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Daycares in Iowa City, IA

Explore selected Iowa City centers with published locations on South Dubuque Street, Amber Lane, and Rochester Avenue. This shortlist includes different parts of the city; it is not a ranking or a complete directory. Contact each center to confirm its current programs and availability.

Details last reviewed . This page shows 3 selected daycare listings in Iowa City, not the total number of providers in the city.

Search daycare options in Iowa City

Selected daycare listings

Openings, tuition, and age groups are unknown to Cubby for these listings. Contact each center directly to confirm.

  • Center

    Cadence Academy Preschool

    325 S Dubuque St, Iowa City, IA 52240Contact for tuition
    Source checked · 2026-10-14

    Openings not confirmed. Contact the center for current tuition and enrollment.

    325 S Dubuque St, Iowa City, IA 52240Official provider page Reviewed
    Openings:
    Unknown, ask the center
    Tuition:
    Unknown, ask the center
  • Center

    ABC Child Care

    1 Amber Ln, Iowa City, IA 52240Contact for tuition
    Source checked · 2026-10-14

    Openings not confirmed. Contact the center for current tuition and enrollment.

    1 Amber Ln, Iowa City, IA 52240No website link listedReviewed
    Openings:
    Unknown, ask the center
    Tuition:
    Unknown, ask the center
  • Center

    Regina Preschool

    2130 Rochester Ave, Iowa City, IA 52245Contact for tuition
    Source checked · 2026-10-14

    Openings not confirmed. Contact the center for current tuition and enrollment.

    2130 Rochester Ave, Iowa City, IA 52245Official provider page Reviewed
    Openings:
    Unknown, ask the center
    Tuition:
    Unknown, ask the center

What daycare costs in Iowa

Child Care Aware of America's 2023 Iowa figures are statewide annual averages—not current quotes from these centers. Tuition in each metro varies by age, schedule, and provider. Confirm tuition, fees, and included services directly with each center.

Infant, center-based care
$12,168/year
Toddler, center-based care
$11,143/year
Infant, family child care
$8,176/year
Toddler, family child care
$8,015/year
Two children (infant + 4-year-old), center-based care
$21,913/year

Source: Child Care Aware of America: Iowa 2023 price of care (PDF).

Choosing in Iowa City

Iowa City is a University of Iowa town, and commute patterns can depend on whether you travel between downtown, campus, Coralville, or North Liberty via I-80 and Highway 6. UI Hospitals & Clinics is a major employment anchor, and university-area waitlists can be competitive. Ask about timing and join more than one waitlist.

Iowa Women's Foundation has reported that Iowa lost about 40% of its child care providers over five years, leaving roughly 350,000 slots short, with about 25% of Iowans in a child care desert. These are historical statewide estimates, not a live count of open places in these metros. Start early and join multiple waitlists; ask about deposits, waitlist fees, and expected timing. Iowa Women's Foundation childcare research.

Help paying for care

Check eligibility for Iowa Child Care Assistance (CCA) through Iowa HHS, and ask whether your chosen provider accepts CCA. Eligibility and family payments depend on your circumstances.

About daycare care

Daycare can support a family's regular care schedule. Ask about daily routines, staffing, meals, safe sleep practices where relevant, and how the center communicates with families.

Questions to ask

  • Does the daily care schedule cover my work and travel time?
  • How are meals, naps, and transitions handled?
  • What happens when my child is sick or the center is closed?
  • What is current tuition, and are there openings for my child's age?

Check licensing

Look up any center's license and inspection record with the state regulator before you enroll.

Iowa HHS provider search

Iowa HHS compliance reports

More local guides