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

Curriculm Page

Upcoming Events

July 4, 2025

CCYC Closed for 4th of July 

August 25, 2025
First day of School DTS & DMPS 

August 25-29, 2025
Transition Week

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. 

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. 

Carter Testimonial

We have utilized and toured multiple daycares and can confidently say that no other downtown facility compares. Our three kids immediately advanced once they started at CCYC both socially and intellectually. CCYC truly operates like a pre-K program with structured days and incredible learning activities. And unlike other facilities, they focus on getting children out of the classroom to move and explore on a daily basis. Even more importantly, CCYC has become like a second family to all of us. The teachers and directors are incredible, caring, and kind, and really get to know every single family and child. We are already dreading our oldest girls starting kindergarten next fall, but purposefully chose the downtown school so we can stay a part of the CCYC family through the after-school program. We can’t thank CCYC enough for all they do for us and our kiddos.

King Testimonial

My family and I can’t speak highly enough of CCYC. We came to Des Moines without knowing anyone as my husband began his residency program. As a mother of two with no family around, working full time, and my husband very busy at the hospital, I relied heavily on the support provided by this daycare. My children needed long hours of care during the day due our schedule, and CCYC met those needs beautifully.

My children have loved it here. They love their friends, their teachers, and all the fine arts activities imaginable. We have loved the various rooms for the kids to go to in order to break up the long day. The gym has been amazing for extreme temperature days, and my kids have loved all the artwork. CCYC helped potty train my son, they’ve help teach him all his letters, and they’ve set him up for success in kindergarten. We are beyond thankful for this gem, and I recommend CCYC to anyone looking for supportive care that will help your children grow, imagine, learn, and play.

Sorensen Testimonial

CCYC has been a great fit for our very energetic twins! We noticed an immediate improvement in their mood and behavior compared to their previous center, thanks to the many movement opportunities throughout the day. As a family of artists and musicians, we love the creative focus, and the teachers put so much time and care into special events and parent-teacher conferences. We’ve also been grateful for their support with food allergies and potty training. We highly recommend CCYC!  

Kessinger Testimonial

CCYC has been a wonderful place for our son to grown and develop and our daughter will join him soon.  CCYC was recommended by several other parents whose children attended daycare thru after school that said great things.  They have incredibly thoughtful, attentive teachers, the ideal curriculum that includes, art, movement, play, and learning, and clean big facilities.  We have been so happy with their care and staff as they have helped our son become the curious, smart kid he is today. 

Brustkern Testimonial

We came for lunch one day.  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 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 as 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 this age. 

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