Best Child Care in Des Moines, IA
Every day, we’re nurturing young learners and preparing children for a bright future. At Childtime, our sensitive, respectful teachers are building trusting, secure relationships with children that...
Drop-In Care
At Childtime, our Drop-In Care program gives you the freedom to purchase child care days in advance. This allows you to use them when you need them—all year long! As a parent, you’ll appreciate the reliability and flexibility while your child enjoys our proven early education curriculum in a safe, secure, fun environment. Our prepaid cards come in five-day increments and are good for one full year. Just call 48 hours in advance to reserve your spot.
Infants
Families love the balance of nurturing care and milestone development in this program. In a warm, safe, stimulating classroom, children have a primary caregiver to attend to their needs. Plus, our exclusive, milestone-focused curriculum, Learn from the Start™, was developed by our educational experts to focus on key developmental milestones specific to infants. We emphasize each child’s development, rather than specific age, because all children grow and learn at their own pace, and in their own unique way. We’re also here when you need us. Ask your school about flexible enrollment options to fit your family’s schedule.
Responds quickly
Yellow Brick Road Early Childhood Development Center and Daycare is a licensed childcare provider serving children from 6 weeks through Pre-K, with summer programs available for school-aged children....
Infants
Babies develop at such an incredible pace, and it’s a joy to witness. They’re growing practically by the minute, whether we realize it or not. That’s why it’s essential to have your infant enrolled in an outstanding child care program, such as the Infant Program at Yellow Brick Road. Tummy time, as well as development of the senses and motor skills are all guided by our teachers in the most compassionate and encouraging way. Your child is just beginning to make sense of the world — we’re here to help them at their developmentally appropriate level. A daily routine is implemented to encourage your child’s working memory. Daily routines are also great because they help your child’s sense of prediction and expectation, as well as recognizing patterns. This provides stability and comfort to every child, and families also appreciate knowing what their young one is doing while at Yellow Brick Road. Our Infant Program not only provides exceptional care for your child, but it also gives you the peace of mind you’re looking for. Visit one of our child care centers to begin the enrollment process!
Wobblers
It seems impossible to think that your scooting, walking, babbling, and talking toddler was once coming home with you from the hospital. These are critical years of development, and it’s crucial that your child receives the best possible care. Yellow Brick Road doesn’t only provide exceptional child care for families, we also build an academic foundation your child will carry throughout their life. Social-emotional growth is a strong focus as toddlers begin to understand play, relationships, and human connection. Through songs, literacy activities, and engaging lessons, children continue building these skills each day. While we follow a daily routine and schedule, we recognize that every child grows at their own pace and work to meet each child where they are in a gentle, nurturing way. Our Wobblers program implements the Creative Curriculum, offering research-driven activities rooted in language development and early learning. With constant supervision, guidance, and care from our teachers, children are supported as they begin to navigate their world and build a strong foundation for future academic success.
Responds quickly
Cooperative childcare program offering services for infants through school-aged children. Teachers use the Lilio Curriculum to provide age-appropriate learning activities to help prepare children for...
Speaks Spanish
Before and after school program serving children at Moore Elementary School. Children participate in a variety of educational and recreational enrichment activities, including arts and crafts, games...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
We provide childcare services to toddlers, and preschool-aged children. Our program is geared to meet the needs and interests of the children enrolled. The curriculum emphasizes social relationships,...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
We are a spiritually based daycare home. We teach caring and sharing. We offer home -cooked meals and lots of loving. Here we are family and are treated as such. We play and learn.
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
In-home daycare believes in creating a home away from home for little ones. Program provides a nurturing environment where children of all ages can learn, play, and grow together.
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Bilingual daycare (English/Spanish). Educational curriculum. Nutritious meals. Summer program.
Speaks Spanish
Home daycare provider offering services to young children. Environment is designed for play, creativity, and learning. Space includes an art area and a nap room.
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
I am a home daycare qualified in CPR/ First Aid Training. Providing a nurturing and fun-loving environment for children to enjoy. I have over 20 years of experience with children.
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Historically Black non-profit serving youth throughout the Des Moines Urban Core including after school care, summer care, and mentoring programs for school-aged children. Facility provides a variety...
Speaks Spanish
Preschool and childcare program serving children living in the Oakridge neighborhood as well as children from surrounding areas. Teachers use the Creative Curriculum to provide age-appropriate...
Speaks Spanish
Preschool program focused on helping children develop academic fundamentals along with Catholic values and education. Teachers provide a variety of educational, recreational and faith-based...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Discover the joy of early learning at La Petite Academy. Whether caring for your baby, preparing your preschooler for kindergarten, or supporting your elementary student (up to age 12) in the morning...
Drop-In Care
With our Flex Care program, you can purchase child care days in advance to use, as you need them—all year long. You get reliability and flexibility, and your child gets to experience our proven curriculum in a fun, safe, and secure environment. You can purchase prepaid cards in five-day increments through your school, and each is good for one full year. After completing the enrollment paperwork, just call 48 hours in advance to reserve your spot.
Toddlers
You’ll love the safe environment for exploration, excitement, and exercise we provide for your active child. Toddler classrooms also feature our milestone-focused curriculum, Learn from the Start™, focused on the key developmental milestones specific to this age group, with learning experiences designed to address the individual needs of each child, in each classroom.
Also offers: Twos, Early Preschool, Preschool, and more
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Preschool and childcare facility offering a variety of programs and services for children and families. Children participate in developmentally-appropriate learning experiences geared toward...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Childcare facility offering services for children of all ages. Teachers use the Creative Curriculum to provide age-appropriate learning experiences that help prepare children for school. Children...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Center provides care to children from infancy to school-age. Teachers utilize an age-appropriate curriculum. Daily activities include art, dramatic play, games, puzzles, reading, and writing. ...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Before and after school program providing childcare services to students on the campus of Cornell Elementary. Activities include outdoor play, gym time, arts & crafts, movies, blocks, and games....
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Grace United Methodist Church's preschool program. Provider utilizes the Creative Curriculum and focuses on learning through hands-on, play-based experiences. Activities include art projects,...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Before and after school program serving children attending Hanawalt Elementary. Children participate in a variety of creative, technical, educational and recreational activities. Homework and study...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Center provides year-round childcare services to preschool-aged children. Program utilizes the Creative Curriculum to encourage academic and social development. Daily activities include reading,...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Childcare program ran by Easterseals serving children with or without developmental delays or disabilities. Teachers use the Creative Curriculum to provide various age-appropriate learning...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Preschool and childcare program ran by The Church at Union Park. Teachers provide a variety of hands-on educational, recreational and faith-based activities that work on all areas of development. ...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Before and after school program serving children attending Cattell Elementary. Children participate in a variety of creative, technical, educational and recreational activities. Homework and study...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Before and after school program serving children attending Jackson Elementary. Children participate in a variety of creative, technical, educational and recreational activities. Homework and study...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
After school program serving students of River Woods Elementary. Activities include creative projects, physical fitness, STEM, literacy, games, music, reading, and social interaction. Homework help...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Before and after school program providing childcare services to students on the campus of McKinley Elementary. Activities include STEM, arts & crafts, reading, writing, music, drama, time outdoors,...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Before and after school program serving children attending Hubbell Elementary. Children participate in a variety of creative, technical, educational and recreational activities. Homework and study...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Before and after school program serving children attending Greenwood Elementary. Children participate in a variety of creative, technical, educational and recreational activities. Homework and study...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Before and after school program providing childcare services to students on the campus of Perkins Elementary. Activities include arts & crafts, reading, writing, STEM, music, drama, and time...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Before and after school program providing childcare services to students on the campus of Park Avenue Elementary. Daily routine includes homework time. Activities also include STEM, arts & crafts,...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Before and after school program serving children attending Brubaker Elementary. Children participate in a variety of creative, technical, educational and recreational activities. Homework and study...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Preschool and childcare program ran by Christ the King Parish. Children participate in a variety of educational, recreational and faith-based activities. Facility also has an outdoor play area.
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Educational preschool and after school program providing care and learning to children in the Des Moines community. Enrichment activities include dance, Spanish, and yoga. Daily activities include...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Childcare facility offering services for children of all ages. Teachers provide developmentally-appropriate learning experiences to help prepare children for school. Children work on academics,...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Bilingual child care center offering age-appropriate care, learning, and socialization to young children as they prepare for elementary school. Before and after school care is available to school-aged...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Childcare facility offering various programs for school-aged children, including before and after school care and summer care. Children participate in a variety of educational and recreational...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Childcare program serving children and families of UnityPoint Health employees. Teachers use the Creative Curriculum to provide age-appropriate activities that work on all areas of child development....
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Before and after school program providing childcare services to students on the campus of St. Anthony Catholic School. Faith-based program offers daily homework time. Students also have the...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Childcare program offering educational services for toddlers and preschool-aged children. Teachers provide hands-on learning opportunities that work on school-readiness and meeting developmental...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Catholic school provides education and childcare services to preschoolers and school-aged children. Curriculum meets the physical, emotional, and developmental needs of the children. Students have...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Before and after school program serving children attending Delaware Elementary. Children participate in a variety of educational and recreational enrichment activities, including STEM-based learning...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Child care center providing age-appropriate learning and care to infants through school-aged children. Children participate in group activities, outside play, and academic learning. Before and after...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Provider offering early childhood services in a home-based environment. Program includes educational and intentional play activities designed to develop children's psychological, emotional,...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
New Horizon Academy Des Moines is conveniently located in Des Moines, Iowa off Martin Luther King Jr Parkway and SW 9th Street in downtown Des Moines. Our school offers early learning programs for...
Infants
New Horizon Academy’s infant classrooms offer a warm, nurturing environment where babies thrive through daily exploration and discovery. Each space is thoughtfully designed to support individual developmental milestones with personalized care, including activities like singing, reading, sign language, and gentle yoga. Our teachers use a research-based curriculum with monthly themes to create individualized lesson plans that promote growth across all early learning domains—from motor skills to social-emotional development. With a strong focus on parent partnerships and responsive care, babies are supported in both their learning and emotional well-being from the very start.
Toddlers
Our toddler classrooms are energetic and engaging environments where little ones are encouraged to explore, move, and express themselves. Teachers foster growing independence and self-esteem through hands-on activities, daily routines, and nurturing support. Designed with zones like Creative, Active and Busy, Calm and Cozy, and Welcoming and Routines, each classroom helps toddlers master key skills in STEAM, fine and gross motor development, social relationships, and more. Carefully balanced routines and learning experiences help children build confidence as they proudly declare, “I did it myself!”
Also offers: Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, Summer Camp
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
At Bright Horizons®, we make sure the early years are full of learning and fun. Our early education and preschool program paves the way for school success, with support for each child’s individual...
Infant Care
Our infant program is designed to offer a secure place with knowledgeable teachers who honor your family’s routine, and who know every day that they’re not caring for any child, but the most important child — yours.
Toddler Care
Our toddler program is designed to provide a safe place for your newly independent child to test out and learn new skills, wonder about everything, and discover how to make friends.
Also offers: Preschool, Kindergarten Prep, Summer Explorations
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Preschool and childcare program offering services for infants through school-aged children. Teachers provide age-appropriate learning activities that work on all areas of child development. ...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Smarty Pants Childcare provides a nurturing and supportive environment for early childhood education, serving children from six weeks old to those in kindergarten and aftercare. The facility offers...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Early learning provider offering a variety of classes for infants through school aged children. Center utilizes a variety of curricula, including the Creative Curriculum and Second Step, and field...
Contact this provider for pricing and availability
Bi-lingual center provides services to children from infancy to school-age. Curriculum is presented in both Spanish and English. Daily activities include dramatic play, dance, art, music,...
Speaks Spanish
Guides
-
Cost of Child Care in Iowa by Age, City & Type
Curious how much daycare or preschool really costs in Iowa? We break down average childcare rates by city, age, and program type—based on real data from local providers.
-
Childcare Assistance in Iowa
Explore financial assistance programs available in Iowa, including childcare subsidies, tax credits, and free preschool options for eligible families.
FAQs About Des Moines Child Care
-
How many child care providers are in Des Moines?
- Based on Winnie data collection, there are 519 child care providers in Des Moines and 115 of these child care providers offer part time care.
-
How much does child care cost in Des Moines?
- According to provider data, $711 is the average monthly price for full time child care in Des Moines.
-
Do child care providers in Des Moines speak multiple languages?
- Yes, there are approximately 7 child care providers in Des Moines that are multilingual, offering care in at least two different languages.
-
What are the most common languages offered by Des Moines childcare providers?
- The most common language spoken by child care providers in Des Moines is Spanish.