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Childery

Some of the Best Daycares in Des Moines, IA

Of Des Moines's 390 daycares, 9 (2%) hold a 4 or 5 star rating from Childery, matching Iowa's statewide rate of 3%. Locally, providers average 3.0 stars on Process inputs (state QRIS, NAEYC and other accreditation, federal Head Start CLASS scores) and 2.0 stars on Structural inputs (state regulatory baseline plus provider-level licensing data), compared with Iowa averages of 2.9 on Process and 2.0 on Structural.

The local market includes 89 centers and 301 family child care homes, a higher home-based share than Iowa's average of 55%.

Listed alphabetically below are some of the highest-rated providers in Des Moines. Childery ranks providers using publicly auditable inputs: state QRIS scores, NAEYC-aligned ratios and group sizes, and federal CCDBG training coverage. See the Iowa methodology page for the full breakdown.

390
Daycares
9
4 or 5 Stars

Rating Distribution in Des Moines

0(0%)
9(2%)
21(5%)
360(92%)
0(0%)

Mean rating across all displayed daycares in Des Moines: 2.1 (Sample of 390).

Process rating across all displayed daycares in Des Moines: 3.0 (Sample of 47).

Structural rating across all displayed daycares in Des Moines: 2.0 (Sample of 390).

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Some of the Best Daycares in Des Moines

All Star Day Care
Des Moines, IA
★★★★★ 4 Stars
America's Children of Oakmoor
Des Moines, IA
★★★★★ 4 Stars
Bob and Billie Ray Child Development Center
Des Moines, IA
★★★★★ 4 Stars
House of Mercy Child Development Center
Des Moines, IA
★★★★★ 4 Stars
New Horizon Academy - Des Moines
Des Moines, IA
★★★★★ 4 Stars
Oak Academy
Des Moines, IA
★★★★★ 4 Stars
Principal Child Development Center
Des Moines, IA
★★★★★ 4 Stars
Science Center of Iowa Preschool
Des Moines, IA
★★★★★ 4 Stars
Wonder Years Academy
Des Moines, IA
★★★★★ 4 Stars
A Beautiful Mind Learning Center
Des Moines, IA
★★★★★ 3 Stars
Angela Henderson
Des Moines, IA
★★★★★ 3 Stars
CFI Child Development Center
Des Moines, IA
★★★★★ 3 Stars

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed daycares are in Des Moines?
There are 390 licensed child care providers in Des Moines.
What percentage of Des Moines daycares have high quality ratings?
2% of Des Moines daycares hold 4 or 5 stars on Childery's composite rating, compared to 3% statewide in Iowa.
What types of childcare are available in Des Moines?
89 center-based, 301 home-based providers operate in Des Moines.
How do Des Moines daycares score on teaching quality compared to the rest of Iowa?
Des Moines daycares average 3.0 out of 5 stars on Childery's Process score (teaching quality, QRIS ratings, and accreditations), compared to a Iowa statewide average of 2.9.
Is there financial help for childcare in Iowa?
Iowa offers childcare subsidies and assistance programs for income-eligible families. See income limits, waitlist status, and how to apply.Childcare subsidies in Iowa