How do I choose the right daycare in Johnston?

When choosing a daycare in Johnston, 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

Child Daycare & Preschools in Johnston, Iowa (11 Results)

Q: What types of daycare are available in Johnston?

Johnston offers several types of childcare facilities: Child Daycare & Preschools — 11 facilities Before or After School Daycare — 9 facilities Each type serves different needs — center-based facilities typically offer structured programs, while head start programs are federally funded for low-income families.

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 Johnston for current pricing.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Johnston

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.

Cadence Academy Preschool

4.72 score

4.9(20)

5623 Nw 86th St, Suite 100, Johnston, IA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 114 children

Parents consistently praise Cadence Academy for its caring, experienced staff and welcoming family-like atmosphere. Children show strong social, emotional, and academic growth, and parents report feeling confident in their child's safety and well-being. The facility maintains a clean, secure environment and staff are described as accommodating and responsive to individual needs.

Caring and experienced staffwarm and welcoming atmospherestrong teacher-child relationshipschild safety and security

Loving Arms Children'S Center

4.52 score

4.7(14)

6270 Merle Hay Rd, Johnston, IA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 126 children

Loving Arms Children's Center receives consistently high praise from parents, with staff described as exceptionally caring, loving, and attentive to individual children's needs. Parents report their children are excited to attend, experience significant developmental growth, and benefit from well-planned learning activities and faith-based education. The center maintains strong communication with families and has successfully navigated recent leadership changes while maintaining core values.

Kind and welcoming staffopen-ended learning activitiesstrong communicationindividualized attention

Childserve Child Care Center

4.5 score

5(5)

5609 Greendale Rd, Johnston, IA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 154 children

ChildServe Child Care Center in Johnston receives unanimous 5-star ratings from parents who praise the facility highly. Parents consistently highlight the dedicated, long-standing staff and quality educational programs, with multiple families choosing to enroll multiple children over many years.

Caring and knowledgeable staffwarm facility environmentstrong educational programs (ADP curriculum)children learn and develop well

Childserve Johnston Day Health Center

4.48 score

4.6(20)

5406 Merle Hay Rd, Johnston, IA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 24 children

ChildServe Johnston Day Health Center receives exclusively positive reviews from parents and guardians. Reviewers consistently praise the specialized staff, therapeutic services, compassionate care, and individualized treatment plans. The facility is noted as exceptional for children with special needs and disabilities, with families reporting significant developmental progress and life-changing outcomes.

Loving and patient staffspecialized training for children wi

Meredith Drive Preschool-Bridge Campus

4.45 score

4.6(15)

10025 Nw 62nd Ave, Johnston, IA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 44 children

The reviews provided appear to be for a church rather than a daycare facility. No actual daycare reviews are available for Meredith Drive Preschool-Bridge Campus. The Google rating of 4.6/5 shows zero reviews, indicating these church reviews may have been submitted to the wrong listing.

Welcoming atmospheretalented music programcaring pastorsstrong sense of community and spiritual guidance

Rainbow Child Care Center

4.38 score

4.5(16)

8601 Thomas Avenue, Johnston, IA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 173 children

Parents consistently praise KinderCare Johnston for its professional, caring staff, strong communication with families, and comprehensive curriculum that supports child development. Multiple families highlight the leadership of Ashley and the welcoming environment that makes children excited to attend. All reviewers rate their experience highly, with many noting significant developmental progress compared to previous childcare arrangements.

Professional and caring staffexcellent parent communication via app and daily updatescomprehensive and curriculum-based learningsafe and clean environment

Little Dragon Preschool - Lawson

4.23 score

4.4(7)

5450 Nw 62nd Street, Johnston, IA · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: -999 children

Little Dragon Preschool receives mostly positive feedback, with parents praising the clean facility, attentive staff, age-appropriate activities, and affordable pricing. However, one parent reported their child with a speech delay and IEP was terminated from the program and experienced bullying incidents.

Clean and well-maintained facilitycaring and attentive teachersage-appropriate activitiesaffordable pricing

Little Dragon Preschool - Wallace

4.23 score

4.4(7)

6510 Nw 62nd Avenue, Johnston, IA · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: -999 children

Little Dragon Preschool receives mostly positive reviews praising the clean, well-maintained facility, caring and attentive staff, age-appropriate activities, and affordable pricing. However, one parent reported their child with a speech delay and IEP was terminated from the program and alleged the child experienced bullying.

Clean and well-maintained facilitycaring and attentive teachersaffordable pricingage-appropriate activities

As We Grow Childcare And Preschool

4.22 score

4.3(13)

10015 Nw 61st Place, Johnston, IA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 112 children

Parents consistently praise As We Grow for its caring, engaged staff and owner Amanda who demonstrates genuine passion for the children. The facility is noted for cleanliness, varied activities, strong communication through the Brightwheel app, and a supportive environment where children thrive developmentally. Multiple reviewers highlight their children's enthusiasm about attending and positive experiences over extended periods.

Caring and friendly staffengaged ownergood communication via app with photo updatesclean facility

Child Daycare & Preschools in Johnston, Iowa

There are 11 child daycare & preschools in Johnston, Iowa, making up 55% of the 20 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 Johnston, 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 11 child daycare & preschools daycares in Johnston, Iowa, out of 20 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 Johnston, 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

Johnston offers several types of childcare facilities:

Child Daycare & Preschools — 11 facilities
Before or After School Daycare — 9 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 Johnston for current pricing.

Yes, daycare centers in Johnston 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.

11 Child Daycare & Preschools in Johnston, Iowa