-day operations so that staff have more time to spend with children. Child care programs that utilize CCMS can increase efficiency in their operations, reduce costs, and collect all payments that are owed. Currently regulated child care programs in Iowa that are using or sign up to use one of two selected CCMS Brightwheel and Playground are eligible to have their CCMS license paid for by the State of Iowa for up to 12 months. Participating programs are also eligible for up to $1,000 technology grant/support to enable the use of a CCMS.