The Children's Jungle

"Little Einsteins Nurtured Here"

About Us

"The Children's Jungle, based in Winterset, IA, has proudly served as the leading child care center in the region since 2019, extending its nurturing services to families in Winterset, Osceola, Earlham, Lorimor, Macksburg, and beyond. With over 25 years of combined experience among our dedicated staff, our licensed facility offers tailored year-round child care solutions for infants, toddlers, pre-teens, and teens. We boast a brand new playground, a dedicated toddler play area, and six classrooms designed to suit each age group. Our on-site cook crafts nutritious meals and snacks that adhere to CACFP nutrition guidelines, and we maintain a strict peanut-free environment. For further details or to arrange a tour, contact The Children's Jungle in Winterset today. "

Our Story

Established in 2019, The Children’s Jungle has quickly earned a reputation as the leading child care center in the Winterset region, proudly serving families across Winterset, Osceola, Earlham, Lorimor, Macksburg, and surrounding communities. Our story began as a small in-home daycare started by our founder, whose passion for nurturing young minds laid the foundation for what is now a vibrant, purpose-built child care center. Today, The Children’s Jungle is proudly entering its second generation of family involvement, with the founder’s daughter and niece now actively engaged in continuing the mission and values that shaped our beginnings.

Our licensed facility is thoughtfully designed from the ground up specifically for child care — not retrofitted, but custom-built to support learning, safety, and play at every developmental stage. With six spacious, age-appropriate classrooms, a brand-new playground, and a separate toddler play area, we create an environment that encourages exploration, growth, and fun for children from infancy through their teenage years.

What truly sets The Children’s Jungle apart is our commitment to cleanliness, safety, and family values. Our center is known for being exceptionally clean, well-maintained, and organized — a standard we hold ourselves to every single day. We’re more than a daycare; we’re a community built on trust, experience, and genuine care. With over 25 years of combined experience among our dedicated and compassionate staff, we provide consistent, personalized care that supports each child’s individual needs and developmental milestones.

Nutrition and wellness are also core to our program. We provide healthy meals and snacks daily, all freshly prepared by our on-site cook who follows strict CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) nutrition guidelines. To ensure the safety and well-being of all children, we maintain a completely peanut-free environment.

Open year-round, The Children’s Jungle offers flexible child care options that adapt to the needs of modern families. Whether you're seeking infant care, toddler programs, or after-school support for pre-teens and teens, we’re here to partner with you on your child’s journey.

Families looking for a safe, clean, and nurturing environment will find a second home at The Children’s Jungle. We invite you to contact us today to learn more about our programs or to schedule a personal tour of our facility. Discover the difference a purpose-built center with strong family roots can make — where children grow, learn, and thrive every day.

Areas Served

Our Certifications

LPN
Licensed Facility
CPR & first aid certified Caregivers
CDA Credential

What We Offer

Our Specialties include:

Over 25 Years of Combined Experience
New Playground
Separate Toddler Play Area and Six Age-Specific Classrooms
Local Family Owned Business
On-Site Cook Follows CACFP Nutrition Guidelines

Our Services include:

Transportation to Extracurricular Activities
Field Trips and Community Education Days
Infant and Toddler Care
Before and After School Care for Ages 6 weeks-12
Year-Round Child Care
Now Hiring

Our Products include:

Nutritious Meals and Snacks

Testimonials

On 9/13/2024 Jacob Ritter had this to say:
Jennifer and staff have been excellent to work with over the years. The importance of caring for our community’s next generation is not lost on them. We receive regular feedback on our children’s day, whether good or bad. I view the staff as an important segment in their development. They want our kiddos to be curious, well adjusted, and on track for future development. This is a wonderful place for our kiddos and I highly recommend The Children’s Jungle!

On 9/29/2021 Chelsi C. had this to say:
Jen and her staff has been truly amazing. my son has gone to the Children's Jungle since they very first opened and they treat him like family. As any first time mom I was very nervous to send my child to daycare and adding to that nervousness my son has a disability so knowing he was getting the correct care, attention, and love means the world to me. I can't say how much I appreciate the staff for all being so inclusive and kind to my son, my partner, and myself. Any time I have had a worry or concern it was dealt with in a timely manner and where I actually felt like I was being heard and seen. I highly recommend sending your kiddos here.

Contact Us

The Children's Jungle
828 W Summit St Winterset, IA 50273
Phone: (515) 462-5290
Fax: (515) 462-3695
Email: thejungle0520@gmail.com

From the 92/169 four-way stop, head West to 8th Ave then South to Summit. Turn West and drive one block down.

Where To Find Us

Payment Types Accepted

Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Personal Checks, Debit Cards

Our Hours

Holiday Hours May Vary. Please Call For Details.

Monday: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM

News

Need a Ride? We Provide Transportation!
Life gets busy — but your child’s passions shouldn’t have to wait.
The Children’s Jungle offers safe, dependable transportation to and from extracurricular activities for enrolled students.
Whether it’s dance, sports, music lessons, or after‑school clubs, we help your child stay active and involved without adding stress to your schedule.
Supporting your child’s growth should be simple, and we’re here to make it happen.

Learning Beyond the Classroom Begins Here
Adventure and education come together through engaging field trips and community education days designed to inspire curiosity and real-world learning. Children have the opportunity to explore local parks, farms, libraries, and more—turning everyday experiences into exciting learning moments.
Special visits from community helpers like firefighters, police officers, and local professionals help children understand the world around them while building social awareness and confidence. Each experience is thoughtfully planned to be fun, safe, and enriching for every age group.
These hands-on opportunities create lasting memories while helping children grow, learn, and discover new interests.
📞 515-462-5290
#EarlyLearning #FieldTrips #CommunityLearning #KidsEducation #LearningThroughPlay

Before & After School Care You Can Count On
Working families deserve peace of mind, and our before & after school program delivers exactly that.
Kids ages 6 weeks–12 years enjoy a structured, supportive environment with:
• Homework help
• Fun enrichment activities
• Outdoor play
• Nutritious snacks prepared on‑site
Serving Winterset, Osceola, Earlham, Lorimor, Macksburg, and surrounding communities, we’re here to make your family’s routine smoother and your child’s day brighter.

Year‑Round Child Care for Busy Families
Consistency matters — for kids and for parents.
That’s why The Children’s Jungle offers full year‑round child care, giving your family reliable support no matter the season.
With six age‑specific classrooms, a brand‑new playground, and a dedicated toddler area, every day is filled with learning, play, and discovery.
Secure your spot now and give your child a place where they can grow all year long.

🚌 Transportation to Extracurricular Activities Made Easy 🚌
At The Children’s Jungle, we help busy families by providing safe and reliable transportation to and from extracurricular activities. Whether it’s sports, lessons, clubs, or after‑school programs, you can count on us to get your child where they need to be—on time and with care.
Our goal is to support your child’s growth and interests while giving parents peace of mind and added convenience.
📞 Contact The Children’s Jungle today to learn more about our transportation services!

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FAQ

What ages of children do you accept?

We provide care for infants, toddlers, pre-teens, and teens. Our programs are tailored to meet the developmental needs of each age group.

What are your hours of operation?

We offer year-round child care. Please contact us directly for current hours and holiday schedules.

Are you a licensed facility?

Yes, The Children's Jungle is a fully licensed child care center with over 25 years of combined staff experience.

Do you provide meals and snacks?

Yes! Our on-site cook prepares nutritious meals and snacks that follow CACFP nutrition guidelines. We also maintain a strict peanut-free environment.

How do I schedule a tour?

To arrange a tour, please contact us directly. We’d love to show you around and answer any questions in person.

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