Best Before or After School Daycare in Johnston, IA

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.

1. 1

   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
2. 2

   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
3. 3

   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
4. 4

   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
5. 5

   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
6. 6

   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
7. 7

   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
8. 8

   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
9. 9

   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

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