Karen Cota
2082 HWY 76 N, WAUKON, IA 52172Childery Rating: 2/5
Data last updated ·
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.2 / 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 2 out of 5 stars overall. Process quality reflects an Iowa Quality for Kids rating of IQ4K Level 1. 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 1 (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 3 inspections since 2023, the issues cited most often were Building & Premises Safety (12) and Licensing & Administrative Compliance (3). Of 15 total findings, 1 was critical.
See All 3 Inspection Visits
May 15, 20254 Findings1 Critical3 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. Findings:
- 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)
- "G" Fire Extinguishers. Suggestions/Recommendations: I Encourage You to Work with Child Care Resource and Referral for Ongoing Child Care Needs. Teri Orr Child Care Consultant Supervisor Child Care Resource & Referral of Northeast Iowa Exceptional Persons, Inc. Teri.orr@episervice.org P (563) 382-4447441 IAC 110.8(1)
c (563) 419-5868 f (563) 382-1870 1111 Paine Street | Suite H | Decorah, Iowa 52101 | www.iowaccrr.orgWalnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-0114 Iowa Department of Health And Human Services Kim Reynolds Governor Adam Gregg Lt. Governor Kelly K. Garcia Director Corrective Action Required: Karen needs a 2a10BC rated fire extinguisher for lower level of the home....
Oct 2, 20244 Findings4 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)
- “ E” Annual Laboratory Analysis of a Private Water Supply Shall Be Conducted to Show Satisfactory Bacteriological…441 IAC 110.8(1)
“ e” Annual laboratory analysis of a private water supply shall be conducted to show satisfactory bacteriological quality. When children under the age of two are to be cared for, the analysis shall include a nitrate analysis. When private water supplies are determined unsuitable for drinking, commercially bottled water or water treated through a process approved by the health department or designee shall be provided. Findings:
- E. Private Water Supply Sample441 IAC 110.8(1)
e. Private water supply sample. Suggestions/Recommendations: I encourage you to work with Child Care Resource and Referral for ongoing child care needs. Teri Orr Child Care Resource & Referral of Northeast Iowa Exceptional Persons, Inc. teri.orr@episervice.org Corrective Action Required: Karen needs an updated private water sample report as her last one is over a year old. Karen will send updated water sample results to Kathy by 11/20/2024. This can be emailed to kathy.huinker@hhs.iowa.gov or texted to 563-949- 6971.Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-0114 Iowa Department of Health And Human Services Kim Reynolds Governor Adam Gregg Lt. Governor Kelly K. Garcia...
May 5, 20237 Findings7 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)
- “ 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. Smoke Detectors441 IAC 110.8(1)
h. Smoke detectors. Karen needs smoke detector for lower level/top of stairs and one in a sleeping room. Karen needs to either move the smoke detector in the hallway and place in other sleeping room or place an additional detector inside the room.
- Emergency Plans441 IAC 110.8(4)
- Emergency Plans: Plans in Case of Man-made or Natural Disaster Shall Be Written and Posted by the Primary and Secondary…441 IAC 110.8(4)
Emergency Plans: plans in case of man-made or natural disaster shall be written and posted by the primary and secondary exits. The plans shall clearly map building evacuation routes and tornado and flood shelter areas. Findings:
- A. Emergency Plans441 IAC 110.8(4)
a. Emergency Plans. Karen needs to make a copy of the emergency/disaster plan and put back up by the door. Suggestions/Recommendations: Contact Teri Orr at CCRR for needed assistance. Teri Orr Child Care Resource & Referral of Northeast Iowa Exceptional Persons, Inc. teri.orr@episervice.orgWalnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-0114 Iowa Department of Health And Human Services Kim Reynolds Governor Adam Gregg Lt. Governor Kelly K. Garcia Director Corrective Action Required: A follow up visit will not be required however Karen needs to send verification of the installed smoke detectors to Kathy by 6/22/23. Items can be emailed to khuinke@dhs.state.ia.us or texted...
Explore More
Daycares Near This One
- Mary VertheinWaukon · 1/5 Childery Rating
- Growing Bear Day Care & Preschool IncWaukon · 4/5 Childery Rating
- Heather RissmanWaukon · 1/5 Childery Rating