How do I choose the right daycare in Council Bluffs?

When choosing a daycare in Council Bluffs, 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 Council Bluffs?

Council Bluffs offers several types of childcare facilities: Child Daycare & Preschools — 19 facilities Headstart Programs — 2 facilities Church Daycare — 2 facilities Before or After School Daycare — 15 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 Council Bluffs, Iowa (19 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 Council Bluffs for current pricing.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Council Bluffs

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.

Montessori Children'S House

4.74 score

5(14)

400 Cloverdale Dr, Council Bluffs, IA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 35 children

Montessori Children's House receives universally positive feedback from parents who praise the caring, dedicated teaching staff and strong Montessori curriculum. Parents highlight significant academic and social growth in their children, along with a safe, welcoming environment that fosters a genuine love of learning.

Dedicated and caring teachersage-appropriate Montessori materialsindividualized learning at child's own paceseasonal shelf rotations

Beginning Memories Preschool

4.28 score

4.4(12)

2102 Avenue E, Council Bluffs, IA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 30 children

Beginning Memories Preschool in Council Bluffs receives consistently positive feedback from parents who praise the caring staff, particularly the director/owner known as 'Memory.' Parents highlight strong academic preparation for kindergarten, engaging activities including field trips and swimming, and a balance of structured learning with play-based activities.

Patient and caring staffstrong academic preparationwell-organized curriculumregular field trips and outdoor activities

Madison Early Head Start

3.89 score

3.8(6)

755 Madison Avenue, Council Bluffs, IA · Headstart Programs · Capacity: 32 children

Madison Early Head Start receives mixed reviews with significant concerns about safety and organization. While some parents praise the teachers and parent advocate as kind and helpful, multiple parents report serious issues with food allergies, disorganization, and poor communication.

Kind and understanding teachershelpful parent advocatesupportive assistance provided

Council Bluffs I, II, III Head Start

3.89 score

3.8(6)

765 Madison Ave, Council Bluffs, IA · Headstart Programs · Capacity: 60 children

Council Bluffs I, II, III Head Start receives mixed reviews. Positive feedback highlights helpful staff and kind teachers, while negative reviews raise serious concerns about disorganization, failure to accommodate food allergies, and unresponsive staff.

Helpful staffkind and understanding early head start teachersparent advocate support

Shea'S Learning Days Child Development Center LLC

3.45 score

3.1(8)

2308 Ave J, Council Bluffs, IA · Church Daycare · Capacity: 67 children

Shea's Learning Days has highly polarized reviews. Some parents report positive experiences with clean facilities, responsive staff, and good communication. However, the majority of reviews cite serious concerns including poor management, understaffing, staff turnover, and questionable business practices.

Clean facilityfriendly and responsive staffgood communication via appaccommodating to parent preferences

The Learning Journey II

3.24 score

2.7(7)

17544 Sunnydale Rd, Council Bluffs, IA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 80 children

THE LEARNING JOURNEY II receives mixed reviews with stark contrasts. Positive reviewers praise the learning environment, staff compassion, and cleanliness. However, multiple negative reviews cite safety concerns, arbitrary child dismissals, alleged staff disrespect, unfair treatment between scholarship and private-pay families, and potential violations of state childcare ratios.

Learning and play environmentcaring and compassionate staffclean facilitychildren enjoy attending

Child Daycare & Preschools in Council Bluffs, Iowa

There are 19 child daycare & preschools in Council Bluffs, Iowa, making up 50% of the 38 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 Council Bluffs, 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 19 child daycare & preschools daycares in Council Bluffs, Iowa, out of 38 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 Council Bluffs, 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

Council Bluffs offers several types of childcare facilities:

Child Daycare & Preschools — 19 facilities
Headstart Programs — 2 facilities
Church Daycare — 2 facilities
Before or After School Daycare — 15 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 Council Bluffs for current pricing.

Yes, daycare centers in Council Bluffs 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.

19 Child Daycare & Preschools in Council Bluffs, Iowa

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Council Bluffs

Top Rated

Montessori Children'S House

Love Kids Child Care Center LLC

Mother Goose Child Care & Preschool Site III

Beginning Memories Preschool

Ymca Early Learning Center - Charles E Lakin

Iowa Western Early Childhood Educ Ctr

Map

Daycare types in Council Bluffs

Browse by type in Council Bluffs