Children at daycare

Best Daycare Centers in Marion, IA

Compare 20 daycare centers in Marion. Average rating: 4.03/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Marion, Iowa at a glance

Daycares
20
Avg rating
4.03/5
Parent reviews
73
Top rated (4.5+)
2

Marion has 20 licensed daycares with 73 parent reviews averaging 4.03/5.The largest concentration is in 52302 with 20 programs.Browse all options below to find the right fit for your family.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Marion

Ranked using a weighted score that combines Google rating with the number of parent reviews — daycares with more reviews rank higher than those with a high rating but few reviews. Last updated: March 2026.

  1. 1
    Kids INC Summer Program
    4.44 score
    4.6(14)

    275 W 29th Ave, Marion, IA · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: 120 children

    All reviews are 5/5 stars praising the church community and biblical teaching. Parents consistently highlight the welcoming, family-oriented atmosphere and strong sense of belonging within the congregation.

    Biblical teachingwelcoming communityfamily atmospherecontemporary worship
  2. 2
    Apple Kids
    4.29 score
    4.4(14)

    600 10th Ave, Marion, IA · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: 144 children

    Apple Kids in Marion receives consistently excellent feedback from parents across all reviews. Parents praise the caring, patient staff who provide nurturing care from infancy through school age, with strong emphasis on child development, communication, and creating a secure environment. Families report high satisfaction with the facility's cleanliness, organized programs, and willingness to accommodate individual child needs.

    Warm and caring staffpatient and attentive teachersstrong communication and photo/video updatessupportive environment for children with medical challenges
  3. 3
    Hand In Hand-Barrington
    4.12 score
    4.2(8)

    905 Barrington Pkwy, Marion, IA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 98 children

    Hand in Hand Barrington has mostly very positive reviews from long-term families praising care quality, education, and staff compassion. However, two recent negative reviews detail discriminatory practices regarding children with disabilities, lack of contract transparency about potty training requirements, non-refundable fees, and safety concerns about pick-up procedures.

    Caring and compassionate staffeducational quality exceeds expectationschildren well-prepare
  4. 4
    Our Little Haven
    3.35 score
    2.8(6)

    2770 18th Ave, Marion, IA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 212 children

    Our Little Haven receives mixed reviews with significant polarization. Positive reviews praise professional management, engaging activities, and open observation policies. However, negative reviews raise serious concerns about safety protocols, staff conduct, and child care responsiveness.

    Professional managementengaging hands-on activitiesfriendly staffopen observation policy

Rating Distribution

Based on 7 daycares with Google ratings in Marion

4.5 - 5.0
2
4.0 - 4.4
3
3.0 - 3.9
1
Below 3
1

Daycare Types Compared

Average ratings by facility type in Marion, based on parent reviews

Before or After School Daycare

4avg rating
10 daycares · 3 rated

Child Daycare & Preschools

3.73avg rating
8 daycares · 3 rated

Church Daycare

5avg rating
1 daycares · 1 rated

Headstart Programs

No ratings yet
1 daycares

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Marion zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
5230220
4.03
2

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Marion (18–212 children)

Small

up to 30 children

3

Medium

31–75 children

4

Large

76–150 children

11

Very Large

150+ children

2

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in Marion based on parent reviews

Kids INC Summer Program

4.6(14)

275 W 29th Ave, Marion, IA

All reviews are 5/5 stars praising the church community and biblical teaching. Parents consistently highlight the welcoming, family-oriented atmosphere and strong sense of belonging within the congregation.

Biblical teachingwelcoming communityfamily atmosphere

Wee Wisdom

5(3)

3500 29th Ave, Marion, IA

Parents report excellent experiences with the preschool programs, highlighting teachers who are caring and engaging. Reviewers specifically praise Miss Michelle and note that children enjoy attending and receiving daily activity updates.

caring teachersdaily activity photosengaging programs

Apple Kids

4.4(14)

600 10th Ave, Marion, IA

Apple Kids in Marion receives consistently excellent feedback from parents across all reviews. Parents praise the caring, patient staff who provide nurturing care from infancy through school age, with strong emphasis on child development, communication, and creating a secure environment. Families report high satisfaction with the facility's cleanliness, organized programs, and willingness to accommodate individual child needs.

Warm and caring staffpatient and attentive teachersstrong communication and photo/video updates

Hand In Hand-Barrington

4.2(8)

905 Barrington Pkwy, Marion, IA

Hand in Hand Barrington has mostly very positive reviews from long-term families praising care quality, education, and staff compassion. However, two recent negative reviews detail discriminatory practices regarding children with disabilities, lack of contract transparency about potty training requirements, non-refundable fees, and safety concerns about pick-up procedures.

Caring and compassionate staffeducational quality exceeds expectationschildren well-prepare

Busy Bee Day Care INC

4.2(3)

2650 10th St, Marion, IA

One parent describes a wonderful, small family-like atmosphere with dedicated teachers who know the children well, while another notes the reasonable pricing and convenient preschool integration. However, a single review cites an issue with billing for unattended care.

small class sizeslow staff turnoverknowledgeable teachers

St Joseph Childcare

3(1)

1430 14th St, Marion, IA

Map

Daycare types in Marion

Child Daycare & Preschools 8Headstart Programs 1Church Daycare 1Before or After School Daycare 10

Daycare Centers in Marion, Iowa

There are 20 daycare centers in Marion, Iowa. Below you'll find a complete directory to help you compare and choose the right daycare for your child.

Based on Google reviews, daycares in Marion have an average rating of 4.03 out of 5 across 7 rated facilities, with 29% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Church Daycare facilities lead with an average of 5 stars. Our analysis covers 73 parent reviews.

When choosing a daycare in Marion, consider visiting facilities in person, checking their licensing status, and asking about staff-to-child ratios, daily routines, and safety policies.

All Daycare Centers in Marion

Showing 20 results

Wee Wisdom
Church Daycare
5

Parents report excellent experiences with the preschool programs, highlighting teachers who are caring and engaging. Reviewers specifically praise Miss Michelle and note that children enjoy attending and receiving daily activity updates.

caring teachersdaily activity photosengaging programs
Address
3500 29th Ave, Marion, IA
Phone
(319) 377-4689
Kids INC Summer Program
Before or After School Daycare
4.6

All reviews are 5/5 stars praising the church community and biblical teaching. Parents consistently highlight the welcoming, family-oriented atmosphere and strong sense of belonging within the congregation.

Biblical teachingwelcoming communityfamily atmosphere
Address
275 W 29th Ave, Marion, IA
Phone
(319) 929-0151
Apple Kids
Before or After School Daycare
4.4

Apple Kids in Marion receives consistently excellent feedback from parents across all reviews. Parents praise the caring, patient staff who provide nurturing care from infancy through school age, with strong emphasis on child development, communication, and creating a secure environment. Families report high satisfaction with the facility's cleanliness, organized programs, and willingness to accommodate individual child needs.

Warm and caring staffpatient and attentive teachersstrong communication and photo/video updates
Address
600 10th Ave, Marion, IA
Phone
(319) 373-3808
Busy Bee Day Care INC
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.2

One parent describes a wonderful, small family-like atmosphere with dedicated teachers who know the children well, while another notes the reasonable pricing and convenient preschool integration. However, a single review cites an issue with billing for unattended care.

small class sizeslow staff turnoverknowledgeable teachers
Address
2650 10th St, Marion, IA
Phone
(319) 447-1061
Hand In Hand-Barrington
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.2

Hand in Hand Barrington has mostly very positive reviews from long-term families praising care quality, education, and staff compassion. However, two recent negative reviews detail discriminatory practices regarding children with disabilities, lack of contract transparency about potty training requirements, non-refundable fees, and safety concerns about pick-up procedures.

Caring and compassionate staffeducational quality exceeds expectationschildren well-prepare
Address
905 Barrington Pkwy, Marion, IA
Phone
(319) 377-5686
St Joseph Childcare
Before or After School Daycare
3
Address
1430 14th St, Marion, IA
Phone
(319) 377-6348
Our Little Haven
Child Daycare & Preschools
2.8

Our Little Haven receives mixed reviews with significant polarization. Positive reviews praise professional management, engaging activities, and open observation policies. However, negative reviews raise serious concerns about safety protocols, staff conduct, and child care responsiveness.

Professional managementengaging hands-on activitiesfriendly staff
Address
2770 18th Ave, Marion, IA
Phone
(319) 365-6144
Montessori School Of Marion
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
9000 C Ave, Marion, IA
Phone
(319) 640-9178
Hand In Hand-Novak
Before or After School Daycare

Hand in Hand-Novak is a school-based daycare in Marion, Iowa with overwhelmingly positive reviews praising staff care, education quality, and long-term family satisfaction. However, recent negative reviews highlight serious concerns about potty-training policies, lack of transparency in enrollment criteria, refund practices, and security procedures.

Caring and compassionate staffhigh-quality education exceeding expectationschildren well-prepared for kindergarten
Address
401 29th Ave, Marion, IA
Phone
(319) 560-3558
Kids INC-Marion
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
1100 35th St, Marion, IA
Phone
(319) 447-6316
Hand In Hand-35th Avenue
Child Daycare & Preschools

Hand in Hand-35th Avenue has received mostly positive reviews praising staff quality, curriculum, family engagement activities, and child development. However, two negative reviews raise serious concerns about staff management practices, child supervision, and safety protocols.

Caring and attentive staffknowledgeable teachersstrong curriculum and lesson plans
Address
3524 35th Ave, Marion, IA
Phone
(319) 373-3630
Hand In Hand-Wilkins
Before or After School Daycare

Hand in Hand-Wilkins receives mostly positive reviews from long-term families praising the quality of care, education, and staff compassion. However, two recent negative reviews cite discriminatory practices against children with disabilities, lack of transparency about potty-training requirements, non-refundable fees, and security concerns.

Loving and caring staffquality education that prepares children for kindergartenlong-term customer loyalty
Address
2127 27th St, Marion, IA
Phone
(319) 560-3191
Ascension Lutheran Preschool
Before or After School Daycare
Address
2210 Grand Ave, Marion, IA
Phone
(319) 373-1444
Hand In Hand-Indian Creek
Before or After School Daycare
Address
2900 Indian Creek Rd, Marion, IA
Phone
(319) 531-0858
Hand In Hand-Linn Grove Elem
Before or After School Daycare
Address
2301 50th St, Marion, IA
Phone
(319) 373-3630
Ymca-Echo Hill
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
400 Echo Hill Rd, Marion, IA
Phone
(319) 366-6421
Kids INC-Francis Marion Intermediate
Before or After School Daycare
Address
2301 3rd Ave, Marion, IA
Phone
(319) 929-0149
Hacap Head Start-Marion
Headstart Programs
Address
3405 7th Ave, Ste 100, Marion, IA
Phone
(319) 447-5816
Kids INC-Starry
Before or After School Daycare
Address
700 S 15th St, Marion, IA
Phone
(319) 929-0150
Longfellow Elem. - Kids INC.
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
2900 8th Av, Marion, IA
Phone
(319) 929-0151

Page 1 of 1· 20 results

Frequently asked questions

There are 20 all daycares in Marion, Iowa. Browse our directory to compare options and find the right fit for your child.
Based on parent reviews, daycares in Marion have an average Google rating of 4.03 out of 5 across 7 rated facilities. About 29% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in Marion, consider visiting facilities in person and checking:
  • Licensing status with Iowa's regulatory agency
  • Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in Iowa)
  • Safety measures and cleanliness
  • Daily routines and educational curriculum
  • Parent reviews and ratings
  • Location and hours that fit your schedule
Marion offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 8 facilities
  • Headstart Programs — 1 facilities
  • Church Daycare — 1 facilities
  • Before or After School Daycare — 10 facilities
Each type serves different needs — center-based facilities typically offer structured programs, while head start programs are federally funded for low-income families.
Daycare costs in Iowa typically range from $200 to $400 per week for full-time care, depending on the child's age, facility type, and location within the state. Infant care tends to be more expensive due to lower staff-to-child ratio requirements. Contact individual facilities in Marion for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Marion must be licensed by Iowa's childcare licensing agency. Licensed facilities are required to meet standards for safety, health, staff qualifications, and staff-to-child ratios. You can verify a facility's license status through your state's licensing database.