Yellow Brick Road ECDC - Downtown Des Moines
Open today 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Description provided by the business.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. Yellow Brick Road offers a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment designed to support each child’s social, emotional, and academic growth. Programs include infant, toddler, preschool, and pre-kindergarten care, with age-appropriate curriculum, structured routines, and opportunities for creative play. Yellow Brick Road partners closely with families through ongoing communication and community engagement to create a strong foundation for lifelong learning. Our mission is to “put good humans into the world and leave the world better than we found it."
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Location Info
756 9th St
Des Moines, IA 50309
| Monday | 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM |
| Thursday | 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM |
| Friday | 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Financial Aid
- Offers Financial Aid
- Sibling Discount
Languages Spoken
- English
Location Details
- Offers classes for kids.
- Offers out-of-school time care.
- Offers summer care programs.
- Staff are CPR certified.
- Staff are first aid certified.
- Meals are provided.
- Outdoor play space is available.
Programs Offered
Infants
Wobblers
Schedules
Full Time, Part Time
Calendar
Full Year
Languages Taught
English
Description
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.
Education Types
- Creative Curriculum
Explorers
Schedules
Full Time, Part Time
Calendar
Full Year
Languages Taught
English
Description
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.
Education Types
- Creative Curriculum
Preschool
Schedules
Full Time, Part Time
Calendar
Full Year
Languages Taught
English
Description
Because the growth your child experiences during this stage is so crucial to their overall development, it’s important they have an academic foundation to support them. In our Preschooler Program, teachers provide a thoughtful balance of group and individual instruction. At this stage, children begin practicing independence, focus, and social interaction, skills that prepare them not only for the next grade levels, but for life. Social-emotional growth is a key focus of our program. Through lessons, playtime, and hands-on activities, children are encouraged to explore their natural curiosity throughout the day. At Yellow Brick Road, learning opportunities are everywhere. We implement the Creative Curriculum to support academic success through research-driven, engaging lessons that spark curiosity and a love of learning.
Education Types
- Creative Curriculum
Pre-K
Schedules
Full Time, Part Time
Calendar
Full Year
Languages Taught
English
Description
Pre-K plays an essential role in preparing children for kindergarten and beyond. The academic learning, social-emotional growth, and self-regulation skills developed during this stage all support long-term success in school and life. Our Pre-K Program is designed to help children build confidence, independence, and readiness for the classroom. Kindergarten readiness is a key focus, with children practicing foundational skills like early writing, counting, and identifying basic shapes. Just as important, children strengthen self-regulation skills, learning how to manage emotions, behaviors, and focus in a supportive environment alongside their peers. Yellow Brick Road implements the Creative Curriculum in our Pre-K classrooms, offering research-based instruction through engaging, hands-on learning experiences. Teachers create meaningful lessons that help children understand academic concepts while exploring the world around them. Our Pre-K Program provides a nurturing, structured environment where children are supported as they grow, learn, and thrive.
Education Types
- Creative Curriculum
School Age
Schedules
Before Care, After Care
Calendar
School Year
Languages Taught
English
Description
To us, it feels like our infants are running off to Kindergarten in the blink of an eye. Thankfully, we have the opportunity of continuing to care for our students and watch them grow even after they go off to Kindergarten in our School-Age Classrooms! In our school-age classrooms, we encourage our students to continue their social and academic development; before and after school, in the summer, and on days when their schools are closed. From field trips to fun daily activities, our students are engaged and excited during their time in our school-age program! Curious about transportation? We have you covered! Talk to your enrollment specialist or Director to learn more about the schools that we serve in your area.
Education Types
- Creative Curriculum
Summer Care
Schedules
Full Time, Part Time
Calendar
Summer Only
Languages Taught
English
Description
From field trips to museums, parks, and splash pads to building volcanoes and parachutes in class, we have all of the fun in summer care. By the time summer gets here, your children will be begging to return to our summer program! Our Director staff puts so much time and effort into coordinating curriculum and fun into these few shorts weeks, and it definitely pays off. We have outdoor play areas and indoor gyms for use as well, and there is always a lesson woven into their activity so we can secretly keep learning while we’re having fun.
Education Types
- Creative Curriculum
Licensing
Yellow Brick Road ECDC - Downtown Des Moines is a licensed child care center.
Type
Licensed Child Care Center
Identifier
51819
Capacity
181
Parent Reviews
I loved Mel in the infant room. She was so amazing with my daughter Ava and was attentive to her and her needs. Mel greeted us every morning and afternoon, asked about Ava and how she was doing and then filled us in on her day. Mel also was the first one to witness my daughter to roll over and she was so excited to share Ava milestone accomplishment. Mel celebrated when Ava (who is a comic baby) would finally sleep in her crib even if it was for 20 minutes. Mel is an amazing person and someone I would trust to have to watch my daughter. Yellow brick road downtown is an amazing center where staff care and communicate and my experience with them alone made me want to stay with the center as we had to move unfortunately to a different location only because hours for my employer changed.
The best! Kayci, Mickey, Tina, Leah, Haley, Melissa (but I think she changed locations), Brandajah and so many I don’t know all their names. I trust these teachers with my prize, possessions, my children. This is my second child who’s gone to this location, stemming back before YBR took over. My second grader still loves to visit friends!
The teachers are very caring. The meals are very well balanced and children are served a wide range of foods. The turnover rate is very low. Most teachers have college Degrees. It’s located downtown, easy access and garage to pull into
We had such a great experience with the YBR staff - it’s definitely a family feeling atmosphere! Our 4 month old (and I lol) had a tough time transitioning being away from mom - but the staff handled it so well and made us feel so at ease leaving her there! She now plays so much more independently at home and is passing milestones with flying colors! Miss Mel is so good at making you feel your little one is taken care of; and prompt with communication - a picture during the day or a good update!
We absolutely LOVE YBR downtown. The staff go above and beyond every day. You can tell that for the staff this is more than just a job and they love what they do. Ms. Bri in the 3 year old room is absolutely wonderful with my child when we are struggling in the morning, along with the director and assistant director. Every morning and night you are greeted by smiles and positivity. Staff give very informational updates about how my child's day was. I know every day when I drop my child off they are taken care of and there are no worries.
