Welcome to the Johnston New Horizon Academy in Iowa! Our school is located off NW 62nd Avenue and NW 86th Street and has been serving families in Johnston, Urbandale, Grimes, and surrounding areas with quality childcare and education since 2019. With beautiful classrooms, highly trained teachers, rigorous health and safety procedures, and national accreditations, we know your family will feel right at home at New Horizon Academy! Our Johnston early childhood center offers programs for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-agers. We use a research-based daycare curriculum that includes STEAM, reading, social-emotional learning, and more – all with the goal of preparing young children for kindergarten and beyond! You’re invited to tour our Johnston daycare, see our classrooms, and meet our dedicated teachers. Schedule a tour at New Horizon Academy Johnston today!
Awards and Accolades
Hello! My name is Haleigh Johnson, and I am the director of our Johnston location. I started working in childcare in 2017 and have never looked back because of how much I enjoy working with young children. In my free time, I enjoy going on walks with my dog, spending time with family, and occasional trips to Target.
Education – University of Northern Iowa
Years of Early Childhood Education Experience: 7
What do you like about early childhood?
I am passionate about encouraging children and creating safe spaces for them to grow and learn. Knowing that 80% of a child’s development occurs in their first three years is crucial, and being a part of that process is incredibly rewarding. Providing a nurturing environment where all children can develop their social and emotional skills is my focus and what I am truly passionate about.
What makes your school unique?
At our Johnston location, we have the highest retention rate of staff compared to all other New Horizon Academy schools in Iowa. This allows our staff to provide structure for the children and foster healthy relationships with our families. Our location is also accredited by the National Association for the Education of Your Children (NAEYC). To receive this accreditation, New Horizon Academy Johnson follows their best practices and procedures to promote high quality learning for all young children.
What is your favorite children’s book?
“The Pout-Pout Fish” by Deborah Diesen
I have been working in childcare centers for over 8 years, but have been working with children for close to 15 years! I love being a part of such an important time in their life, and seeing all the learning and growth that happens in the early years. Outside of work, I can usually be found trying new restaurants and coffee shops around Des Moines, attending yoga classes, and hanging out with friends and family. I also love to travel, especially to the beach!
Education – CDA, Currently pursing AA in Early Childhood Education
Years of Early Childhood Education Experience: 8+
What do you like about early childhood?
I love being a part of all the learning that happens at such an early age, and I love seeing the children’s personalities develop as they get older.
What makes your school unique?
We have a lot of staff and families that have been here for years—it truly makes our school feel like a family!
What is your favorite children’s book?
“If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” by Laura Numeroff
At New Horizon Academy Johnston, childcare tuition rates vary by:
Please fill out our contact form or schedule a tour, and our school director will provide your family with personalized tuition rates.
Request Johnston Tuition Rates
We are proud to be a Child Care Aware® partner, offering support and quality care to military families. Ask our director for more information about how we can support your family!
Yes! At New Horizon Academy Johnston, we have an on-site cook trained in nutrition, USDA guidelines, and proper portions for young children. Our school provides nutritious and nourishing meals every day including breakfast, lunch, and snack. All meals are included in the cost of tuition.
If your child has a special nutritional need, a food allergy, or requires adaptation to our menu, please alert our school director, and we will partner with your family to create a suitable meal plan.
Our Johnston school offers both full-time and part-time schedules to accommodate the different needs of our families.
Please contact our school director for current childcare openings and availability.
At New Horizon Academy Johnston, we follow Iowa state guidelines for licensed daycare staff-to-child ratios:
According to our 2024 Family Survey results, 100% of families in Johnston recommend New Horizon Academy.
An investment in a New Horizon Academy education is an investment in your child’s future. Families trust New Horizon Academy to set their children up for success. Here are a few reasons why:
From a single preschool classroom in 1971 to 100 schools today, much has changed for New Horizon Academy, but our commitment to children, families, teachers, and our communities remains the same.
One hundred percent of our eligible schools are accredited by NAEYC, the gold standard in early childhood accreditation. This is an accomplishment no other childcare provider of our size has achieved.
We hire teachers with experience, give them the training and support they need to succeed, pay them above market average, and help them achieve their goals. This results in stable, consistent care for your child.
Our state-of-the-art schools provide children with thoughtfully designed classrooms, playgrounds, and learning tools. We regularly update our schools to ensure they reflect our high standards for safety, quality, and care.
Your child’s safety and well-being always come first. Our childcare centers create caring, secure environments focused on supporting each child’s health and happiness. You can feel confident that your child is in good hands.
Our research-based curriculum offers engaging, hands-on activities in STEAM, language and literacy, social-emotional learning, physical development, and more to support kindergarten readiness and lifelong learning.
As an organization, we strive to foster a welcoming and inclusive culture where all children, families, and staff feel a sense of belonging. We approach our relationships with curiosity, compassion, and respect.
A nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snack are prepared fresh each day by our school chef, with menus developed by our nutrition specialist to ensure every meal is balanced. All meals are included in the cost of tuition!
Our mobile app keeps parents connected with daily updates, allowing teachers to share information, send messages, and delight you with photos and videos from your child’s day, so you never miss a moment.
Families are always welcome to come in for visits, participate in activities, and join us for family fun events. We love having parents involved in their child’s learning and value every opportunity to build a strong community.
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