1. Iowa Child Care Resource and Referral — Free
Free help finding quality childcare providers statewide
800-462-4692 · Statewide Service · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Best Childcare Assistance in Iowa — 15 verified resources
15 Resources
2. Iowa Head Start — Free
Free preschool and family support for low-income children
515-281-8260 · Multiple IA locations · Mon-Fri 8am-3pm · Visit Website
3. Iowa Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program — Free
Free preschool for four-year-olds in participating districts
515-281-3333 · Statewide Locations · School hours · Visit Website
4. YMCA of Greater Des Moines — Childcare
Before/after school care and summer programs
515-282-9622 · Multiple Des Moines locations · Mon-Fri 6:30am-6pm · Visit Website
5. Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa — Free
After-school programs and summer camps for Des Moines youth
515-265-4804 · 1520 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50316 · Mon-Fri 3pm-8pm · Visit Website
6. Child Care Aware — National — Free
National resource connecting women with childcare and financial assistance
800-424-2246 · National Service · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
7. ChildCare.gov — Free
Federal hub for finding quality child care, financial assistance, and learning about state subsidies.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
8. Office of Child Care (ACF) — Free
Federal office administering Child Care and Development Fund. Subsidies and quality programs in every state.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
9. Head Start Locator — Free
Free, federally funded preschool for low-income families with children 0-5. Find a program near you.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
10. Early Head Start — Free
Federally funded early childhood program for pregnant women and families with infants and toddlers.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
11. Child Care Aware of America — Free
1-800-424-2246 — free help finding quality, affordable childcare in your community.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
12. Zero to Three — Free
Resources for parents and professionals on early childhood development from birth to age 3.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
13. USDA Child & Adult Care Food Program — Free
CACFP — federal program reimbursing childcare providers for nutritious meals served to children.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
14. Boys & Girls Clubs of America — Free
Safe, affordable after-school and summer programs for children ages 6-18 nationwide.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
15. National Association for Family Child Care — Free
NAFCC — supporting quality home-based childcare and helping parents find accredited family providers.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Frequently Asked
- How many childcare assistance resources are in Iowa?
- Women's Corner tracks 15 verified childcare assistance resources for women in Iowa.
- Are childcare assistance resources in Iowa free?
- 14 of the 15 listed childcare assistance resources in Iowa are explicitly free or low-cost.
- Which cities in Iowa have childcare assistance resources?
- Listings span cities including Des Moines.
- What are some examples of childcare assistance resources in Iowa?
- Featured entries include Iowa Child Care Resource and Referral, Iowa Head Start, Iowa Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program, YMCA of Greater Des Moines — Childcare, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa.
- Do these listings include phone numbers?
- 6 of 15 Iowa childcare assistance listings include verified phone numbers.