Best Daycares in Des Moines, IA — 2026 Rankings

We ranked 20 daycares and childcare centers in Des Moines based on licensing, accreditation, parent reviews, and childcare quality.

Top Daycares in Des Moines

  1. #1 — Mitchell Early Learning Center Score: 86%

    Mitchell Early Learning Center is a childcare center in Des Moines, IA. Programs include Preschool, school, home service. Website: http://www.dmschools.org.

    Programs: Preschool, School, Home service. View full profile →

  2. #2 — Wakonda Preschool Score: 86%

    Wakonda Preschool is a childcare center in Des Moines, IA. Programs include Preschool, elementary school, school. Website: http://www.wakondapreschool.com/.

    Programs: Preschool, Elementary school, School. View full profile →

  3. #3 — Conmigo Early Education Center Score: 86%

    Conmigo Early Education Center is a childcare center in Des Moines, IA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.conmigoearlyed.org/.

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  4. #4 — New Horizon Academy - Downtown Des Moines Score: 86%

    New Horizon Academy - Downtown Des Moines is a childcare center in Des Moines, IA. Programs include Preschool, child care and day care, school, education. Website: http://www.newhorizonacademy.net/.

    Programs: Preschool, Child care and day care, School, Education. View full profile →

  5. #5 — All Star Daycare and Preschool Score: 86%

    All Star Daycare and Preschool is a childcare center in Des Moines, IA. Programs include Preschool, day care preschool, home service. Website: http://allstardaycareia.net/.

    Programs: Preschool, Day care preschool, Home service. View full profile →

  6. #6 — Oak Academy Score: 84%

    Oak Academy is a childcare center in Des Moines, IA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://oakridgeneighborhood.org.

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  7. #7 — Plymouth Nursery School Score: 80%

    Plymouth Nursery School is a childcare center in Des Moines, IA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: https://sigler.chipply.com/PlymouthNurseryFall2025/?action=viewall.

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  8. #8 — Westside Early Education Score: 80%

    Westside Early Education is a childcare center in Des Moines, IA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.friendsofwee.com/WEE/Welcome.html.

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  9. #9 — Childcare Village Montessori Chiqui-School Score: 77%

    Childcare Village Montessori Chiqui-School is a childcare center in Des Moines, IA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: https://chiquipreschool.com/.

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  10. #10 — Woodlawn Education Center Score: 71%

    Woodlawn Education Center is a childcare center in Des Moines, IA. Programs include Preschool, home service, school. Website: http://woodlawnelementaryschool.com.

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, School. View full profile →

  11. #11 — La Petite Academy Score: 69%

    La Petite Academy is a childcare center in Des Moines, IA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.lapetite.com.

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  12. #12 — Bergman Academy Score: 69%

    Bergman Academy is a childcare center in Des Moines, IA. Programs include Preschool, private school, elementary school. Website: http://www.bergmanacademy.org/.

    Programs: Preschool, Private school, Elementary school. View full profile →

  13. #13 — Lil Scholars Preschool Score: 69%

    Lil Scholars Preschool is a childcare center in Des Moines, IA. Programs include Preschool, child care and day care, school, education. Website: http://www.lilscholarspreschool.com/.

    Programs: Preschool, Child care and day care, School, Education. View full profile →

  14. #14 — America's Children of Oakmoor Score: 69%

    America's Children of Oakmoor is a childcare center in Des Moines, IA. Programs include Preschool, day care preschool, home service. Website: http://americaschildrendm.com/.

    Programs: Preschool, Day care preschool, Home service. View full profile →

  15. #15 — Creative Center for Young Children Score: 69%

    Creative Center for Young Children is a childcare center in Des Moines, IA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.creativecenterforyoungchildren.org/.

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  16. #16 — Westminster Preschool Score: 69%

    Westminster Preschool is a childcare center in Des Moines, IA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://westpres.org/preschool.

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  17. #17 — Aurora Christian Preschool Score: 66%

    Aurora Christian Preschool is a childcare center in Des Moines, IA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://aurorapreschool.info/.

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

  18. #18 — Woodlawn Early Childhood Center Score: 60%

    Woodlawn Early Childhood Center is a childcare center in Des Moines, IA. Programs include Preschool. Website: http://woodlawnelementaryschool.com.

    Programs: Preschool. View full profile →

  19. #19 — Uncle Sam's Federal Child Care Center Score: 57%

    Uncle Sam's Federal Child Care Center is a childcare center in Des Moines, IA. Programs include Preschool, child care and day care, school, education. Website:…

    Programs: Preschool, Child care and day care, School, Education. View full profile →

  20. #20 — Xochipilli Children's Center Score: 37%

    Xochipilli Children's Center is a childcare center in Des Moines, IA. Programs include Preschool, education.

    Programs: Preschool, Education. View full profile →

How We Rank Daycares & Childcare Centers

Our Guide Score percentage combines Google rating (35%), review volume (20%), web and contact presence (20%), profile completeness (15%), accreditation such as NAEYC (5%), press recognition (3%), and years of operation (2%), then normalizes across captured positive categories. Read our full methodology →

Frequently asked questions

Who is the #1 daycare in Des Moines?
Mitchell Early Learning Center is currently the #1 ranked daycare in Des Moines based on our Guide Score, which evaluates parent reviews, licensing status, accreditation, and quality signals. See the full ranked list above.
How are daycares ranked in Des Moines?
Our Guide Score percentage combines weighted evidence from Google rating, review volume, web and contact presence, profile completeness, accreditation, press recognition, and years of operation, then normalizes across categories with captured positive evidence. There is no paid placement.
How much does daycare cost in Des Moines?
Childcare costs in Des Moines vary by program type and age group. Full-time infant care commonly ranges from $800–$2,500/month; preschool programs run $600–$1,800/month. Each center's profile page lists contact information for current rates.