Best Toddler Daycares 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...
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. We’re also here when you need us. Ask your school about flexible enrollment options to fit your family’s schedule.
Twos
This classroom is the perfect environment for terrific 2-year-olds. As your child grows more active, becoming an explorer, we provide a safe, engaging environment for them to develop. Learning experiences for 2-year-olds are based around key developmental milestones for this age group, as defined by our exclusive Learn from the Start™curriculum. We’re also here when you need us. Ask your school about flexible enrollment options to fit your family’s schedule.
Also offers: Drop-In Care, Preschool, Early Preschool
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....
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.
Explorers
The growth that happens during this stage is remarkable. Your child’s brain is developing rapidly, and each day brings new opportunities to explore, learn, and grow. This is why it’s important to choose more than basic child care. You want an environment that nurtures curiosity and supports healthy development. In our Explorers program, children begin building social-emotional skills through guided group interaction, learning how to engage with peers, build relationships, and work together. Intentional play is a core part of each day, blending creativity, movement, and learning in meaningful ways. Yellow Brick Road offers academic child care through the Creative Curriculum, providing research-driven activities that support early learning and development. With thoughtful guidance from teachers, children explore their world while building a strong foundation for future success.
Also offers: Preschool
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
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,...
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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...
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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...
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.
Twos
This classroom is the perfect environment for terrific 2-year-olds. As your child grows more active, becoming an explorer, we provide a safe, engaging environment for them to develop. Learning experiences for 2-year-olds are based around key developmental milestones for this age group, as defined by our exclusive Learn from the Start™curriculum. We’re also here when you need us. Ask your school about flexible enrollment options to fit your family’s schedule.
Also offers: Drop-In Care, Early Preschool, Preschool
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Preschool and childcare facility offering a variety of programs and services for children and families. Children participate in developmentally-appropriate learning experiences geared toward...
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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...
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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. ...
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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,...
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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,...
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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...
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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. ...
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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.
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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...
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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,...
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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...
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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....
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Provider offering early childhood services in a home-based environment. Program includes educational and intentional play activities designed to develop children's psychological, emotional,...
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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...
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!”
Preschool
Preschoolers at New Horizon Academy learn in joyful, curiosity-driven classrooms that build essential academic and social skills. Our award-winning, research-based curriculum lays the foundation for kindergarten readiness, while nurturing each child’s creativity, problem-solving, and self-confidence. Nine learning centers—including Art, Language and Literacy, STEAM, and Dramatic Play—encourage exploration in all developmental areas. Our teachers guide children in making decisions, building relationships, and developing independence as they discover their strengths and grow into capable learners.
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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...
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.
Preschool
Preschool is a big year. We’ve designed our program to give you complete confidence in every aspect of your child’s experience; from health and safety; to ready-for-school curriculum; to the full support of experienced teachers.
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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. ...
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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...
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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...
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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
Child care center offering age-appropriate learning and care to infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children. Daily activities include games, science experiments, books, songs, creative...
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The preschool program is run by Westminster Presbyterian Church. Teachers provide age-appropriate activities focused on each child's physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual growth. ...
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Child care center offering age-appropriate learning and care to infants through school-aged children. Before and after school care is available. Program includes learning centers in wellness, math,...
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Preschool program offering Head Start services to qualifying families and children. Teachers provide developmentally-appropriate activities and materials that work on school-readiness. Children and...
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Preschool program offering Head Start services to qualifying families and children. Teachers provide developmentally-appropriate activities and materials that work on school-readiness. Children and...
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Child care center offering age-appropriate learning and care to infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children. Age-appropriate learning and care are provided. Children participate outside...
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Christian preschool and care offering age-appropriate learning and care to children as they prepare for elementary school. Learning curriculum is used to teach lessons in math, science, art, and...
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Before and after school program serving children attending Mitchell Early Childhood Center. Children participate in a variety of educational and recreational enrichment activities, including arts and...
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Educational preschool program providing learning and care to infants through preschoolers. Program promotes group activities, academic learning, life skills, basic phonics, and outside play. Academic...
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Preschool program ran by Plymouth Church. Daily schedule includes a balance of educational, recreational and faith-based activities that work on school-readiness. Activities include arts and crafts,...
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Childcare program serving Principal Financial Group employees and their families. Children participate in STEM-based activities, gardening, sign language, writing, reading and other hands-on learning...
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Child care center provided to children of women enrolled in the substance abuse program providing care and learning. Learning curriculum is used to teach new concepts in math, science, art, and...
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Before and after school program serving preschool-aged children attending McKee School. Children participate in educational and recreational enrichment activities either before or after their...
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Preschool program offering educational services for children and families in the Greenwood Park area. Teachers provide age-appropriate learning experiences that work on school-readiness. Daily...
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Christian preschool program providing learning, socialization, and care to children as they prepare for elementary school. Daily activities include outside play, free play, arts and crafts, music, and...
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Guides
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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.
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Childcare Assistance in Iowa
Explore financial assistance programs available in Iowa, including childcare subsidies, tax credits, and free preschool options for eligible families.
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What Parents Need to Know About Toddlers and Daycare
The childcare experts at Winnie answer some of the most common questions about toddlers and daycare.
FAQs About Des Moines Toddler Daycares
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How many Des Moines daycare programs accept toddlers?
- Based on current daycare data, 50 daycare programs in Des Moines accept toddlers (1 - 2 years old) and 59 daycare programs in Des Moines accept toddlers (2 - 3 years old)
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What is the weekly cost of daycare for a toddler in Des Moines?
- The average weekly cost of daycare for a toddler between the ages of 1 and 3 is $213. This is based on provider cost data for daycares listed on Winnie.
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What type of daycare schedules are available for toddlers attending daycare in Des Moines?
- Out of 159 daycares that accept toddlers, 89% offer full time, 62% offer part time, and 31% offer drop-in.