Amanda Nelson
Data last updated · May 2026
Quality Indicators
See Methodology →- Overall QualityCombines daily care quality (interactions, learning, environment) with structural features like staff-to-child ratios and teacher qualifications.3 / 5
- Process QualityThe quality of daily care — caregiver-child interactions, learning activities, and the emotional climate. Drawn from the state QRIS rating, accreditations, and Head Start CLASS observations.3 / 5
- Structural QualityMeasurable features like staff-to-child ratios, group sizes, license status, and teacher qualifications. Provider-level data when available; otherwise the state regulatory baseline.2 / 5
Why this rating
This daycare earned 3 out of 5 stars overall. Process quality reflects an Iowa Quality for Kids rating of IQ4K Level 2. Structural quality reflects Iowa's licensing baseline. Iowa caps infant ratios at 1:4, toddler ratios at 1:4, and preschool ratios at 1:12. Lead-teacher education isn't regulated. Teachers must complete 6 hours of annual training.
Quality Recognitions & Accreditations
- State Quality Rating
- Iowa Quality for Kids IQ4K Level 2 (Max 5) Learn more →
- Accreditations
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)Not Accredited
- National Accreditation Commission (NAC)Not Accredited
- National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA)Not Accredited
- National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)Not Accredited
Facility Info
- Facility type
- Family Child Care Home
- Age groups served
- Infants, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age
- Licensed capacity
- Not Available
- Teacher-child ratios & group sizesState Minimum Displayed
Age Max ratio Max group Infants 1:4 Not Available Toddlers 1:4 Not Available Preschool 1:12 Not Available
Teacher Credentials
- Lead teacher credentialState Minimum Displayed
- Not Regulated
Inspection History
Across 1 inspection since 2024, the issues cited most often were Children's Records & Files (7), Building & Premises Safety (6), and Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (2). None of the 16 findings were critical.
See the Inspection Visit
Apr 8, 202416 Findings16 Important
- Have Been Completed and Authorizing or Conditionally Limiting the Person’s Involvement with Child Care. Findings:441 IAC 110.11(3)
- Have Been Completed and Authorizing or Conditionally Limiting the Person’s Involvement with Child Care441 IAC 110.11(3)
have been completed and authorizing or conditionally limiting the person’s involvement with child care. The provider had no documentation confirming record checks had been completed on all household members aged fourteen and older.
- Check with the Appropriate Authorities to Determine How the Following Local441 IAC 110.5(1)
Check with the appropriate authorities to determine how the following local, state, or federal laws apply to you: • Zoning code • Building code • Fire code • Business license • State and federal income tax • Unemployment insurance • Worker’s Compensation • Minimum wage and hour requirements • OSHA • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-0114
- Facility Requirements441 IAC 110.8(1)
- “ H” The Home Shall Have at Least One Single-station441 IAC 110.8(1)
“ h” The home shall have at least one single-station, battery-operated, UL-approved smoke detector in each child-occupied room and at the top of every stairway. Each smoke detector shall be installed according to manufacturer’s recommendations. The provider shall test each smoke detector monthly and keep a record of testing for inspection purposes
- “H” The Provider Shall Test Each Smoke Detector Monthly and Keep a Record of Testing for Inspection Purposes441 IAC 110.8(1)
“h” The provider shall test each smoke detector monthly and keep a record of testing for inspection purposes. The provider had no documentation of monthly testing of the smoke detectors since August 2023.
- Emergency Plans441 IAC 110.8(4)
- “A” Fire and Tornado Drills Shall Be Practiced Monthly and the Provider Shall Keep Documentation Evidencing Compliance…441 IAC 110.8(4)
“a” Fire and tornado drills shall be practiced monthly and the provider shall keep documentation evidencing compliance with monthly practice on file for the current year and the previous year.
- “A” Fire and Tornado Drills Shall Be Practiced Monthly and the Provider Shall Keep Documentation Evidencing Compliance…441 IAC 110.8(4)
“a” Fire and tornado drills shall be practiced monthly and the provider shall keep documentation evidencing compliance with monthly practice on file for the current year and the previous year. The provider had no documentation of completed monthly fire and tornado drills since August 2023.
- Files441 IAC 110.9
- A Provider File Is Maintained and Shall Contain the Following:441 IAC 110.9(1)
- “ B” (1) I-PoWeR Records or Certificates Verifying Required Training Completion: Prior to Registration: • Minimum…441 IAC 110.9(1)
“ b” (1) I-PoWeR records or certificates verifying required training completion: Prior to registration: • minimum health and safety training, approved by the Department, in required content areas • Iowa’s Mandatory Child Abuse Reporter Training Prior to registration: First Aid and Cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Provider shall maintain a valid certificate indicating date of training and expiration date. During each two year registration period, the provider shall receive a minimum of 24 hours of training from approved content areas. A provider shall not use a specific training or class to meet minimum continuing education requirements more than one time every five years A provider who...
- “ b”(2) Documentation From the Department Confirming the Record Checks Required Under441 IAC 110.9(1)
- “B” (1) I-PoWeR Records or Certificates Verifying Required Training Completion: Prior to registration:Iowa’s Mandatory…441 IAC 110.9(1)
“b” (1) I-PoWeR records or certificates verifying required training completion: Prior to registration:Iowa’s Mandatory Child Abuse Reporter Training Prior to registration: First Aid and Cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Provider shall maintain a valid certificate indicating date of training and expiration date. The provider had no documentation either in her records or in I-Power of her current mandatory reporter and CPR/first aid certifications.
- “b”(2) Documentation From the Department Confirming the Record Checks Required Under441 IAC 110.9(1)
- Children’s Files441 IAC 110.9(4)
Children’s files. An individual file is maintained for each child and updated annually or when there are changes. Each file contains: a. Identifying information including, at a minimum, the child’s name, birth date, parent’s name, address, telephone number, special needs of the child, and the parent’s work address and telephone number. b. Emergency information including where the parent can be reached, the name, street address, city, and telephone of the child’s regular doctor, and the name, telephone number, and relationship to the child of another adult available in case of emergency. c. A signed medical consent from the parent authorizing emergency treatment. d. For infants and...