A new Iowa-operated website has launched geared at helping Iowa parents find and compare childcare options in the state.

Announced by Gov. Kim Reynolds and Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Director Kelly Garcia, the new site was unveiled this past Thursday, August 22 at the capital in Des Moines.

Iowa Child Care Connect

The new website is called, Iowa Child Care Connect and can be found by visiting childcareconnect.iowa.gov/.

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The cost of creating the site was an estimated $5.2 million. This was funded by federal pandemic assistance funding. Annual maintenance will be $500,000.

What the Site Does

Iowa Child Care Connect is being billed as a great tool, allowing Iowa parents to see availability, quality ratings, and even recent complaints for various childcare facilities.

Gov. Reynolds says the site came about because of recommendations made by a task force she created that sought to improve access and the lowest possible cost of child care in Iowa.

Iowa Child Care Connect was developed by Iowa State University and Resultant, a data and technology consulting firm.

According to the Globe Gazette, families in Iowa earning the median income of $79,186 spend about 16% of their pre-tax income on child care at licensed centers and 11% at registered childcare homes.

This data comes from Iowa Child Care Resource and Referral, an organization that promotes quality child care and helps providers meet regulatory standards.

Garcia calls the site a "powerful tool" that aims to help families find good, affordable childcare.

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