
Browse 873 child daycare & preschools across Iowa. Find licensed daycare centers, compare options by city, and choose the best childcare for your family.
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.
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.
| Daycare Type | Total |
|---|---|
| Childcare & Pre-school | 873 |
| Headstart Programs | 163 |
| Religious / Church Based Daycare | 155 |
| Before or After School | 444 |
Showing 873 results
One parent highlights the nurturing environment, exceptional preschool curriculum, and loving staff, noting their child thrived academically and socially. In contrast, a separate review reports serious safety concerns, including a teacher allegedly hitting a child, unauthorized access to vehicles, and a DHS call, leading to immediate removal.
Story Time Preschool & Child Care has highly polarized reviews. Long-term parents praise the caring staff, individualized attention to children with special needs, and professional atmosphere. However, new parents report serious concerns including staff yelling and profanity, physical aggression toward children, poor hygiene, disorganization, and dismissive management responses to complaints.
One parent highlights the center as a safe, educational environment with excellent, qualified staff and engaging curriculum. Conversely, another parent reports significant communication issues, including unreturned calls and inconsistent phone policies for parents, while also criticizing the pricing and facility type.
A Child's World in Estherville, Iowa receives unanimous praise from parents across all 10 reviews (5/5 ratings). Parents consistently highlight caring and attentive staff, safe and clean facilities, good communication throughout the day, and reasonable pricing. Multiple families stayed for several years and found the daycare well-prepared children for elementary school.
Little Endeavors in Ankeny is highly regarded by parents with all reviews rating it 5/5 stars. Parents consistently praise the caring, dedicated teachers and director Sara for creating a nurturing, educational environment where children thrive. The center is commended for strong communication, age-appropriate curriculum, creative activities, and professional management.
One parent highlights the school's excellent staff, safety measures, and engaging educational programming, while another describes the environment as kind and respectful. However, a third review warns that the facility is not an accredited Montessori school, noting it is a preschool using Montessori methods, and a fourth review raises concerns about the lack of a website and unwelcoming behavior in the parking lot.
Parents consistently praise Uncle Sam's Federal Child Care Center (also referred to as All Star Daycare) for its caring staff and family-like environment. Director Karen is frequently highlighted for her attentiveness, professionalism, and support with child development and special needs. Multiple parents report significant child growth, smooth transitions, and strong staff-child relationships.
Parents highlight the center's engaging hands-on curriculum, strong teacher retention, and effective communication, noting that children thrive in the screen-free environment. Conversely, one reviewer reported a negative experience regarding unresponsive enrollment inquiries.
Parents highlight the center's warm, caring community and highly attentive staff, with one reviewer noting exceptional educational value and safety standards. However, a single negative review warns of a poorly treated director and questions the nonprofit board's oversight, advising against the facility for those seeking a safe environment.
Parents highlight the center's longstanding reputation, engaging curriculum, and dedicated staff, with one reviewer noting significant developmental progress and enjoyable off-site activities. Conversely, a single negative experience cites management unresponsiveness and concerns regarding a child's health and safety.
Some parents highlight the facility as a nice place with friendly and attentive staff, noting their children enjoy attending. In contrast, one review alleges severe operational failures, including dirty conditions, maintenance issues like mold and broken toilets, and unprofessional leadership.
All Star Day Care in Des Moines receives consistently high praise from parents. The daycare, led by director Karen, is recognized for its family-like atmosphere, individualized attention, caring staff, and support with child development and special needs. Parents highlight smooth transitions, strong emotional bonds between staff and children, and a welcoming environment.
A Child's World in West Des Moines receives consistently high praise from parents across multiple years of enrollment. Parents highlight the caring and nurturing staff, safe and clean facility, strong communication throughout the day, and reasonable pricing. Multiple families report their children were well-prepared for elementary school and expressed difficulty leaving the center when relocating.
ST AMBROSE UNIV CHILDREN'S CAMPUS receives mostly positive reviews praising staff quality, care, and community involvement. However, one parent expressed significant concerns about classroom reorganization, overcrowding, and inflexible contract policies following administrative changes.
One parent describes the center as caring and accommodating, noting that multiple children from their family attend. Another positive review highlights the personal connection of having friends and family staffed there. Conversely, a single negative experience involves an employee verbally abusing a child, which was cited as highly unprofessional.
Parents consistently praise Kids Kampus Learning Center for its caring, well-trained staff, active learning environment, and responsive leadership. The facility receives high marks for child development, safety, cleanliness, and strong communication with parents. Recent new ownership has been credited with positive changes and improvements.
One parent highlights the center's accommodating nature, reassuring communication, and use of an app to share daily updates, while another reviewer reports being asked to withdraw their child from a state-funded preschool program after only seven hours due to unpreparedness in handling a diagnosed disability.
Parents consistently praise Learning Grove Academy (also called The Education Station) for its nurturing, play-based environment and highly attentive staff. All reviews are 5-star ratings highlighting strong communication through their app, engaging enrichment activities, and the genuine care teachers show for children. Multiple families report returning or planning to enroll additional children.
Active Minds Early Learning Academy receives highly polarized reviews. Most parents praise the clean facility, caring staff, security cameras, and educational STEAM activities, with several reporting they drove out of their way to continue enrollment. However, a significant minority report serious concerns including unprofessional management, a lice outbreak that wasn't disclosed to parents, and a critical medication error requiring hospitalization.
Feedback for Growing Bear Day Care & Preschool Inc is mixed, with one parent highlighting seven years of positive experiences involving caring teachers and effective preschool education. Conversely, other parents report negative experiences, citing that the center struggles to accommodate children with disabilities or behavioral challenges, resulting in unfair treatment and premature removal from the program.
Parents praise the Mahaska County YMCA's childcare program for its clean facility, friendly and attentive staff, and convenient service that allows parents to work out while children are supervised. The center offers swimming lessons, various kids' activities, and flexible hours starting at 5 AM on weekdays. Parents appreciate the affordable pricing and willingness to work with families on payment.
I CARE Child Care & Preschool receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from most parents, who praise the warm, caring staff and welcoming atmosphere. The owner, Ms. Iris, is frequently highlighted for her dedication and personal touch. However, one parent reported significant concerns about the center's inability to accommodate special needs and unprofessional handling of their situation.
Several parents highlight the center's warm, family-like atmosphere and excellent staff, noting that children arrive excited and leave happy and calm. However, a single review reports severe supervision failures involving unexplained injuries to a child.
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.
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