The Johnston Brief
Finding child care is one of the first real projects of new-parent life in Johnston, and a growing town means demand runs ahead of openings. Here's the local lay of the land: what care costs, the types of providers, the district's Early Learning Academy preschool, and, most important, how to find a licensed spot and check it out before you sign.
Full-time infant care in the Johnston and Des Moines area runs roughly $1,000 to $1,100 a month at a center and often $800 to $900 at a licensed home provider, dropping as kids age up. Infant rooms fill first, so get on waitlists early. For preschool, the district's Johnston Early Learning Academy (JELA) runs classes for 2s, 3s, and 4s, with the 4-year-old year offered tuition-free. Confirm any provider's license and history through Iowa Health and Human Services, and use the free Iowa CCR&R referral service to find openings.
Full-time infant care in the Johnston area runs roughly $1,050 a month at a center and about $850 at a licensed home provider, dropping as kids age up. Iowa child care prices have climbed sharply the last few years, so treat these 2024 statewide and metro averages as a starting point and ask each provider for a current rate sheet:
Infant care is the most expensive tier because Iowa requires the most staff per child for the youngest kids. Costs step down as children move to toddler and preschool rooms. If cost is tight, ask providers whether they accept the state Child Care Assistance (CCA) program, which helps eligible working families.
Yes. The Johnston Community School District runs the Johnston Early Learning Academy (JELA), its preschool for 2-, 3-, and 4-year-olds. The 4-year-old preschool is offered at no tuition, funded through Iowa's Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program. The 2- and 3-year-old programs carry tuition and are run through Johnston Community Education. A child must be 3 by September 15, 2026 to enroll in the 3-year-old program, and classes fill first come, first served.
Enrollment is a two-step process: first register for your class through the Eleyo Community Education system, then register with the district through Infinite Campus as a new or existing family. Eligibility, tuition, and enrollment windows change year to year, so check with the district for the current details. For everything on the K-12 side, see our Johnston schools guide.
To find and vet a Johnston-area provider, check its license through Iowa Health and Human Services, call the free Iowa CCR&R referral service, and tour in person before you sign; use the official tools rather than a random online list:
The Johnston Brief is a free weekly email with what's opening, what's happening for families, and the local news you can use. A friendly landing spot for new parents in town.
Sorting out life with kids in Johnston? See Johnston schools, things to do with kids, the neighborhoods guide for where to settle, and cost of living for how child care fits the wider budget.
Roughly $1,000 to $1,100 a month for full-time infant care at a center, and often $800 to $900 at a licensed home provider, dropping as kids get older. These are 2024 Iowa and metro averages; ask each provider for a current rate.
Confirm the license and read inspection history through Iowa Health and Human Services, use the free Iowa CCR&R referral service to find openings, then tour in person.
Yes, the Johnston Early Learning Academy (JELA), for 2-, 3-, and 4-year-olds. The 4-year-old preschool is tuition-free through Iowa's Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program; the 2- and 3-year-old programs carry tuition through Community Education. Check with the district for current eligibility and dates.
Two steps: register for your class through Eleyo, then register with the district through Infinite Campus as a new or existing family. A child must be 3 by September 15, 2026 for the 3-year-old program, and classes are first come, first served.
Often yes, especially for infant rooms. Many families join waitlists months ahead, sometimes during pregnancy. Start early and join more than one.
Daycare is full-day care across a wide age range on work hours, year-round. Preschool is a shorter, education-focused program in the couple of years before kindergarten. Many centers offer both.