Iowa · Daycare, Preschool & Camp

Iowa daycare and camp health forms:
what you need before enrollment.

Iowa licensed childcare centers must verify immunization records and maintain health information for every enrolled child under Iowa Administrative Code 441-109 (Childcare Center licensing). Camp programs have additional requirements. Here is what's required, where to get it, and the timeline.

Last verified: September 8, 2026

Required Documents

1. Certificate of Immunization for childcare

Under Iowa Code §139A.8 and Iowa Administrative Code 441-109, licensed childcare centers must have a valid Certificate of Immunization on file for each child. The childcare immunization schedule includes age-appropriate doses of:

DTaP — age-appropriate doses per the CDC schedule
Polio (IPV) — age-appropriate doses
MMR — first dose at 12 months
Hepatitis B — 3 doses (series begins at birth)
Hepatitis A — 2 doses (first dose at 12 months)
Varicella — first dose at 12 months
Hib — age-appropriate doses
PCV13 (Pneumococcal) — age-appropriate doses

Verify in IRIS: Ask your child's pediatrician to check IRIS (Iowa's Immunization Registry Information System) for completeness and print a current record. Most Iowa providers report doses to IRIS automatically. (Source: Iowa HHS — Vaccines & Immunizations; Iowa Code §139A.8, accessed Aug 31, 2026)

2. Health history and emergency information

Iowa childcare licensing requires each enrolled child to have a health and emergency information form on file. Under Iowa Admin. Code 441-109, the center must maintain:

Known allergies (food, medication, environmental) and allergy action plans
Chronic conditions requiring special attention (asthma, diabetes, seizures)
Current medications, dosing instructions, and physician authorization for medication administration
Emergency contacts (at least two, separate from parent/guardian)
Physician's name, phone number, and preferred hospital
Authorization for emergency medical treatment

The childcare center provides their specific enrollment health form. Complete it before the first day — Iowa centers cannot enroll a child without health and emergency information on file.

Physical exam: Iowa does not require a physical exam for childcare enrollment at the state level, but many Iowa childcare centers request one. Check with your specific center for their requirements. (Source: Iowa Admin. Code 441-109, accessed Aug 31, 2026)

3. Day camp and residential camp requirements

Iowa camps follow health documentation requirements set by their licensing authority and the American Camp Association (for ACA-accredited programs). Typical requirements include:

A health history form completed by the parent
A physician-signed physical exam (most camps require within the prior 12–24 months)
Current immunization records
Allergy and medication action plans with authorization forms
Emergency treatment consent signed by the parent

Contact your camp's health director for specific forms and deadlines. Most Iowa camps begin collecting health documentation 30–60 days before the session starts.

Family Stork

Every person gets one health story, and one private Family Stork email address every clinic already knows how to use.

Iowa parents managing daycare enrollment, camp physicals, and IRIS records across multiple providers know how quickly paperwork scatters. Family Stork keeps everything in one timeline.

Give any Iowa clinic your child's private @families.familystork.com address. They send vaccine records and visit summaries — the health timeline builds itself. When the daycare or camp asks for documentation, the complete record is already organized.

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One health story. One email address every clinic already knows how to use.

Give any Iowa clinic your child's private @familystork address. They send records; the timeline builds itself. No portal logins, no uploads, nothing for the clinic to learn.

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Iowa daycare and camp health forms:what you need before enrollment.

1. Certificate of Immunization for childcare

2. Health history and emergency information

3. Day camp and residential camp requirements

Every person gets one health story, and one private Family Stork email address every clinic already knows how to use.

One health story. One email address every clinic already knows how to use.

More Iowa guides for parents

Iowa daycare and camp health forms:
what you need before enrollment.