Disclosure: We are frequently asked about early childhood programs and recommendations for preschools and child care in Cedar Rapids and understand that picking a school or child care center that fits your child’s and your family’s needs can be an overwhelming task. We are thrilled to provide this guide resource, brought to you by our featured sponsors! We hope this Cedar Rapids Preschool guide makes the process a little easier as you begin your search!
CEDAR VALLEY MONTESSORI SCHOOL
Cedar Valley Montessori School has been providing family-centered programming since 1971. CVMS is committed to helping children ages two through six grow socially, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually in an environment that emphasizes personalized learning and respect. CVMS programs are structured to create thoughtful, independent, and confident learners who have respect for themselves and the world around them. Our mission is to remain consistent with what Dr. Maria Montessori said, did, and wrote to create an individualized early education experience which will allow children to progress at their own rate along their developmental path. We are centrally located in downtown Cedar Rapids, with spacious, natural light-filled classrooms; a large, multi-use indoor atrium and gymnasium; a securely fenced outdoor play area; and a state-of-the-art security system. You may sign up for our programs as early as Birth! Call today to schedule your tour!
AGES: 2-6 years old
HOURS: Programming available M-F 7:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m.
110 5th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids
SUMMIT SCHOOLS
Summit Schools’ PreKindergarten (PreK) program features a strong phonics reading curriculum, and daily math and science instruction. Summit’s PreK prepares children for elementary school in a calm and nurturing learning environment. PreK students at Summit also enjoy several field trips throughout the year, and weekly exploratory instruction in art, music, Spanish, and PE/wellness. Summit is the only accredited, independent, non-parochial PreK-8th grade school in Cedar Rapids, and is known throughout the community for its personalized education and small class sizes. Call today to schedule a personal tour to see the difference a Summit education can make!
AGES: 4-6-year-olds (5 days/week)
HOURS: School hours are M-F 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Half-day PreK option: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.); Before/after school care available 7:15 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
1010 Regent S NE, Cedar Rapids
CEDAR RAPIDS PRESCHOOL
At Cedar Rapids Preschool our focus is the child as a whole. Social-Emotional development is a critical building block in helping students throughout their academic lives. Utilizing small group interactions, storytelling, dealing with “hard things” like waiting for another child to finish play before beginning their play, and learning to use words for our needs and desires- being in Preschool helps to develop the Social-Emotional framework our students need to be successful in their academic years.
AGES: 12 months and up
HOURS: 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday
3920 E Ave NE, Cedar Rapids
LITTLE LAMBS CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL
Little Lambs provides a well-rounded and nurturing pre-kindergarten experience for three and four year old’s in a Christian environment. LLCP supports the home by providing a program of developmentally appropriate learning activities that will contribute to the child’s mental, physical and spiritual development and further his/her social and emotional growth.
The goal of Little Lambs Christian Preschool is to provide the kind of environment and varied experiences that will allow the child to: Acknowledge the daily presence of Christ in his/her life, Make a successful transition from home to school, Live, work and play with other children and adults, Develop a healthy self-concept, Encourage creativity and self-expression, Develop of a sense of security through experiencing success, Develop self-control and responsibility, Participate in large and small group settings, Experience pre-reading, pre-writing and pre-math skills, Develop verbal skills, and develop motor skills and coordination.
201 First Avenue, Hiawatha, IA 52233
MORE LOCAL PRESCHOOLS
This is an A-Z listing of reader-recommended preschools in Cedar Rapids, Marion, and Hiawatha. Do you know of a great preschool we should include? Let us know!! Send an email to info (at) crmoms.com. *Some of these preschools also offer daycare or primary school options as well.
CEDAR RAPIDS PRESCHOOL LIST
All Saints Catholic School
Calvary Christian Preschool
Caring Corner Christian Daycare & Preschool
Cedar Rapids Day School
Cedar Rapids Community School District
Cedar Rapids Community School District Five Seasons Learning Centers
Cedar Rapids Prairie Early Childhood Center
Cedar Valley Christian School
Cedar Valley Montessori School
Children’s Corner
Hand in Hand {Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, and Marion}
Harvest Christian Daycare & Learning Center
Head Start Programs {Multiple Locations}
Holloway House
Isaac Newton Christian Academy
Kids Inc
Kid’s Kampus
KidsPoint Learning Center {2 Locations}
KinderCare East
KinderCare West
La Petite Academy
Lily Pad Childcare & Preschool
Linn County Child Development Center
Little Cupcakes Childcare & Preschool
Lovely Lane Preschool
Noah’s Ark Preschool
Precious Moments Montessori Daycare & Preschool
Saving Grace Childcare & Preschool
Share and Care Preschool
St. Jude Catholic School
St. Matthew Catholic School
St. Paul’s UMC FOCUS Preschool
St. Pius X Catholic Early Learning Center
Trinity Lane Preschool
Trinity Lutheran School
HIAWATHA PRESCHOOLS
Essential Montessori School
Hiawatha Day School
Little Lambs Christian Preschool
Mother Goose Early Learning Campus
Hiawatha Elementary
Viola Gibson Elementary
MARION PRESCHOOLS
Ascension Lutheran Preschool
Linn Mar Little Lions Preschool
Marion Independent School District
Montessori School of Marion
Our Little Haven Daycare & Preschool
St. Joseph Catholic School
Wee Wisdom Preschool
OTHER CEDAR RAPIDS AREA PRESCHOOLS
All God’s Children – Shueyville
Benton Community School District
Center Point-Urbana Pointer Pups Preschool
Central Lutheran School – Newhall
Early Beginnings – Atkins & Van Horne
Lisbon Early Childhood Center
Little Learners – Robins
Mt. Vernon Community Preschool- Mt. Vernon
Vinton-Shellsburg Community Schools
Mt. Vernon Community School District