Cynthia Cottrell
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.2 / 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.Not Available
- 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 2 out of 5 stars overall. 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. No objective process measures (e.g., state quality rating or national accreditation) are available for this daycare. The overall rating reflects structural features only.
Quality Recognitions & Accreditations
- 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 3 inspections since 2023, the issues cited most often were Children's Records & Files (17), Building & Premises Safety (10), and Licensing & Administrative Compliance (3). Of 30 total findings, 2 were critical.
See All 3 Inspection Visits
May 15, 20256 Findings6 Important
- 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
- Files441 IAC 110.9
- A Provider File Is Maintained and Shall Contain the Following:441 IAC 110.9(1)
- “ A” A Physician’s Examination Report for the Provider and All Members of the Provider’s Household Aged 18 Years Or…441 IAC 110.9(1)
“ a” A physician’s examination report for the provider and all members of the provider’s household aged 18 years or older. Acceptable physical examinations shall be documented on Form 470- 5152, Child Care Provider Physical Examination Report. All children residing in the household must have medical documentation outlined in 110.9(4) “d”, 110.9(4) “f”, and 110.9(4) “g”Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-0114 Iowa Department of Health And Human Services Kim Reynolds Governor Adam Gregg Lt. Governor Kelly K. Garcia Director Findings:
- “A” All Children Residing in the Household Must Have Medical Documentation Outlined in 110.9(4) “D”, 110.9(4) “F”, And…441 IAC 110.9(1)
“a” All children residing in the household must have medical documentation outlined in 110.9(4) “d”, 110.9(4) “f”, and 110.9(4) “g” Copies are needed of most recent physical examinations for two of the provider's children.
- 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...
May 13, 202410 Findings10 Important
- 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)
- “ N” Providers Shall Inform Parents of the Presence of Any Pet in the Home441 IAC 110.8(1)
“ n” Providers shall inform parents of the presence of any pet in the home. 1. Each dog or cat in the household shall undergo an annual health examination by a licensed veterinarian. Acceptable veterinary examinations shall be documented on Form 470-5153, Veterinary Health Certificate. This examination shall verify that the animal’s routine immunizations, particularly rabies, are current and that the animal shows no evidence of endoparasites (roundworms, hookworms, whipworms) and ectoparasites (fleas, mites, ticks, lice). 2. Each pet bird in the household shall be purchased from a dealer licensed by the Iowa department of agriculture and land stewardship and shall be examined by a...
- “N” Providers Shall Inform Parents of the Presence of Any Pet in the Home441 IAC 110.8(1)
“n” Providers shall inform parents of the presence of any pet in the home. 1. Each dog or cat in the household shall undergo an annual health examination by a licensed veterinarian. Acceptable veterinary examinations shall be documented on Form 470-5153, Veterinary Health Certificate. This examination shall verify that the animal’s routine immunizations, particularly rabies, are current and that the animal shows no evidence of endoparasites (roundworms, hookworms, whipworms) and ectoparasites (fleas, mites, ticks, lice). One of the provider's pets was missing a current physical examination.
- Files441 IAC 110.9
- A Provider File Is Maintained and Shall Contain the Following:441 IAC 110.9(1)
- An Individual File Is Maintained for Each Staff Assistant and Contains: 1441 IAC 110.9(2)
An individual file is maintained for each staff assistant and contains: 1. Documentation from the department confirming the record checks required under subrule 110.11(3) have been completed and authorizing or conditionally limiting the person’s involvement with child care 2. A completed Form 470-5152, Child Care Provider Physical Examination Report. TheWalnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-0114 Iowa Department of Health And Human Services Kim Reynolds Governor Adam Gregg Lt. Governor Kelly K. Garcia Director examination shall include any necessary testing for communicable diseases; a discussion of recommended vaccinations; completed no more than six months prior...
- An Individual File Is Maintained for Each Staff Assistant and Contains: B441 IAC 110.9(2)
An individual file is maintained for each staff assistant and contains: b. A completed Form 470-5152, Child Care Provider Physical Examination Report. The examination shall include any necessary testing for communicable diseases; a discussion of recommended vaccinations; completed no more than six months prior to approval to assist or be a household member; completed by a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, physician assistant or advanced registered nurse practitioner; and repeated at least every three years. A current physical examination is missing for your staff assistant.
- Children’s Files441 IAC 110.9(4)
Children’s Files. An individual file for each child shall be maintained and updated annually or when the provider becomes aware of changes. The file shall contain: 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, at a minimum, where the parent can be reached, the name, street address, city and telephone number of the child’s regular source of health care, 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...
- 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...
Sep 5, 202314 Findings2 Critical12 Important
- “ G” The Home Shall Have at Least One 2A 10BC Rated Fire Extinguisher Located in a Visible and Readily Accessible Place…441 IAC 110.8(1)
“ g” The home shall have at least one 2A 10BC rated fire extinguisher located in a visible and readily accessible place on each child-occupied floor.
- “G” The Home Shall Have at Least One 2A 10BC Rated Fire Extinguisher Located in a Visible and Readily Accessible Place…441 IAC 110.8(1)
“g” The home shall have at least one 2A 10BC rated fire extinguisher located in a visible and readily accessible place on each child-occupied floor.
- 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
- “ Q” The Provider Shall Have Written Policy and Procedures for Responding to Health-related Emergencies441 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.
- “Q” The Provider Shall Have Written Policy and Procedures for Responding to Health-related Emergencies.441 IAC 110.8(1)
- Files441 IAC 110.9
- A Provider File Is Maintained and Shall Contain the Following:441 IAC 110.9(1)
- “ A” A Physician’s Examination Report for the Provider and All Members of the Provider’s Household Aged 18 Years Or…441 IAC 110.9(1)
“ a” A physician’s examination report for the provider and all members of the provider’s household aged 18 years or older. Acceptable physical examinations shall be documented on Form 470- 5152, Child Care Provider Physical Examination Report. All children residing in the household must have medical documentation outlined in 110.9(4) “d”, 110.9(4) “f”, and 110.9(4) “g”
- “A” A Physician’s Examination Report for the Provider and All Members of the Provider’s Household Aged 18 Years Or…441 IAC 110.9(1)
“a” A physician’s examination report for the provider and all members of the provider’s household aged 18 years or older . Acceptable physical examinations shall be documented on Form 470-5152, Child Care Provider Physical Examination Report. All children residing in the household must have medical documentation outlined in 110.9(4) “d”, 110.9(4) “f”, and 110.9(4) “g”
- Children’s Files441 IAC 110.9(4)
Children’s Files. An individual file for each child shall be maintained and updated annually or when the provider becomes aware of changes. The file shall contain: 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, at a minimum, where the parent can be reached, the name, street address, city and telephone number of the child’s regular source of health care, 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...
- 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...