Sarah Smith-Quintero
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
- 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 Building & Premises Safety (11), Children's Records & Files (4), and Licensing & Administrative Compliance (1). Of 16 total findings, 2 were critical.
See the Inspection Visit
Oct 22, 202416 Findings2 Critical14 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. **The home is in need of a 2A 10 BC fire extinguisher. The provider had a 1A 10BC.
- 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. 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. **There are five pets in the home. Only two of the pets had signed forms at this visit. The vet has the other three awaiting fecal results.
- 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
- “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
- 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. **The provider reported she thought she had these, but did not. She is reaching out for a copy from HHS foster parent worker.
- “B” Emergency Preparedness Plan441 IAC 110.8(4)
“b” Emergency preparedness plan. **The provider has a plan posted in her home that is appropriate for another program, but not as specific as what is required for a childcare home.
- 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” Findings:
- “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. **The provider did not have this on file for herself.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 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...