Children at daycare

873 Child Daycare & Preschools in Iowa

Browse 873 child daycare & preschools across Iowa. Find licensed daycare centers, compare options by city, and choose the best childcare for your family.

Choosing Daycare Centers in Iowa

Finding the right daycare center for your child is crucial. Understanding the landscape of childcare services in Iowa can make the decision-making process smoother.

Iowa has about 1,635 daycares providing essential child services for families in the state.

Compare the average fees charged by daycare centers in Iowa. Consider your budget while ensuring that the chosen daycare offers the necessary services and quality care.

Daycare Breakdown in Iowa

There are 1,635 daycares in Iowa: 163 headstart facilities, 444 before/after school centers, 155 religious facility daycares, and 873 childcare and preschool centers.

Childcare & Pre-school

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Headstart Programs

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Religious / Church Based Daycare

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Before or After School

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All Child Daycare & Preschools in Iowa

Showing 873 results

Mercy Child Development Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.3

Mercy Child Development Center in Des Moines receives uniformly positive feedback from parents who praise the caring and nurturing staff. Parents highlight the center's welcoming environment, strong teacher retention, cleanliness, and developmental activities that help children thrive. Multiple reviewers recommend it as the best childcare option in the Des Moines area.

Caring and attentive staffnurturing environmentlong-term staff retention (10-20 years)
Address
1150 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA
Phone
(515) 643-9090
First Steps Child Care Center Of Grimes
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.3
Address
441 Gateway Drive, Grimes, IA
Phone
(515) 986-0920
Roosevelt Community Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.3

Roosevelt Community Center is a highly-regarded multi-purpose facility in Davenport's West End that houses various programs including a Headstart pre-school program. Parents praise the caring teachers, diverse amenities, and strong community focus. The center offers youth programs, fitness facilities, and serves as an important neighborhood resource.

Caring and supportive teacherswell-maintained facilitydiverse activities and programs for children and families
Address
1220 Minnie Avenue, Davenport, IA
Phone
(563) 888-2056
Baxter Early Learning Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.3
Address
110 N High St, Baxter, IA
Phone
(641) 227-3811
Bill Reagan Children'S Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.3
Address
2620 Muscatine Ave, Iowa City, IA
Phone
(319) 351-5017
College Community Ecc-Prairie Ridge
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.2

College Community ECC-Prairie Ridge receives mixed reviews. Parents praise the leadership, affordability, and overall quality, though concerns about food quality, racism, and student behavior are mentioned by some families.

Outstanding administrationaffordable pricinggood quality care
Address
401 76th Ave Sw, Cedar Rapids, IA
Phone
(319) 848-5295
Andrew Little Leaders Daycare
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.2

Andrew Little Leaders Daycare in Andrew, Iowa has mixed reviews. Most parents praise the safe, caring environment, well-maintained facilities, and organized programs. However, serious concerns have been raised regarding discriminatory treatment, inadequate academic instruction, and poor handling of racial incidents.

Safe and caring environmentwell-maintained facilitiesorganized events
Address
13 S Marion St, Andrew, IA
Phone
(563) 672-3223
Mahaska Ymca After School Program
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.2

Parents praise the Mahaska YMCA After School Program for its excellent facilities, including a full gym and basketball court. Staff members are consistently described as friendly, welcoming, and attentive. The program offers quality activities including Zumba classes and preschool services with caring instructors.

High-quality facilitiesfriendly and welcoming staffpersonalized customer service
Address
1801 Orchard Ave, Oskaloosa, IA
Phone
(641) 673-7409
Busy Bee Day Care INC
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.2
Address
2650 10th St, Marion, IA
Phone
(319) 447-1061
Scott County Family Y - North
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.2

Parents praise the YMCA facility for its friendly staff, clean environment, and recent upgrades including new equipment and LED lighting. The childcare and after-school programs are well-regarded, though some note facility maintenance and youth behavior issues. Overall, parents appreciate it as a safe, multi-purpose facility for families.

Friendly and helpful staffclean facilitiesrecent upgrades and new equipment
Address
624 W 53rd St, Davenport, IA
Phone
(563) 323-5725
Kids Academy Of Bondurant
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.2

Parents consistently praise Kids Academy of Bondurant (also referred to as Bloom) for its caring and professional staff, safe environment, and positive impact on children's development. The center receives high marks for communication, extended hours (6:30am-6pm), planned activities, and transportation services to local preschools. All recent reviews are 5-star ratings reflecting strong parent satisfaction.

caring and attentive staffchild safety and wellbeingprompt communication
Address
119b Brick St Se, Bondurant, IA
Phone
(515) 967-2063
Generation Next-Prairie Trail Ankeny
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.2
Address
1715 Sw Plaza Parkway, Ankeny, IA
Phone
(515) 965-1715
Leaps And Bounds Children'S Academy INC
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.2

Leaps and Bounds receives predominantly positive feedback with parents praising the staff, owner Mark, communication, and learning environment. However, two serious concerns were raised regarding director behavior toward children and alleged inappropriate physical contact with children.

Excellent staff and teachersaccommodating to special needsstrong communication via Bright Wheel app
Address
1901 Bell Ave, Ste 5, Des Moines, IA
Phone
(515) 243-2929
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
Uihc Child Care And Early Education Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.2
Address
109 Westlawn S, Bldg Newton, Iowa City, IA
Phone
(319) 335-9666
Full Circle Child Development Center LLC
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.2

Full Circle receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from current parents, with praise for caring staff, clean facilities, strong communication, and children's happiness and development. However, two negative reviews cite concerns about management professionalism, staff turnover, cleanliness, safety protocols, and facility condition. The majority of reviews (8 of 10) rate the center 5/5 stars.

caring and passionate teachersexcellent communication with parents via
Address
9375 Bishop Dr, West Des Moines, IA
Phone
(515) 987-9642
St Paul'S Lutheran Early Childhood Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.2
Address
1500 N 16th St, Council Bluffs, IA
Phone
(712) 322-3294
Little Panther Daycare & Preschool
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.2
Address
601 Panther Dr, Panora, IA
Phone
(641) 755-3003
Tender Heart Preschool & Child Care
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.2
Address
10000 Meredith Dr, Urbandale, IA
Phone
(515) 309-3390
Muscatine Csd - Jefferson Preschool
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.2
Address
1000 Mulberry Ave., Muscatine, IA
Phone
(563) 263-9049
Childserve Child Care - Ames
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.2
Address
1915 Philadelphia St, Ames, IA
Phone
(515) 817-2236
Diamond Trail Children'S Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.2
Address
301 East St, Lynnville, IA
Phone
(641) 527-2200
Abc Learning Early Childhood Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.2
Address
15 Nightengale Ln, Dubuque, IA
Phone
(563) 583-6654
University Kids LLC
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.1
Address
111 Desoto Rd, Van Meter, IA
Phone
(515) 996-9141
Generation Next-Abp
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.1

Generation Next-ABP Urbandale receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from most parents, with five 5-star reviews praising the dedicated, long-tenured staff and strong developmental outcomes for children. One 1-star review raises serious concerns about the facility's handling of a child's severe food allergies and overall responsiveness to parent inquiries.

Experienced and stable staff (some for decades)excellent leadership (Paula and Kristy)child development and language skills
Address
4401 114th St, Urbandale, IA
Phone
(515) 251-7930
Kid Time Connections INC Dba The Birds Nest
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.1

The Birds Nest receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from most parents who praise the staff's enthusiasm, engaging activities, and supportive environment. However, one parent reported the facility refused to accommodate their nephew with an intellectual disability after the first day without proper communication. Overall ratings are strong but with a significant concern about inclusion of children with special needs.

welcoming and enthusiastic staffvaried and f
Address
500 Grant St S, Bondurant, IA
Phone
(515) 957-1386
West Des Moines Child Care Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.1

Parents consistently praise New Creations Child Care Center for its caring, welcoming staff and clean facilities. Children are reported to be happy, comfortable, and well-cared for, with frequent communication and photo updates provided to parents. The director Halie and teaching staff are specifically highlighted as exceptional and loving.

Caring and loving staffresponsive director and teachersclean facility
Address
1721 25th St, Suite 200, West Des Moines, IA
Phone
(515) 225-6115
The Nannies Unlimited
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.1

The Nannies Unlimited receives consistently high praise from parents who appreciate the caring, stable staff and safe environment. Parents report their children thrive academically and socially, with many noting successful transitions to kindergarten. Families feel confident leaving their children in the care of dedicated teachers and responsive directors.

Experienced and stable staff with low turnovercaring and personable teacherssafe environment
Address
6393 Ne Rising Sun Dr, Pleasant Hill, IA
Phone
(515) 264-8288
The Hiawatha Day School
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.1

Parents consistently praise The Hiawatha Day School for its caring, attentive staff, structured educational curriculum, and family-like atmosphere with low staff turnover. The facility is noted for cleanliness, security, homemade meals, and enriching activities including music programs, field trips, and community engagement. While more expensive than competitors, parents feel the quality of care and education justifies the cost.

Caring and attentive staffstrong communicationlow staff turnover
Address
1771 Boyson Square Dr, Hiawatha, IA
Phone
(319) 832-1402
Cr Goose Dba Mother Goose Daycare & Preschool
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.1
Address
4840 Richmar Ct Nw, Cedar Rapids, IA
Phone
(319) 396-2232

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Frequently asked questions

There are 873 child daycare & preschools daycares across Iowa. Browse by city to find options near you.
All licensed daycare facilities in Iowa are listed in our directory. You can also verify a facility's license status through Iowa's childcare licensing agency. Licensed facilities must meet state standards for safety, health, staff-to-child ratios, and staff qualifications.
When comparing daycare options in Iowa, consider:
  • Licensing status and inspection history
  • Staff-to-child ratios (Iowa sets minimum requirements by age group)
  • Staff qualifications and training
  • Safety measures and facility cleanliness
  • Parent reviews and Google ratings
  • Curriculum and daily schedule
  • Location, hours, and cost
Daycare costs in Iowa vary by location, child's age, and facility type. Full-time center-based care typically ranges from $150 to $400+ per week. Infant care is generally more expensive due to lower staff-to-child ratio requirements. Urban areas tend to have higher costs than rural areas.