Daycare and Preschool in West Des Moines, IA. | Primrose School of West Des Moines

Q: What curriculum or educational philosophy do you follow?

Our s chool uses the proprietary Primrose Schools Balanced Learning® curriculum, which is research-informed and designed to nurture the whole child — intellectually, socially, emotionally and physically. We believe in balancing teacher-guided learning with purposeful play to build a strong foundation for the future .

Q: How do you support school readiness and the transition to kindergarten?

All of o ur program s are designed in age- appropriate ways to prepare children for kindergarten and beyond. We focus on early literacy and numeracy as well as social-emotional skill development — so children arrive at kindergarten confident and ready to thrive. 96% of Primrose Schools Pre-K students met ASQ benchmarks for problem solving.*

Q: How do you keep parents informed about their child's day?

C onnect ing school to home is one of the ways we help child ren thrive . We use the Procare app to share daily updates and photos so you stay connected to your child’s joy, learning and special moment s

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The Leader in Early Education and Care®

Hours & Location

M-F 6:30 am-6:00 pm

515-500-7781

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Early Education and Care in West Des Moines, IA

Our school is more than a daycare. Through purposeful play and nurturing guidance, we help lay the foundation for a lifelong love of learning. Right down the road from Brookview Elementary School and Jordan Creek Town Center, we are conveniently located on Coachlight Drive. Come by and see Balanced Learning® in action.

Every Moment Matters

The components of our Balanced Learning® approach are intentionally aligned to create developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
Your child will stay engaged all day with the right balance of child-initiated and teacher-guided learning experiences.
Our students learn the foundational skills to develop Active Minds, Healthy Bodies, and Happy Hearts® that will forge a path to a brighter future.

Franchise Owners

Deepa Parekh and Umesh Parekh

Deepa and Umesh Parekh are the dynamic duo behind the Primrose School of West Des Moines, as proud franchise owners and operators. Their journey in the world of premium early childhood education began with the successful establishment of the Primrose School of Urbandale, which opened its doors approximately three years ago.

Deepa brings over a decade of invaluable experience in early childhood education to the table. Her keen insight into the critical need for high-quality early education inspired the Parekhs to embark on their mission to make a difference in their community.

On the other hand, Umesh is a seasoned business owner with a proven track record, having previously managed retail stores nationwide. Together, their shared passion for giving back to the community fueled their search for an opportunity to nurture the next generation of bright citizens.

Their journey to Des Moines was sparked by a visit to their daughter at Drake University, where they were captivated by the vibrant life and culture of the Midwest, particularly the warm embrace of the Des Moines community. When their business partner highlighted the exceptional quality of education offered by Primrose Schools, Deepa and Umesh saw it as the perfect fit for their vision.

Drawing from their over three years of experience in Urbandale, the Parekhs recognize the pressing need to support the local community by providing top-notch education and care. As parents themselves, they deeply understand the emotional weight and significance of decisions regarding a child’s early education, driving their commitment to excellence.

Deepa and Umesh take immense pride in spearheading an exceptional academic program in West Des Moines. Their hands-on involvement in daily operations reflects their unwavering dedication to creating a safe, nurturing, and encouraging environment where families can take pride in their children’s experiences at Primrose School of West Des Moines.

Gallery

Harmony & Heart in the Infant Room

During Harmony & Heart Time, infants explored familiar sounds and rhythms while engaging in our special Musical Moments. As they discovered soft instruments and musical picture cards tucked inside their blocks, simple sounds and images captured their attention and invited them to listen, observe, and explore. This experience supports early thinking and language development as teachers name instruments, describe sounds, and talk about the music we hear every day. Through gentle, sensory-rich exploration, infants begin to build an understanding of rhythm, sound, and expression—one musical moment at a time.

Wonder Time 2

During Wonder Time 2, our infants explored blue and yellow crayons, taking time to observe the colors and then create their very own artwork. This simple experience supported early creativity, color recognition, and fine motor development as they joyfully scribbled and discovered. 💙💛🖍️

Og's Book Bag and Story Time

Our preschoolers had an absolute blast during OG’s Story Time this morning! Cameron proudly shared his book of choice, a Spider-Man story full of action and excitement that kept everyone engaged from beginning to end. It was such a hit that the class asked him to read it again, making story time extra special and confidence-building for Cameron.

Noggin Joggin in Pre-K!

During Noggin Joggin Time, our Pre-K class gathered with Ms. Promise to go over the day’s curriculum in a fun and engaging way. She introduced what we would be learning and helped children get excited about the activities ahead. The class also sang familiar songs together, building a sense of routine and connection while supporting language and listening skills. This special time helps children prepare for their day, strengthen their focus, and feel confident as they transition into learning—all while having fun with music and movement!

Small Group Literacy

Pre-Kindergartners explored letters, sounds, and words by acting out the sentence “I can move my ___,” connecting movement to print awareness and understanding spacing between words. Through phonics practice, I Spy blending games, and writing high-frequency words, they strengthened early reading and writing skills in a fun, active, and engaging way.

Toddlers Noggin Joggin

Noggin Joggin’, our toddlers practiced both thinking and moving as they guessed the airplane, said its name, and pretended to fly during the High/Low game. The fun continued as we made a paper airplane together and took turns flying it, supporting language development, turn-taking, and gross motor skills.

Outside Time

At our school, each age group has its own designated playground designed specifically for their developmental needs and safety. Children go outside twice a day for 45 minutes, following the guidelines on the child care weather chart to ensure conditions are safe and comfortable. Outdoor play gives children daily opportunities to explore, move, and learn through fresh-air activities.

Wonder Time 1 in Early Preschool

During Wonder Time, our Early Preschool students explored the sequence of a morning routine in a hands-on, engaging way. Each child selected a Morning Routine Experience Card from a mystery bag and used baby dolls and classroom toys to act out the routine shown. As children finished, their classmates guessed which part of the morning routine was being demonstrated. Together, the class worked to place the cards in order, using ordinal words like first, next, and last while discussing how the morning progresses. We wrapped up by singing “This Is the Way” and pantomiming each activity, reinforcing that a morning routine happens every day and follows a predictable pattern. ☀️🧸

Rules of the Roost!

The Rules of the Roost are a set of simple, consistent guidelines used in classrooms from Young Toddlers through Transitional Kindergarten. These rules are designed to create uniform expectations across age groups, helping children understand routines, boundaries, and respectful behavior. Teachers model and reinforce the rules daily, guiding students to practice key social-emotional and self-regulation skills such as listening, sharing, following directions, and taking turns. By providing consistency and structure, the Rules of the Roost support children’s growth, build confidence, and create a positive learning environment where all students can thrive.

PBS Visits Preschool

We were excited to welcome a special producer from PBS Iowa to read to our students! Experiences like this bring stories to life and spark children’s curiosity about books, literacy, and the world around them. At Primrose, we regularly add engaging curriculum activities like guest readers, hands-on projects, and interactive lessons to make learning fun, meaningful, and memorable. These special experiences enhance our Balanced Learning® approach by combining education, creativity, and excitement for lifelong learning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all staff members background-checked and CPR/first-aid certified?

Yes. Every Primrose staff member undergoes a thorough background check before joining our school. All staff are also CPR and first–aid certified, so you can feel confident your child is in safe, prepared hands every day.

What curriculum or educational philosophy do you follow?

Our school uses the proprietary Primrose Schools Balanced Learning® curriculum, which is research-informed and designed to nurture the whole child — intellectually, socially, emotionally and physically. We believe in balancing teacher-guided learning with purposeful play to build a strong foundation for the future.

How do you support school readiness and the transition to kindergarten?

All of our programs are designed in age-appropriate ways to prepare children for kindergarten and beyond. We focus on early literacy and numeracy as well as social-emotional skill development — so children arrive at kindergarten confident and ready to thrive. 96% of Primrose Schools Pre-K students met ASQ benchmarks for problem solving.*

What are your hours of operation?

We are open Monday through Friday from 6:30 am-6:00 pm.

How do you keep parents informed about their child's day?

Connecting school to home is one of the ways we help children thrive. We use the Procare app to share daily updates and photos so you stay connected to your child’s joy, learning and special moments