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Child care center 

Little Stars Child Care Center

Waterloo, IA4.5· 19 reviews
open each week
5 days
weekly, posted tuition
$170

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Licensed by the stateInspection record

About

About Little Stars Child Care Center

Little Stars Child Care Center is a licensed child care center in Waterloo, Iowa. It is licensed by the state.

It is open Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It describes a Play-based approach, with infant care, pre-k, preschool and toddler care. It lists weekly tuition from $170 to $270.

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services made 6 visits in the last 3 years and cited 21 rules across 5 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.

InfantsPreschool / pre-KPosts tuition
Ask when you call: current openings, staff-to-child ratio, teacher qualifications and whether it accepts child care subsidies.
Type
Child care center
Ages
Infants 6 weeks to Pre-K school age
Hours today
Closed today
Capacity
Not listed

Hours

Hours

Monday7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Tuesday7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Wednesday7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Thursday7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Friday7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
SaturdayNot listed
SundayTodayNot listed

Programs

Programs and care

AgesInfants 6 weeks to Pre-K school age
ProgramsInfant care, pre-k, preschool and toddler care
ApproachPlay-based
A daycare without an item may still offer it; ask.

Cost

Tuition and costs

Little Stars Child Care Center lists weekly tuition from $170 to $270. For comparison, full-time infant care at a child care center in Black Hawk County has a median price of $168 a week (U.S. Department of Labor, 2022).

Weekly · program, in its own wordsPrice
(24 months to 3 years-Part time), weekly$170
(Infant to 24 months-Part time), Weekly/ up to 25 hrs$200
Constellation + Nebula Rooms (~Infant to 24 months-Full time), Weekly/ up to 50 hrs$270
Super Nova + Galaxy Rooms (24 months to 3 years-Full time), weekly$220
4 posted prices. Rates change, so confirm before you enroll.
Black Hawk County medians, full time, per week

Infant

Center$168
Home daycare$113

Toddler

Center$145
Home daycare$111

Preschool

Center$145
Home daycare$111

School age

Center$116
Home daycare$107

County median full-time prices at centers and home daycares, U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices, 2022 (the latest year). Not this daycare's rates; prices have risen since.

State record

Inspection reports for Little Stars Child Care Center

License

Status
Licensed and operating
License type
Licensed Center
License number
#51440
See the state's record

Summary

6 visits in the last 3 years · Last visit May 19, 2026: 4 rules cited

Rules cited on 5 of 6 visits · 21 rules in all

  • Health, medication and illness 6
  • Background checks 3
  • Building, equipment and play areas 3
  • Safety and hazards 2
  • Supervision and ratios 2
  • Discipline and child guidance 1
  • Records and paperwork 1
  • Staff training and qualifications 1
  • Other rules 2

For comparison: 88% of Iowa daycares had at least one rule cited in the last 3 years; the typical daycare had 0.

A cited rule is what an inspector found on the day of a visit. It is not a rating of the daycare today.

Own this daycare? Add your response to the state record

See all 9 visits
  1. May 19, 2026Inspection4 rules cited
    • Health, medication and illness

      109.12(4)b

      “Each infant and toddler shall be diapered in a sanitary manner as frequently as needed at a central diapering area. Diapering, sanitation, and hand-washing procedures shall be posted and implemented in every diapering area. There shall be at least one changing table for every 15 infants.”
    • Health, medication and illness

      109.9(2)d

      “All files contain sufficient information and authorization to allow the center to secure emergency medical and dental services at any time child is in center’s care.”
    • Background checks

      109.9(1)a

      “All files contain: 1. Copy of a department criminal history record check form or any other permission form approved by Department of Public Safety for conducting an Iowa or national criminal history record check 2. Copy of a request for child abuse information form, when applicable. 3. Copies of results of Iowa record checks conducted through the SING for review by the department upon request. 4. Copies of national criminal history check results. 5. Any department issued documents sent to the center related to a record check, regardless of findings.”
    • Building, equipment and play areas

      109.11(3)a

  2. May 27, 2025Inspection11 rules cited
    • Building, equipment and play areas

      109.11(3)a

      “Center shall ensure that: 1. Facility and premises are sanitary, safe, and hazard free. 2. Adequate indoor and outdoor space is provided. The outdoor area shall include safe play equipment and area of shade. 3. Sufficient space provided for dining. 4. Sufficient lighting shall be provided. 5. Sufficient ventilation. 6. Sufficient heating. 7. sufficient cooling. 8. Sufficient bathroom and diapering facilities. 9. Equipment, including kitchen appliances, are maintained so as not to result in burns, shock, or injury to children. 10. Sanitation and safety procedures for the center are developed and implemented to reduce risk or injury or harm to children and reduce transmission of disease.”
    • Safety and hazards

      109.11(7)c

      “All centers: Annual inspection prior to heating season of all fuel-burning appliances to reduce risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and shall install one carbon monoxide detector on each floor that conforms to UL Standard 2034.”
    • Supervision and ratios

      109.8(1)b

      “All staff in ratio involved with children in programming activities.”
    • Discipline and child guidance

      109.12(1)

      “• Program structure that uses developmentally appropriate practices and written program of activities planned to the developmental needs of children served. • Program complements but does not duplicate school curriculum. • Schedule of program is posted in a place visible to parents.”
    • Health, medication and illness

      109.9(2)d

      “All files contain parent authorization of the persons to whom the child may be released.”
    • Health, medication and illness

      109.9(2)b

      “All files contain sufficient information and authorization to allow the center to secure emergency medical and dental services at any time child is in center’s care.”
    • Records and paperwork

      109.9(2)a

      “All files contain sufficient information to allow the center to contact the parent or emergency contact at any time child is in center’s care.”
    • Staff training and qualifications

      109.9(1)e

      “All files contain documentation to indicate that ongoing staff training requirements are met, including current certifications in first aid/CPR and mandatory child abuse training.”
    • Background checks

      109.9(1)b

      “All files contain: 1. A signed copy of DHS criminal history record check or any other permission form approved by the Department of public Safety for conducting an Iowa or national criminal history check. 2. A copy of Request for Child Abuse Information. 3. Copies of the results of Iowa records checks conducted. 4. Copies of national criminal history check results. 5. Any Department-issued documents sent to the center related to records check.”
    • Supervision and ratios

      109.8(2)e

      “Ratio maintained during mealtimes and outdoor activities at the center.”
    • Other rules

      109.10(1)a

  3. Apr 15, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
  4. Apr 15, 2025Complaint investigationNo rules cited
  5. Jan 9, 2025Complaint investigationNo rules cited
  6. May 9, 2024Inspection6 rules cited
    • Background checks

      109.9(1)b

      “All files contain: 1. A signed copy of DHS criminal history record check or any other permission form approved by the Department of public Safety for conducting an Iowa or national criminal history check. 2. A copy of Request for Child Abuse Information. 3. Copies of the results of Iowa records checks conducted. 4. Copies of national criminal history check results. 5. Any Department-issued documents sent to the center related to records check.”
    • Health, medication and illness

      109.9(2)b

      “All files contain sufficient information and authorization to allow the center to secure emergency medical and dental services at any time child is in center’s care.”
    • Health, medication and illness

      109.12(5)b

      “• Infants diapered in a sanitary manner as needed in central diapering area. • One changing table for every 15 infants/toddlers needing diaper changes. • Diapering, sanitation, and handwashing procedures posted and implemented in central diapering area.”
    • Safety and hazards

      109.10(3)a

      “All medications shall be stored in original containers with physician or pharmacist directions. Labels should be intact and stored so they are inaccessible to children and public. Nonprescription medications shall be labeled with the child’s name.”
    • Other rules

      109.10(1)a

    • Building, equipment and play areas

      109.11(3)d

      “Record of monthly inspections of outdoor recreation area and equipment shall be kept.”
  7. May 24, 2023Inspection5 rules cited
    • Background checks

      109.9(1)b

      “All files contain: 1. A signed copy of DHS criminal history record check or any other permission form approved by the Department of public Safety for conducting an Iowa or national criminal history check. 2. A copy of Request for Child Abuse Information. 3. Copies of the results of Iowa records checks conducted. 4. Copies of national criminal history check results. 5. Any Department-issued documents sent to the center related to records check.”
    • Health, medication and illness

      109.9(1)d

      “All files contain a pre-employment physical exam report completed within six months prior to hire and at least every three years. Physical exams shall be documented on form 470- 5152, Child Care Provider Physical Examination Report.”
    • Health, medication and illness

      109.9(2)b

      “All files contain sufficient information and authorization to allow the center to secure emergency medical and dental services at any time child is in center’s care.”
    • Safety and hazards

      109.11(7)c

      “All centers: Annual inspection prior to heating season of all fuel-burning appliances to reduce risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and shall install one carbon monoxide detector on each floor that conforms to UL Standard 2034.”
    • Other rules

      109.10(1)a

  8. Apr 27, 2023Complaint investigationNo rules cited
  9. Oct 11, 2022Complaint investigationNo rules cited

Copied from Iowa Department of Health and Human Services on October 2, 2026; the state's records start around Nov 2021. Rule wording, severity and dates are the state's.

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FAQ

Questions about Little Stars Child Care Center

Is Little Stars Child Care Center licensed?

Yes. Iowa Department of Health and Human Services lists it as licensed and operating.

When was Little Stars Child Care Center last inspected?

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services lists the most recent visit on May 19, 2026, with 4 rules cited. It lists 6 visits in the last 3 years.

Has Little Stars Child Care Center had rules cited by the state?

Yes. Inspectors cited 21 rules across 5 of 6 visits in the last 3 years. For comparison: 88% of Iowa daycares had at least one rule cited in the last 3 years; the typical daycare had 0. A cited rule is what an inspector found on the day of a visit. It is not a rating of the daycare today.

What are Little Stars Child Care Center's hours?

Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Holiday hours can differ.

How much does Little Stars Child Care Center cost?

Weekly tuition from $170 to $270, as it lists it.

What is Little Stars Child Care Center's phone number?

(319) 883-6747.

Where is Little Stars Child Care Center?

Waterloo, IA.

Sources: Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (license and visits) · U.S. Department of Labor, 2022 (county prices).