How do I choose the right daycare in Ames?

When choosing a daycare in Ames, 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

What types of daycare are available in Ames?

Ames offers several types of childcare facilities: Child Daycare & Preschools — 13 facilities Church Daycare — 2 facilities Before or After School Daycare — 6 facilities Each type serves different needs — center-based facilities typically offer structured programs, while head start programs are federally funded for low-income families.

Child Daycare & Preschools in Ames, Iowa (13 Results)

Q: What is the average cost of daycare in Iowa?

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 Ames for current pricing.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Ames

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.

Acpc-St Cecilia

4.64 score

4.8(20)

2900 Hoover Ave, Ames, IA · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: 22 children

Reviews praise ACPC-ST CECILIA as an excellent Catholic community institution with a strong elementary school program. Parents highlight the welcoming atmosphere, compassionate staff, and priest, along with beautiful facilities and diverse programming including Spanish-language services.

Welcoming and compassionate environmentexcellent elementary schoolbeautiful church and chapelSpanish Mass available

University Community Childcare INC

4.55 score

5(6)

2623 Bruner Dr/100 University Village, Ames, IA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 112 children

Parents consistently praise UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY CHILDCARE INC for its caring, dedicated staff who go above and beyond their duties. The facility is noted for being clean and well-equipped despite affordable tuition rates, with engaging activities including special guests and field trips. Parents appreciate the welcoming environment and staff's attentiveness to individual needs like food allergies.

Caring and professional staffclean and well-equipped classroomsaffordable tuition ratesnon-profit organization

Prairie Flower Children'S Center

4.5 score

5(5)

2807 Duff Ave, Ames, IA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 20 children

Parents praise Prairie Flower Children's Center for its nature-based outdoor learning environment that fosters children's curiosity and confidence. The center is noted for its caring staff, welcoming atmosphere, and emphasis on unstructured outdoor play as an alternative to digital-focused activities. All reviewers highly recommend the facility.

outdoor learning opportunitiesnature-based curriculumstaff kindness and caringwelcoming environment

Formative Years Growing And Learning Center

4.16 score

4.3(6)

4510 Todd Dr, Ames, IA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 128 children

Formative Years receives mostly positive feedback, with parents praising caring teachers, individual attention, and enriching activities like field trips. However, a few parents reported serious concerns about supervision, safety issues with mixed age groups, facility size, and food quality.

caring and attentive teachersindividual attention to childrenfun field trips and activitieschildren enjoy attending

Acpc-Main Center

4.12 score

4.2(7)

920 Carroll Ave, Ames, IA · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: 150 children

ACPC-MAIN CENTER receives overwhelmingly positive reviews, with parents praising the caring staff, safe environment, structured curriculum, and positive impact on children's development and behavior. Parents highlight improvements in their children's confidence, happiness, and social skills. Cost is a concern for some families.

caring and kind staffsafe environmentsmall class sizes1:1 attention

Play And Learn Children'S Center

4.07 score

4.1(13)

301 Alexander Ave, Ste A, Ames, IA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 94 children

Play and Learn Children's Center receives overwhelmingly positive reviews, with parents praising the attentive and caring staff, clean facility, and strong developmental support for children. The new ownership is credited with improvements to the center. One negative review describes a serious incident involving inadequate supervision of an aggressive toddler in the infant room.

Clean facilityattentive and friendly staffstaff know children by namegood communication with parents

Child Daycare & Preschools in Ames, Iowa

There are 13 child daycare & preschools in Ames, Iowa, making up 62% of the 21 total childcare facilities in the city. Below you'll find a complete directory to help you compare and choose the right daycare for your child.

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

Frequently asked questions

There are 13 child daycare & preschools daycares in Ames, Iowa, out of 21 total childcare facilities in the city. Browse our directory to compare options and find the right fit for your child.

When choosing a daycare in Ames, 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

Ames offers several types of childcare facilities:

Child Daycare & Preschools — 13 facilities
Church Daycare — 2 facilities
Before or After School Daycare — 6 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 Ames for current pricing.

Yes, daycare centers in Ames 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.

13 Child Daycare & Preschools in Ames, Iowa

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Ames

Top Rated

University Community Childcare INC

Prairie Flower Children'S Center

Eagle'S Loft Early Learning Center

Lilypad Learning Center, Ames Research Park

Formative Years Growing And Learning Center

Vet Med Child Care Center

Map

Daycare types in Ames

Browse by type in Ames