Laura Cook
827 W MAIN ST, WEST BRANCH, IA 52358Childery 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.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 2 inspections since 2023, the issues cited most often were Building & Premises Safety (37), Children's Records & Files (14), and Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (3). Of 56 total findings, 2 were critical.
See All 2 Inspection Visits
Aug 26, 202414 Findings14 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
- Provider Requirements441 IAC 110.7
- Standards. Conditions in the Home Are Safe, Sanitary, and Free of Hazards.441 IAC 110.8
- 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. Pet Records.441 IAC 110.8(1)
- 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.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
- “B” The Provider Must Have Procedures in Place for the Following: 1441 IAC 110.8(4)
“b” The provider must have procedures in place for the following: 1. evacuation to safely leave the facility 2. relocation to a common, safe location after the evacuation 3. shelter-in-place to take immediate shelter where you are when it is unsafe to leave that location due to the emergent issue 4. lock down protocol to protect children and providers from an external situation 5. communication plan and plans for reunification with families 6. continuity of operations plans 7. Procedures to address the needs of individual children, including those with functional or access needs
- A. Emergency Plans. B. Emergency Preparedness Plan.441 IAC 110.8(4)
- Files441 IAC 110.9
- A Provider File Is Maintained and Shall Contain the Following:441 IAC 110.9(1)
- 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...
- Child Files441 IAC 110.9(4)
Child Files. Suggestions/Recommendations: I encourage you to work with Child Care Resource and Referral for ongoing child care needs. Alicia Wagner Child Care Consultant Child Care Resource & Referral of Southeast Iowa Community Action of Eastern Iowa awagner@caeiowa.org T: 319-538-8464 500 E 59th St.| Davenport, IA 52807| www.iowaccrr.org Corrective Action Required: Laura was unable to locate her pet records. Laura states they are all current, however, she could not locate HHS required form. Laura will send form to Kathy once it's located. Laura has changed where they go for tornadoes (no longer use basement, but rather main level of the home). Laura needs to update her emergency plans...
Mar 10, 202342 Findings2 Critical40 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.
- b(2)Background Check Letter. Laura Needs to Locate Documentation From the Department Confirming Background Checks Have Been Completed.441 IAC 110.9(1)
- Have Been Completed and Authorizing or Conditionally Limiting the Person’s Involvement with Child Care.441 IAC 110.11(3)
- 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
- Provider Requirements441 IAC 110.7
- Standards. Conditions in the Home Are Safe, Sanitary, and Free of Hazards.441 IAC 110.8
- Cited rule441 IAC 110.8
- Facility Requirements441 IAC 110.8(1)
- “ A” The Home Shall Have a Nonpay441 IAC 110.8(1)
“ a” The home shall have a nonpay, working land-line or mobile telephone with emergency numbers posted for police, fire, ambulance, and the poison information center. The number for each child’s parent, for a responsible person who can be reached when the parent cannot, and for the child’s physician shall be written on paper and readily accessible by the telephone. The home must prominently display all emergency information, and all travel vehicles must have a paper copy of emergency parent contact information
- “ C” Combustible Materials Shall Be Kept a Minimum of Three Feet Away From Furnaces, Stoves, Water Heaters, and Gas Dryers441 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...
- “ O” The Provider Shall Document All Injuries That Require First Aid or Medical Care Using an Injury Report Form441 IAC 110.8(1)
“ o” The provider shall document all injuries that require first aid or medical care using an injury report form. The form shall be completed on the date of occurrence, shared with the parent, and maintained in the child’s file
- “ P” The Provider Shall Have Written Policies Regarding the Care of Mildly Ill Children and Exclusion of Children Due…441 IAC 110.8(1)
“ p” The provider shall have written policies regarding the care of mildly ill children and exclusion of children due to illness and shall inform parents of these policies.
- “ Q” The Provider Shall Have Written Policy and Procedures for Responding to Health-related Emergencies441 IAC 110.8(1)
- ” R” The Certificate of Registration Shall Be Displayed in a Conspicuous Place.441 IAC 110.8(1)
- A. Emergency Numbers441 IAC 110.8(1)
a. Emergency numbers. Laura will post emergency numbers for police, fire, ambulance, and poison information. Laura will make sure emergency numbers for children are updated with all enrolled children and include number for each child's parent, emergency contact, and child's physician.
- C. Combustible Materials441 IAC 110.8(1)
c. Combustible materials. Laura will clear a path in the basement so the furnace and water heater can be fully viewed. Laura reported there were just a few chairs in that area, but this worker was unable to confirm and observe.
- H. Smoke Detector. Laura Needs to Locate Her Monthly Smoke Detector Testing.441 IAC 110.8(1)
- N. Pet Records441 IAC 110.8(1)
n. Pet records. Laura needs to locate pet records for 1 dog and 2 cats with annual examination documented on form 470-5153, Pet Health Examination Veterinary Health Certificate.
- O. Injury Report Forms. Laura Needs to Locate Her Injury Report Form.441 IAC 110.8(1)
- P.q. Policies. Laura Needs to Locate Illness and Health Related Emergency Policies.441 IAC 110.8(1)
- R. Laura Needs to Post Current Certificate of Registration.441 IAC 110.8(1)
- Medications and Hazardous Materials441 IAC 110.8(3)
- “B”441 IAC 110.8(3)
- “C” A First-aid Kit Shall Be Available and Easily Accessible Whenever Children Are in the Child Development Home, In…441 IAC 110.8(3)
“c” A first-aid kit shall be available and easily accessible whenever children are in the child development home, in the outdoor play area, in vehicles used to transport children, and on field trips. The kit shall be sufficient to address first aid related to minor injury or trauma and shall be stored in an area inaccessible to children. The kit shall, at a minimum, include adhesive bandages, bottled water, disposable tweezers, and disposable plastic gloves. Medications shall be given only with the parent’s or doctor’s written authorization. Each prescribed medication shall be accompanied by a physician’s or pharmacist’s direction. Both nonprescription and prescription medications shall be...
- A. Unsafe Materials441 IAC 110.8(3)
a. Unsafe materials. Laura needs to ensure all unsafe materials are secured from access by a child. The bathroom is not used for children, however, it needs to be safe for use if needed.
- B. First Aid Supplies441 IAC 110.8(3)
b. First Aid supplies. Laura needs first aid supplies that include at a minimum bandaids, bottled water, disposable tweezers, and disposable gloves.
- C. Medications. Laura Needs to Locate Medication Administration Form.441 IAC 110.8(3)
- 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.
- “B” The Provider Must Have Procedures in Place for the Following: 1441 IAC 110.8(4)
“b” The provider must have procedures in place for the following: 1. evacuation to safely leave the facility 2. relocation to a common, safe location after the evacuation 3. shelter-in-place to take immediate shelter where you are when it is unsafe to leave that location due to the emergent issue 4. lock down protocol to protect children and providers from an external situation 5. communication plan and plans for reunification with families 6. continuity of operations plans 7. Procedures to address the needs of individual children, including those with functional or access needs
- A. Emergency Plans441 IAC 110.8(4)
a. Emergency Plans. Laura needs to post emergency and disaster plans for fire and tornado by primary and secondary exits. Laura needs to locate fire and tornado drill documentation for current and previous year.
- B. Emergency Preparedness Plan. Laura Needs to Locate Emergency Preparedness Plan.441 IAC 110.8(4)
- Files441 IAC 110.9
- A Provider File Is Maintained and Shall Contain the following:Walnut Street441 IAC 110.9(1)
A provider file is maintained and shall contain the following: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
- “ 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”
- “ 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)
- A. Household Physicals441 IAC 110.9(1)
a. Household physicals. Laura needs physicals for herself and household member documented on 470-5152, Child Care Provider Physical Examination Report.
- b(1)Training. Laura Needs to Locate Essentials Certificates, Mandatory Reporter Training, CPR/1st Aid.441 IAC 110.9(1)
- 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...
- A-k. Child Files441 IAC 110.9(4)
a-k. Child Files. Laura needs to ensure all enrolled children have files that contain intake, emergency medical treatment authorization, travel/activity permission and current physical and immunization records. Suggestions/Recommendations: Contact Alicia Wagner, CCRR, for needed assistance with child care matters. Alicia Wagner Child Care Consultant Child Care Resource & Referral of Southeast Iowa Community Action of Eastern Iowa awagner@caeiowa.org T: 319-538-8464Walnut 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...
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