Best Child Daycare & Preschools in Waukee, IA
Compare 11 child daycare & preschools in Waukee. Average rating: 4.11/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.
Waukee, Iowa at a glance
- Programs
- 11
- Avg rating
- 4.11/5
- Parent reviews
- 168
- Top rated (4.5+)
- 6
Waukee has 11 licensed child daycare & preschools with 168 parent reviews averaging 4.11/5.6 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 50% of rated programs, well above average.The largest concentration is in 50263 with 18 programs.Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.
Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Waukee
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.
- 1Hope Waukee Preschool4.4 score4.5(20)
305 Dartmoor Dr, Waukee, IA · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: 48 children
The reviews provided are not for the daycare's services, but rather for the affiliated church's worship services and programs. Reviewers praise the modern facility, quality sermons, welcoming staff, and community programs like Celebrate Recovery and veterans memorials.
Modern and efficient building designexcellent acousticsquality sermons and spiritual leadershipwelcoming and helpful staff - 2West Side Kids INC4.35 score4.5(12)
255 Ne Dartmoor Dr, Waukee, IA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 148 children
West Side Kids Inc receives consistently positive feedback from parents across all reviews. Parents praise the caring and friendly staff, clean facility, educational programs, and smooth transitions between classroom levels. Children reportedly enjoy attending and are well-prepared for kindergarten.
Friendly and caring staffclean facilityindoor gymsmooth transitions between rooms - 3Westview Church Preschool4.34 score4.5(11)
1155 Se Boone Dr, Waukee, IA · Church Daycare · Capacity: 70 children
Reviews praise Westview Church Preschool for its friendly and nurturing atmosphere, community involvement, and welcoming staff. Parents appreciate the religious environment and pastoral leadership. However, reviews appear to focus more on church services and community aspects than specific daycare/preschool programming details.
Friendly managementnurturing atmospherecommunity involvementwelcoming people - 4Waukee Family Ymca Before & After School-Eason3.92 score3.9(20)
605 Se Boone Dr, Waukee, IA · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: 150 children
This YMCA facility is highly rated by members for its modern amenities, clean environment, and welcoming staff. Parents appreciate the structured kids' programming and free childcare services available during workouts. However, some members report issues with equipment maintenance, slow internet connectivity, and overcrowding during peak hours.
friendly and helpful staffclean facilitymodern equipmentpool with multiple diving options - 5Waukee Family Ymca Before & After School-Waukee3.92 score3.9(20)
850 6th Street, Waukee, IA · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: 150 children
This is a YMCA facility with before and after school care, not a traditional daycare center. Reviews praise the family-friendly atmosphere, clean modern facility, friendly staff, and diverse programming including pool access, classes, and organized kids activities. However, some members report frustrations with equipment maintenance, slow internet, overcrowding during peak times, and wear on weight room equipment.
Clean facilityfriendly and helpful staffmodern eq - 6Waukee Family Ymca Academic Preschool3.92 score3.9(20)
900 Warrior Lane, Waukee, IA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 45 children
Reviews describe this as a well-maintained family fitness facility with friendly staff and diverse programming for children and adults. Parents appreciate the comprehensive amenities including pools, gym equipment, and organized activities. However, some note concerns about equipment maintenance, internet connectivity, and overcrowding.
Clean facilityfriendly and helpful staffmodern equipmentpool with multiple features - 7First Steps Child Care Center3.85 score3.8(14)
95 Laurel St, Waukee, IA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 121 children
Parents overwhelmingly praise First Steps Child Care Center in Waukee for its caring, attentive staff and strong communication. The facility is noted for accommodating special needs, maintaining a family-friendly atmosphere, and providing a nurturing environment where children are happy and engaged. Multiple families have entrusted all their children to the center and highly recommend it.
Kind and caring staffexcellent communicationaccommodating to special needsphotos/updates of activities
Rating Distribution
Based on 12 daycares with Google ratings in Waukee
What Parents Value Most
Top qualities mentioned across 168 reviews, analyzed by AI
Daycare Types Compared
Average ratings by facility type in Waukee, based on parent reviews
Best Rated Neighborhoods
Waukee zip codes ranked by average daycare rating
| Zip Code | Daycares | Avg. Rating | Top Rated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50263 | 18 | 4.11 | 6 |
Facility Sizes
Capacity distribution of daycares in Waukee (24–245 children)
Small
up to 30 children
4
Medium
31–75 children
4
Large
76–150 children
8
Very Large
150+ children
2
Top Rated
Highest rated daycares in Waukee based on parent reviews
New Beginnings Childcare
100 4th St, Waukee, IA
Parents highlight the center's loving environment and experienced staff, noting that children enjoyed attending and felt cared for by dedicated teachers. While most feedback is highly positive, one reviewer expressed concern about trusting a specific teacher named Caitlyn Cox, though they noted multiple staff members are present in each room.
Little Wonders Child Care & Learning Center
145 Ne Dartmoor, Waukee, IA
One parent highlights the facility's large, safe, and clean environment with trained staff and enriching programs like healthy eating and exercise, while another notes the kind and caring nature of the staff. A third review offers only a brief affirmation without additional detail.
West Side Kids INC
255 Ne Dartmoor Dr, Waukee, IA
West Side Kids Inc receives consistently positive feedback from parents across all reviews. Parents praise the caring and friendly staff, clean facility, educational programs, and smooth transitions between classroom levels. Children reportedly enjoy attending and are well-prepared for kindergarten.
Gan Shalom
33158 Ute Avenue, Waukee, IA
Kids Company INC
75 Fourth Street, Waukee, IA
Waukee Family Ymca Academic Preschool
900 Warrior Lane, Waukee, IA
Reviews describe this as a well-maintained family fitness facility with friendly staff and diverse programming for children and adults. Parents appreciate the comprehensive amenities including pools, gym equipment, and organized activities. However, some note concerns about equipment maintenance, internet connectivity, and overcrowding.
Map
Daycare types in Waukee
Browse by type in Waukee
Child Daycare & Preschools in Waukee, Iowa
There are 11 child daycare & preschools in Waukee, Iowa, making up 61% of the 18 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.
Based on Google reviews, daycares in Waukee have an average rating of 4.11 out of 5 across 12 rated facilities, with 50% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Church Daycare facilities lead with an average of 4.5 stars. Our analysis covers 168 parent reviews.
When choosing a daycare in Waukee, consider visiting facilities in person, checking their licensing status, and asking about staff-to-child ratios, daily routines, and safety policies.
All Child Daycare & Preschools in Waukee
Showing 11 results
Parents highlight the center's loving environment and experienced staff, noting that children enjoyed attending and felt cared for by dedicated teachers. While most feedback is highly positive, one reviewer expressed concern about trusting a specific teacher named Caitlyn Cox, though they noted multiple staff members are present in each room.
- Address
- 100 4th St, Waukee, IA
- Phone
- (515) 987-2352
- Address
- 33158 Ute Avenue, Waukee, IA
- Phone
- (515) 987-0899
One parent highlights the facility's large, safe, and clean environment with trained staff and enriching programs like healthy eating and exercise, while another notes the kind and caring nature of the staff. A third review offers only a brief affirmation without additional detail.
- Address
- 145 Ne Dartmoor, Waukee, IA
- Phone
- (515) 987-0443
West Side Kids Inc receives consistently positive feedback from parents across all reviews. Parents praise the caring and friendly staff, clean facility, educational programs, and smooth transitions between classroom levels. Children reportedly enjoy attending and are well-prepared for kindergarten.
- Address
- 255 Ne Dartmoor Dr, Waukee, IA
- Phone
- (515) 978-0322
- Address
- 75 Fourth Street, Waukee, IA
- Phone
- (515) 987-4043
Reviews describe this as a well-maintained family fitness facility with friendly staff and diverse programming for children and adults. Parents appreciate the comprehensive amenities including pools, gym equipment, and organized activities. However, some note concerns about equipment maintenance, internet connectivity, and overcrowding.
- Address
- 900 Warrior Lane, Waukee, IA
- Phone
- (515) 868-0507
Parents overwhelmingly praise First Steps Child Care Center in Waukee for its caring, attentive staff and strong communication. The facility is noted for accommodating special needs, maintaining a family-friendly atmosphere, and providing a nurturing environment where children are happy and engaged. Multiple families have entrusted all their children to the center and highly recommend it.
- Address
- 95 Laurel St, Waukee, IA
- Phone
- (515) 987-2482
- Address
- 650 Ashworth Dr, Waukee, IA
- Phone
- (515) 987-4531
Parents consistently praise The Goddard School of Waukee for its warm, nurturing environment and highly educated, engaged staff. Children show strong academic progress and social-emotional development, with many entering kindergarten performing above grade level. Leadership (owner Liz and director Holly) are noted for their personal attention to families and staff retention.
- Address
- 80 Ne Carefree Lane, Waukee, IA
- Phone
- (515) 297-6555
Traditions Children's Center VI in Waukee receives consistently excellent reviews from parents who praise the warm, caring staff and safe, organized environment. Parents highlight strong teacher-child connections, effective communication through the app, quality educational preparation for kindergarten, and special touches like holiday events. Multiple families report long-term enrollment spanning several years and would recommend the center to others.
- Address
- 1195 Se University Ave, Waukee, IA
- Phone
- (515) 216-2550
- Address
- 655 Se University Ave, Waukee, IA
- Phone
- (515) 987-5161
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Frequently asked questions
- 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 — 11 facilities
- Headstart Programs — 1 facilities
- Church Daycare — 1 facilities
- Before or After School Daycare — 5 facilities