Iowa launches new ‘first-of-its-kind’ child care website

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCAU) — The state of Iowa has introduced a new website designed to allow residents to more easily find available child care options.

Gov. Kim Reynolds announced the website, named Iowa Child Care Connect , on Thursday. The platform, billed as the first of its kind in the United States, finds child care near Iowans’ homes, schools and work places.

“Using Iowa’s Child Care Connect, Iowa parents will be able to locate any open child care spots in their neighborhood or along their route to work– almost in real time,” Reynolds said in a statement. “This new innovative solution is just one way we are meeting the critical child care needs of working families in our state. Iowa Child Care Connect is a game changer and I am so proud of all the partnership and work that has gone into its creation.”

The website was developed by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Iowa State University, and consulting firm Resultant. It was developed with flexibility and sustainability in mind, according to a release.

“As a working mom of young children, I understand firsthand and know the challenges of what working parents face in finding available and affordable child care,” Iowa HHS director Kelly Garcia said in a statement. “We are thrilled to provide this new, easy-to-use tool that will meet working Iowa parents right where they are and expand accessibility to open child care slots.”

Iowans can search by age ranges, hours of operation, rating, and more.

To try out the new website, visit iachildcareconnect.org .

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