Creative Center for Young Children (CCYC)

Des Moines’ only  fine arts focused preschool and child care center – located in the historic downtown First United Methodist Church. We’ll introduce your child to artists – including visual artists, poets, musicians, and dancers – at an age appropriate level, allowing him/her to experience and experiment with a variety of art genres.

At CCYC, we don’t just want to meet state and national best practice standards, we want to exceed them – that’s why we staff an additional teacher in each classroom to maximize one-on-one interactions with your child. 

We approach every day with imagination, innovation, and most of all, fun!  To learn more about our program please visit our curriculum page. 

Visit our Curriculum page

Upcoming Events

October 30, 2020
No School for DMPS students

November 2-3, 2020
No School for DMPS students

November 25, 2020
No School for DMPS students

November 26-27, 2020
CCYC Closed for Thanksgiving

Parent Testimonials

West Testimonial:

After considering a number of daycare options for our son we chose CCYC and could not be happier with the decision.  It is clear that the teachers are happy and love working there which means they are always focused on caring for and teaching their students, my child, every day.  Perhaps most importantly, our son is happy to go (and sometimes not happy to leave!) everyday and we see marked development in his socialization, artistic ability and academics.

Fitzgerald Testimonial:

I toured three other centers and was leery on what I witnessed.  The fourth and FINAL tour was CCYC.  I was blown away at the learning programs they offer.  They work with each kid on their developmental level, offer Spanish and have dance class and are hands on in the classroom.  Not to mention all the wonderful places they visit the learning experiences.  Plus, they keep parents involved and updated on your child’s progress. 

Smith Testimonial:

From the moment we walked into the doors of CCYC, we felt right at home.  We were so impressed on many levels.  The curriculum is well thought out.  The facility has something for every style of learning: hands on, listening, movement, and social.  The staff always makes us feel that our child is important, understood, and well taken care of when he is there. 

Richards Testimonial:

We’ve been with CCYC for over four years with both our children and have always been pleased with the excellent attention they’ve received from all their CCYC caregivers.  We’ve developed many close relationships with the staff and trust in the care they give our children.  We’ve heard from our son’s elementary teacher on how well prepared he was in transitioning into Kindergarten and I believe we have CCYC teachers to thank for that success. 

 

Kitundu Testimonial:

Our family has been fortunate to be a part of CCYC for the past six years.  Both of our children were prepared to enter Kindergarten as a result of the CCYC teachers, and both are flourishing in elementary school because of the foundation they had at CCYC. 

Brustkern Testimonial:

We came for lunch one day last month. Your lunch routine is lovely for the children. Thank you for our tasty lunch and making it possible to come and enjoy not only our grandson but all the children!

As a retired teacher, I always am sensitive to the environment and surroundings when it comes to our grandson.  Each time I have come to your daycare I am thrilled to find and observe everything not only positive but above and beyond wonderful. Your staff truly do care for all the children.

It is obvious this is not just a job for the teachers. We have been in our grandson’s classroom many times now and each and every time I observe all the teachers using kind and gentle but firm tones as they guide and direct the children. They are all very consistent in their expectations. The Picasso teachers are especially talented as far as including the children in all activities and incorporating learning skills as they ask the children questions ‘as they play’.

You give our grandson the consistency he loves, the kind tones he truly needs, the patience he craves, and the understanding he so desperately should have at his age.