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Child care center 

Prairie Flower Children's Center

Ames, IA5.0· 7 reviews
open each week
5 days
a week, county median
$170

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Licensed by the stateInspection record

About

About Prairie Flower Children's Center

Prairie Flower Children's Center is a licensed child care center in Ames, Iowa. It is licensed by the state.

It is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM. It describes a Play-based approach, with after-school care, full-time care, part-time care and preschool. It says it provides meals.

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services made 4 visits in the last 3 years and cited 12 rules across 3 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.

Before- and after-schoolSummer campMeals providedAccepts child care subsidy
Ask when you call: rates, current openings, staff-to-child ratio and teacher qualifications.
Type
Child care center
Ages
Preschool ages 3-6; after-school/summer camps ages 5-12; parent-child playgroup 14 months-3 years
Hours today
8:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Capacity
Not listed

Hours

Hours

MondayToday8:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Tuesday8:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Wednesday8:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Thursday8:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Friday8:00 AM to 5:30 PM
SaturdayNot listed
SundayNot listed
Hours it lists: “Summer session hours: 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.”

Programs

Programs and care

AgesPreschool ages 3-6; after-school/summer camps ages 5-12; parent-child playgroup 14 months-3 years
ProgramsAfter-school care, full-time care, part-time care, preschool, summer camp and toddler care
ApproachPlay-based
Class sizeSummer session enrollment capped at 15 students per week
Daily lifeMeals provided; Parents pack food; Snacks provided
SafetyOutdoor playground
Assistance it acceptsIowa DHS childcare assistance; also accepts Federal Childcare Subsidy Program tuition reimbursement for federal workers
TransportationTransportation (occasional field trips via CyRide public bus)
Parent updatesParent app (Brightwheel)
A daycare without an item may still offer it; ask.

Cost

Tuition and costs

Prairie Flower Children's Center has not listed its tuition. For comparison, full-time infant care at a child care center in Story County has a median price of $170 a week (U.S. Department of Labor, 2022).

Ask the daycare for its ratesIt has not listed its tuition. The county medians below are a starting point.
Story County medians, full time, per week

Infant

Center$170
Home daycare$115

Toddler

Center$147
Home daycare$113

Preschool

Center$147
Home daycare$113

School age

Center$117
Home daycare$109

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 Prairie Flower Children's Center

License

Status
Licensed and operating
License type
Licensed Center
License number
#52291
See the state's record

Summary

4 visits in the last 3 years · Last visit Jan 21, 2026: 5 rules cited

Rules cited on 3 of 4 visits · 12 rules in all

  • Background checks 5
  • Staff training and qualifications 3
  • Records and paperwork 2
  • Health, medication and illness 1
  • Other rules 1

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 4 visits
  1. Jan 21, 2026Inspection5 rules cited
    • Background checks

      109.6(4)c

      “Center repeats Iowa record checks at a minimum of every two years or when aware of additional child abuse or criminal history that occurs.”
    • Staff training and qualifications

      109.7(1)

      “All staff (within first three months of employment): • Iowa’s training for the mandatory reporting of child abuse. • At least one hour of training regarding universal precautions. • Certification in First Aid infant, child, and adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or equivalent certification approved by the Department. A valid certificate indicating the date of training and expiration date shall be maintained. • Certification in infant, child, and adult first aid that uses a nationally recognized curriculum or is received from a nationally recognized training organization including the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, American Safety and Health Institute, or MEDIC First Aid or an equivalent certification approved by the Department. A valid certificate indicating the date of training and expiration date shall be maintained. • Minimum health and safety trainings, (Essentials) approved by the Department. If significant changes occur to content, the Department may require the training be renewed.”
    • 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.”
    • Background checks

      109.9(1)b

      “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.”
    • Staff training and qualifications

      109.9(1)c

      “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.”
  2. Jan 29, 2025Inspection5 rules cited
    • Other rules

      109.10(1)a

    • Records and paperwork

      109.9(2)

      “All files are updated at least annually and when a change occurs.”
    • 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.”
    • 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.”
    • Staff training and qualifications

      109.7(1)

      “All staff(within first 3 months of employment)”
  3. Mar 11, 2024Inspection2 rules cited
    • Background checks

      109.9(1)a

      “All files contain statement signed by staff indicating whether they have a criminal conviction or founded child/dependent adult abuse.”
    • Records and paperwork

      109.4(3)a

      “Postings are required for: • The certificate of license. • Notice of exposure to communicable disease. • Notice of decision to deny, suspend, or revoke center license or reduce to provisional status. All postings shall be conspicuously placed at main entrance of center.”
  4. Feb 8, 2024InspectionNo 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 Prairie Flower Children's Center

Is Prairie Flower Children's Center licensed?

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

When was Prairie Flower Children's Center last inspected?

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services lists the most recent visit on January 21, 2026, with 5 rules cited. It lists 4 visits in the last 3 years.

Has Prairie Flower Children's Center had rules cited by the state?

Yes. Inspectors cited 12 rules across 3 of 4 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 Prairie Flower Children's Center's hours?

Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Holiday hours can differ.

How much does Prairie Flower Children's Center cost?

It has not listed its tuition. Call (515) 292-4312 to ask.

What is Prairie Flower Children's Center's phone number?

(515) 292-4312.

Where is Prairie Flower Children's Center?

Ames, IA.

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