Melissa Williams
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 2022, the issues cited most often were Building & Premises Safety (13), Children's Records & Files (11), and Licensing & Administrative Compliance (3). None of the 27 findings were critical.
See All 3 Inspection Visits
Nov 22, 202413 Findings13 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
- “ 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. 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. **The provider has two dogs in the home, the last dated veterinary health certificates were dated in 2022.
- “H” The Provider Shall Test Each Smoke Detector Monthly and Keep a Record of Testing for Inspection Purposes441 IAC 110.8(1)
- 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.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” 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 could not locate the 2024 documented drills and smoke detector checks. The last documented dates were from October 2023.
- 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...
- Children’s Files441 IAC 110.9(4)
Children’s Files. **The provider is in need to update childcare files so that all files have a 2024 physical. Suggestions/Recommendations: If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact compliance staff. Your CCR&R representative is Deb Martens. Her contact number is 712-755-7381. Corrective Action Required: In regards to the pet veterinary health forms, please have these completed by January 22, 2025. Once completed, you can send photo verification to 712-435-0576. In regards to the missing drill and smoke detector check documentation, please start with November 2024 and start monthly documentation. This will be reviewed at your next compliance visit. In regards to the...
Dec 6, 20235 Findings5 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)
- “ 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” (1) I-PoWeR Records or Certificates Verifying Required Training Completion: Iowa’s Mandatory Child Abuse Reporter…441 IAC 110.9(1)
“b” (1) I-PoWeR records or certificates verifying required training completion: Iowa’s Mandatory Child Abuse Reporter Training **At the time of the visit, the provider was unable to locate the training information for Larry Williams for MCARTWalnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-0114 Iowa Department of Health And Human Services Kim Reynolds Governor Adam Gregg Lt. Governor Kelly K. Garcia Director Suggestions/Recommendations: At the time of writing this report, the provider has submitted a picture copy of the completed training by Larry Williams. Corrective Action Required: Your home is not in need of a recheck. If you have any questions, please contact...
Jun 28, 20229 Findings9 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” 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. **Provider cannot locate current documentation due to new appliances and believes her form left with the old fridge. Iowa’s Mandatory Child Abuse Reporter Training **Provider and co-provider training information was not available to ensure expiration. Suggestions/Recommendations: For the drill information, start documenting this month for completed drills and smoke detector checks. Corrective Action Required: Non-compliance with any of the mandated requirements listed above may lead to the cancellation or revocation of your Child Development Home Registration. Please take whatever...
- 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.
- 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...