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

Mother Goose Learning Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.6

Mother Goose Learning Center receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents, with nearly all reviewers praising the caring and organized staff, strong educational curriculum, and child development progress. Parents consistently highlight the friendly atmosphere, creative activities, and professionalism of the facility and its owner Pamela. One negative review was submitted without specific details.

caring and patient stafforganized and professionalstrong educational curriculum
Address
1355 Boyson Loop, Hiawatha, IA
Phone
(319) 832-1247
Faith Lutheran Preschool & Childcare Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.6

Faith Lutheran Preschool & Childcare Center in Shell Rock, Iowa receives consistently positive feedback. Parents and community members praise the welcoming, caring atmosphere and appreciate the various programs and services offered.

welcoming environmentcaring congregationcommunity connection opportunities
Address
422 N Prairie St, Shell Rock, IA
Phone
(319) 885-4546
Ncjc-Pheasant Ridge
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.6
Address
2651 Roberts Rd, Iowa City, IA
Phone
(319) 354-2886
Cadence Academy Preschool
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.6

Cadence Academy Preschool in Iowa City receives consistently high praise from parents across all reviews. Parents highlight the professional and caring staff, engaging curriculum with weekly lesson plans, clean facilities, and strong communication through daily updates. Multiple families have enrolled multiple children and remained long-term clients, citing the warm environment and individual attention to each child's needs.

Professional and caring staffClean and organized facilityWeekly lesson plans and curriculum
Address
325 S Dubuque St, Iowa City, IA
Phone
(319) 621-7349
Ywca Of Black Hawk County Child Care
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.6

The YWCA of Black Hawk County offers a wide variety of programs and activities for children and families including dance, martial arts, swimming lessons, and after-school programs. Parents consistently praise the friendly staff, affordable pricing, flexible scheduling, and inclusive community environment. The facility provides convenient transportation for some programs and scholarships to ensure accessibility.

Variety of programs and activitiesfriendly and helpful
Address
425 Lafayette St, Waterloo, IA
Phone
(319) 234-7589
Kidsville Early Learning Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.6
Address
1009 First St W, Independence, IA
Phone
(319) 334-4286
Centerville Csd-Mrs. Kaster'S Pre-K
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.6
Address
838 South 18th Street, Centerville, IA
Phone
(641) 895-4471
American Home Finding Child Care Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.6
Address
501 E 2nd St, Ottumwa, IA
Phone
(641) 683-4444
Lil' Hands Big Dreams
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.6

Parents consistently praise Lil' Hands Big Dreams for its warm, caring environment led by owners Brian and Mary. The center is known for creative, hands-on learning activities including sensory, musical, and artistic programs, combined with strong curriculum instruction. Multiple parents report high satisfaction with staff quality and daily communication through the Brightwheel app.

Caring and loving stafflaid-back atmospherecreative and hands-on activities
Address
810 North Avenue, Norwalk, IA
Phone
(515) 971-4430
2 For U Childcare West LLC
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.6

Parents consistently praise 2 for U Childcare West for its caring, engaged staff who treat children with genuine affection and personal attention. The center offers a well-rounded educational program with activities, field trips, and communication tools that keep parents informed. Multiple families report long-term satisfaction, with some enrolling children across multiple age groups over many years.

Caring and attentive staffeducational activities and curriculum
Address
720 S 68th St, West Des Moines, IA
Phone
(515) 225-3603
Mary Elizabeth Child Care & Preschool
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.6

Mary Elizabeth Child Care & Preschool receives mostly positive ratings, with parents reporting that children enjoy attending and learn well. However, one former parent raised serious concerns about food safety and classroom management practices.

Children enjoy attendinglearning opportunitieslong-term enrollment indicates satisfaction
Address
814 Court St, Sioux City, IA
Phone
(712) 258-1605
Kids Place Day Care
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.6

Parents consistently praise Kids Place Day Care for providing a nurturing, supportive environment where children develop physically and intellectually. Staff are described as kind, courteous, and professional, with children feeling safe and engaged in age-appropriate learning activities.

Supportive and nurturing relationships with teacherspositive learning environmentage-appropriate activities
Address
103 Central St, Ste 100, Glenwood, IA
Phone
(712) 527-5264
Holy Rosary Montessori
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.6

These reviews appear to be for a Catholic parish/church rather than a daycare center. Reviewers consistently praise the welcoming atmosphere, friendly congregation, and the priest (Father Dan) for his meaningful homilies and kind demeanor.

Welcoming and friendly staffinspiring spiritual leadershipnice facility
Address
24116 Marian Ave, Glenwood, IA
Phone
(712) 527-5211
Altoona Kidsworld Daycare-Preschool INC #2
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.6

Altoona Kidsworld Daycare #2 receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with parents praising the caring and dedicated staff, strong learning environment, and open-door policy. Multiple families have enrolled multiple children and grandchildren at the center. One negative review cited a child's unhappiness and billing/administrative issues.

Caring and dedicated staffchildren love attendingstrong learning outcomes
Address
630 8th St Se, Altoona, IA
Phone
(515) 967-1009
Kids Company Of Clive
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.6

Parents consistently praise Kids Company of Clive as a family-owned, locally-operated daycare that provides creative programming, caring staff, and genuine attention to individual children. Reviews highlight the contrast with larger corporate daycares, emphasizing strong staff retention, well-planned activities, and excellent kindergarten preparation. Multiple families report their children are excited to attend daily and experience significant developmental growth.

Address
1306 Nw 138th St, Clive, IA
Phone
(515) 223-0204
Meredith Drive Preschool-Bridge Campus
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.6

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 pastors
Address
10025 Nw 62nd Ave, Johnston, IA
Phone
(515) 276-4901
Beautiful Beginnings
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.6
Address
1701 W Jester Park Dr, Polk City, IA
Phone
(515) 984-6146
Tender Years Daycare 5
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.6

Tender Years Daycare 5 receives mostly positive reviews praising the caring staff and quality teaching, particularly highlighting teacher Amanda Carder. However, one parent reported a negative experience involving staff yelling at children and problematic billing practices.

Caring and responsive staffknowledgeable teacherssummer activities and pool access
Address
415 W Bridge Rd, Polk City, IA
Phone
(515) 984-6147
America'S Children Of Oakmoor
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.6

America's Children of Oakmoor receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with parents praising the caring and skilled staff who focus on social-emotional development, independence, and kindness. The center is described as a 'hidden gem' with happy children, daily outdoor play, and structured learning activities. One parent raised serious concerns about supervision and unreported injuries.

caring and skilled staffsocial-emotional skill developmentindependence training
Address
4731 Merle Hay Rd, Des Moines, IA
Phone
(515) 270-2220
Hand In Hand
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.6

Hand in Hand is a highly-rated center-based daycare in Bettendorf that parents consistently praise for its caring, attentive staff and inclusive approach to children of all abilities. The facility is noted for its bright environment, thoughtful activity planning, and ability to help children develop new skills while being accepted for who they are.

Excellent staffcaring and loving environmentinclusive of all abilities and neurodivergent children
Address
3860 Middle Rd, Bettendorf, IA
Phone
(563) 332-8010
Little Angel'S Child Care And Preschool
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.6

Parents consistently praise Little Angel's Child Care and Preschool for its responsive, caring staff and clean, organized facility. The center is noted for making improvements based on parent feedback and maintaining happy, engaged children. Owners are described as understanding and accessible to parent concerns.

attentive and friendly staffclean facilitywell-organized
Address
811 N Kentucky Ave, Mason City, IA
Phone
(641) 201-8050
Hand In Hand-Davenport
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.6

Hand in Hand-Davenport receives perfect 5-star ratings from parents who praise the caring, attentive staff and welcoming environment. Parents particularly highlight the facility's inclusive approach to children of all abilities and its thoughtfully planned activities. The center is noted for strong friendships formed among children and excellent care quality.

caring and friendly staffinclusive environment for all abilitieswell-planned activities
Address
606 W 2nd St, Davenport, IA
Phone
(563) 332-8010
Sprout Kids Academy INC
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.5

Sprout Kids Academy receives universal praise from parents, with all reviews rating it 5/5 stars. Parents consistently highlight the caring, loving staff, strong teacher-child relationships, excellent communication, and positive developmental outcomes for children from infancy through preschool.

Caring and loving staffconsistent staffing/low turnoverstrong teacher-child relationships
Address
400 Elderberry St, Tiffin, IA
Phone
(319) 545-5437
Rainbow Child Care Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.5

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 learning
Address
8601 Thomas Avenue, Johnston, IA
Phone
(800) 905-3276
Sunrise Child Care East Basp
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.5
Address
702 6th Street, Kolona, IA
Phone
(319) 646-2890
Amazing Panda Learning Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.5

Amazing Panda Learning Center receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents, with most praising the caring staff, family-like atmosphere, and child development outcomes. One parent reported communication and organizational issues during the enrollment process. Overall, the center is highly recommended by satisfied families.

Caring and genuine stafffamily-like environmentchild learning and development
Address
2550 73rd Street, Urbandale, IA
Phone
(515) 721-8092
Sunrise Child Care INC
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.5
Address
525 13th Street, Wellman, IA
Phone
(319) 646-2890
Jane Boyd Achievement Academy At Jane Boyd Communi
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.5

Parents consistently praise Jane Boyd Achievement Academy for its well-experienced staff, organized operations, and community involvement. The facility offers quality before and after school care with engaging holiday activities and partnerships with local institutions like COE College for educational support.

Experienced and caring staffholiday activitiespartnership with COE College for reading and tutoring
Address
943 14th Ave Se, Cedar Rapids, IA
Phone
(319) 366-0431
Little Clippers Child Development Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.5

Little Clippers receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from most parents, praising excellent care, communication, and staff dedication, particularly in the infant room. However, two negative reviews cite serious concerns about unprofessional leadership, poor communication, irrational policy changes, and inflexible management during disputes.

Daily updates and photos via appattentive infant carehappy children
Address
415 Deer View Ave, Tiffin, IA
Phone
(319) 545-4033
Handicare INC
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.5

Parents consistently praise Handicare as an excellent, well-organized daycare with caring and experienced staff. The facility accommodates children with special needs, maintains cleanliness, provides nutritious meals and supplies, and offers extended hours. Multiple reviewers note staff longevity (10-20+ years) as a sign of quality and good workplace culture.

Kind and compassionate staffexperienced teachers with long tenurespecial needs accommodations
Address
2220 9th St, Coralville, IA
Phone
(319) 354-7641

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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.