Six child care centers are opening in the Des Moines metro this year, bringing nearly 1,000 much-needed slots for families with young children.
According to the Iowa Child Care Resource and Referral, both Polk and Dallas counties have a shortage of child care options.
New housing is bringing in more families to the metro, which saw the population of children age 5 and younger increase from 2012 to 2017. But during that same span, the metro had a decrease in the number of child care programs, the resource and referral agency reports.
Minneapolis-based New Horizon Academy is building three of the new child care centers in Des Moines, Johnston and West Des Moines.
The company’s centers will have room for about 530 children.
“Our expansion team closely tracks demographics to identify communities that are experiencing population booms and analyze the need for child care resources,” said Chad Dunkley, chief executive of New Horizon Academy.
New Horizon’s first center will open this summer at 550 S.W. Ninth St. near downtown Des Moines in the Cityville mixed-use development. The multi-story center will have a rooftop playground for preschoolers and a ground-floor playground for infants and toddlers, Watson said.
The Cityville location will accept children from six weeks to kindergarten.
The company’s second center will open in late fall at 9040 University Ave. in West Des Moines. It will accept up to 182 children from six weeks to fourth grade. Programs include before- and after-school and summer sessions.
The Johnston center at 8633 Crescent Chase also will accept 182 children when it opens by the end of the year. It is similar in design to the West Des Moines center.
The three child care centers are New Horizon’s first foray into the Iowa market. The company operates about 65 centers in three states.
New Horizon was founded 47 years ago by Dunkley’s mother, Susan Dunkley. Chad Dunkley was the center’s first student.
Conveniently located on the edge of Sartell, St. Cloud, and Sauk Rapids, off Highway 15 and Riverside Avenue, the Sartell New Horizon Academy has been serving local families since 1999. We offer childcare and education for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and pre-kindergarten and school-age children, as well as a summer camp program. Our daycare curriculum focuses on all aspects of early childhood education, from reading and STEAM to social-emotional learning, physical development, and more! At the Sartell New Horizon Academy, we help young children become confident learners who are prepared for kindergarten and beyond. Having highly trained daycare teachers and a research-based approach to childcare means that your child will receive the best possible daycare and education during their important early years. Schedule a tour today to learn more about our Sartell daycare center. We can’t wait to meet your family!
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Enroll in our preschool program before 7/31/26 and receive a $500 tuition credit!
*Newly enrolled families or families returning after 9 months only. Not valid with any other offer. Sartell location only. Preschool program enrollments only. Tuition credit of $500 valid for full-time enrollment only. Part-time families and families enrolled 3 days or less will receive a $250 tuition credit. Credit applied only after 30 days’ continuous enrollment. Account must be paid in full before any credit will be applied. Based on availability. Family must enroll and pay registration fee by 7/31/26.
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I am happily married and a mother of two children. I am also a grandma to two children who bring me so much joy. I enjoy spending time outdoors with my family. In my free time I love to throw pottery on the wheel and hand build with clay.
Education – St. Cloud Technical & Community College, Ashworth College
Years of Early Childhood Education Experience: 38+
What makes your school unique?
We are a fun and loving school with a lot of long-term staff!
What is your favorite children’s book?
“Abiyoyo” by Pete Seeger
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“It’s a great opportunity for people who are creative and love to be lifelong learners.”
Jessi G., Senior Conscious Discipline Specialist
“I’ve built so many relationships with families and children at New Horizon Academy.”
Emilia S., Teacher
“All decisions are made to benefit the children, employees, or parents.”
Kami T., District Manager
“New Horizon Academy pays for your education!”
Tracey D., Assistant Director
After moving from Minneapolis and leaving behind our amazing Montessori daycare center, we were thrilled to find New Horizon Academy in Sartell and enroll our two boys. From the moment we first walked through the door, I knew this would be a warm, nurturing environment and we have not been disappointed. I appreciate the thoughtfully crafted curriculum and educational approach the center uses to teach kiddos at every age level, and most importantly, even on their toughest days, I feel like every child is truly loved and cared for. We are so lucky to have New Horizon Academy in our lives; the smiles on our sons’ faces when we drop them off and pick them up remind us of that on a daily basis.
We love the staff at New Horizon Academy in Sartell! I am very happy with the care my son has received since the age of 2. The preschool program is wonderful, and I love the one-on-one attention. The summer camp for school-age kids is also fantastic with tons of fun activities and field trips – the teachers are great at making the kids’ time there a fun, positive, and safe experience. My son loves New Horizon Academy in Sartell!
I am not aware of a better place for my children in Sartell/St. Cloud area. My older son attended New Horizon Academy for five years and when we had another child, we couldn’t imagine sending him to any other place. New Horizon Academy delivers high quality services. I love their curriculum, daily activities, summer programs, and wonderful staff. This place feels like home to us . I’ve never had a feeling of worry when leaving my children at New Horizon Academy because I know that they are in good hands and they are growing educationally, emotionally, and socially. I would highly recommend this facility. You will simply have peace of mind.
We’ve been being our kid to New Horizon Academy in Sartell for about 6 months now and couldn’t be more pleased. Everyone is super friendly and professional, and is very in touch with what our kid needs and is experiencing on a daily basis. They are always doing fun arts and crafts projects with the kids, keeping them engaged throughout the day. Also, we love that the app they use for parental communication allows them to send us pictures – it’s very nice to receive updates (both text and pictures) during the day.
