Find a daycare in Des Moines, IA

Find daycares in Des Moines, IA

Find daycares in Des Moines, IA

Share a few details and we'll show you the best daycares in your area.
Zip code

Age of child(ren)

Find daycares in Des Moines, IA

Share a few details and we'll show you the best daycares in your area.
Zip code

Age of child(ren)

Top 10 daycares in Des Moines, IA

Parents agree: these Des Moines daycares are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.
Little Endeavors Ankeny

Little Endeavors Ankeny

New on TrustedCare
25+ years in business
Serves Des Moines, IA
Founded in 2000, Little Endeavors Inc. is a renowned child care provider serving Ankeny, Iowa, and nearby areas. With the capacity to accommodate up to 204 children, they offer a nurturing, fun, and safe learning environment tailored to promote overall growth and development. Their comprehensive programs cater to infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children, extending to before-and-after-school care and summer programs. Little Endeavors Inc. prides itself in delivering high-quality care and education, making it a premier choice for families in the community.
Creative Center For Young Children

Creative Center For Young Children

New on TrustedCare
34+ years in business
Serves Des Moines, IA
Founded in 1991, the Creative Center For Young Children is located in Des Moines, Iowa, serving the surrounding areas. This fine arts-focused childcare center goes beyond state requirements, offering small class sizes, dedicated teachers, and a unique preschool curriculum. The center provides nurturing child care and play experiences, with enrichment activities such as dance, Spanish, and yoga. They pride themselves on their range of daily activities, including movement, music, arts and crafts, and learning centers, providing a comprehensive learning experience for every child.
New Horizon Academy (Downtown Des Moines)

New Horizon Academy (Downtown Des Moines)

New on TrustedCare
54+ years in business
Serves Des Moines, IA
New Horizon Academy, based in Des Moines, Iowa, is a family-owned business, dedicated to providing high-quality early education and child care for over 50 years. Catering to children from infancy to 6 years old, they foster a healthy sense of self in each child while equipping them with essential life and academic skills. Their versatile programs, including infant, toddler, preschool, and pre-kindergarten stages, are complemented by engaging daily activities and age-appropriate resources.
Saydel Community School District Eagle's Nest (Cornell)

Saydel Community School District Eagle's Nest (Cornell)

New on TrustedCare
16+ years in business
Serves Des Moines, IA
Eagles Nest, located in Des Moines, Iowa, is an educational institution committed to fostering an engaging learning environment for the community's young minds. With a focus on comprehensive education, providing before and after school childcare services, including a variety of enriching activities and special events. It serves the Des Moines area.
A Child's World At Jordan Creek

A Child's World At Jordan Creek

New on TrustedCare
20+ years in business
Serves Des Moines, IA
Founded in 2005, A Child's World, located in West Des Moines, IA, is dedicated to providing quality childcare and preschool services. Catering to children aged six weeks to twelve years, the center focuses on nurturing children's development in various aspects, including logical, scientific, dramatic, physical, and creative learning. With a capacity of handling up to 255 children, the facility offers an environment where children grow at their own pace, preparing them for school and everyday life. Their experienced and caring staff are committed to ensuring a safe, healthy, and loving environment for every child.
Dragon Tots

Dragon Tots

New on TrustedCare
Serves Des Moines, IA
Dragon Tots is a reputable in-home daycare located in West Des Moines, Iowa, providing care and enriching educational experiences. With the capacity to accommodate up to 32 children, Dragon Tots offers a group environment that fosters learning and growth. Known for their commitment to quality care, they proudly identify as a Latino-owned business.
Clive Children's Center II

Clive Children's Center II

New on TrustedCare
Serves Des Moines, IA
Clive Children's Center II, located in Clive, Iowa, and serving the surrounding areas, is a high-quality child care and early learning center. Founded with the core aim of enhancing the learning potential of children aged 3 to 5 years old, it provides a broad range of services for children and families. The center's comprehensive programs include daycare, pre-school lessons, and stimulating activities that foster early reading, math skills, scientific exploration, and physical play. Their dedicated and mature staff prioritizes the individual needs of each child, ensuring a nurturing environment for growth and development.
Link Associates

Link Associates

New on TrustedCare
2+ years in business
Serves Des Moines, IA
Link Associates, founded in 1956, is a respected non-profit organization based in West Des Moines, Iowa. They are committed to providing comprehensive services to individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families. Through their Leisure Services division, they also work to create opportunities for these individuals to achieve an independent and healthy leisure lifestyle. They are dedicated to supporting community integration and personal development within the West Des Moines area and beyond.
Montessori Children's House

Montessori Children's House

New on TrustedCare
Serves Des Moines, IA
Founded in 1968, Montessori Children's House in West Des Moines, Iowa, provides a holistic childcare program for the community. Emphasizing holistic growth, social skills, emotional advancement, and physical coordination, they utilize the play-based, child-centered Montessori method. This Montessori Centre International accredited program offers hands-on, age-appropriate learning experiences that work on school-readiness and increasing independence. Open Monday to Friday, they cater to toddlers, preschool, and school-aged children.
DMACC Child Development Center

DMACC Child Development Center

New on TrustedCare
Serves Des Moines, IA
DMACC Child Development Center, founded in 1995, is located in Ankeny, Iowa, and services the surrounding areas. They provide childcare services to infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children, with a special focus on the children of students and staff members of the Des Moines Area Community College. Their facility includes an outdoor play area and they offer a wide range of age-appropriate books, toys, and furniture. The center utilizes the Creative Curriculum and also organizes walking field trips throughout the year.

Your Daycare questions, answered

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on TrustedCare.

How much does daycare cost?

Daycare costs depend on the child’s age group, the type of daycare, and where you live. Infant daycare is typically the most expensive, ranging from $650 to $1,500 per month. Infant daycare requires higher ratios of caregivers to children, which increases costs. Babies require more individualized attention, including diaper changes, feedings, and naps. As the child ages and becomes more independent, this ratio decreases along with daycare costs.

Traditional daycare centers tend to charge higher rates than home-based family daycare centers or co-ops. However, they usually have lower child-to-caregiver ratios, offer a wider range of amenities and activities, and have stricter qualifications for staff. Church-based, YMCA, or other non-profit child care centers offer lower rates, while home-based daycare is typically the cheapest option due to the low overhead costs.

In urban areas with a higher cost of living, daycare costs tend to be higher to cover the cost of higher rent and teacher salaries. Suburban and rural daycare centers have lower overhead costs, which often translates to more affordable daycare.

Is daycare tax deductible?

No, you cannot directly deduct daycare expenses on your federal tax return. However, if you qualify, there's a tax credit designed to assist with daycare costs, known as the Child and Dependent Care Credit.

The Child and Dependent Care Credit enables you to claim a percentage of your eligible childcare expenses. It ranges from 20% to 35% of allowable expenses, capping at $3,000 for one qualifying child and $6,000 for two or more qualifying children (applicable to the 2023 tax year). Consult a qualified tax professional to confirm if your eligibility.

Can a daycare charge you when they are closed?

Some daycares may charge a reduced fee or no fee at all during certain closures, while others may maintain regular charges. The terms in your daycare contract or agreement should outline whether or not you are charged when they are closed. It's common for daycares to have specific policies regarding fees during closures, such as holidays or other scheduled breaks.

If you're unsure, reach out to the daycare directly to clarify their billing practices during closures.

How do I look up daycare violations?

To look up daycare violations, start by contacting your state’s licensing agency for childcare facilities. You can usually find this information through your state’s Department of Health and Human Services online database.

Another option is to reach out to community resources such as local parenting groups, forums, or social media groups. Other parents may share their experiences or provide information about daycare violations in your area. Finally, consider a visit the daycare center directly and ask for information about any past violations. Daycare centers are often required to make this information accessible to parents.

How do I choose a daycare?

When picking a daycare, trust your instincts and choose a daycare that aligns with your child's needs, your values, and provides a safe and nurturing environment for their development. Follow these additional suggestions to find the best fit for you and your child:

  • Get recommendations from other parents, friends, and pediatricians to start your search.
  • Visit in person to make sure the spaces are clean, safe, and friendly.
  • Ask about caregiver qualifications, such as CPR training, early childhood education background, and experience with children of a similar age.
  • Understand the daycare's approach to early education, discipline, feeding, and soothing methods.
  • Choose a daycare that is licensed and accredited to meet government-set health and safety standards.
  • Check if parents are encouraged to participate in the program and if there are opportunities for parental engagement.
  • Contact current and former clients for feedback on their experiences with the daycare.
  • Consider making unannounced visits to get a true sense of the daycare's daily operations
  • Look for a daycare with a suitable curriculum, flexible schedules, and activities that fit your preferences.
  • Visit the daycare with your child and see how they react to the space, teachers, and other children.
  • Secure a spot on the waiting list as early as possible, especially for sought-after infant programs.

What questions should I ask when evaluating potential daycare centers?

Gather as much information as you can to find the daycare that best fits your family’s needs. Be prepared with a list of questions when visiting daycares, including:

  • Is your daycare licensed and accredited to meet safety standards?
  • Are teachers credentialed and trained in CPR/First Aid?
  • What are the class sizes and student-teacher ratios for each age group?
  • What are the daycare's hours of operation and rates?
  • How does the daycare handle discipline?
  • Will the daycare assist with potty training?
  • How much time do children spend in free-play and outdoors?
  • Are meals and snacks provided by the daycare?
  • How are food allergies handled by the daycare?
  • What enrichment programs and activities are available?

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