With more than half of the vote, there was a very clear winner in Patch's "Best Child Care Center" contest.

New Beginnings Childcare and Preschool ran away with the contest that pitted eight of Waukee's best child care centers against one another. The Waukee child care center garnered 79 of the 156 votes. Point of Grace Children's Academy came in second with 28 votes.

New Beginnings, formerly Happy Time Daycare and Preschool, opened in September 2011 after a high profile parting with the Point of Grace Church in Waukee.

At the time, Lori Moritz, New Beginnings executive director, said the parting was good fortune.

"I’ve said it before, but things really do happen for a reason,” said Moritz, former director of the Happy Time Daycare and Preschool.  “There’s no doubt in my mind that this was the right thing to do.”

People must be happy with the move - seventy-nine of them voted for New Beginnings in Patch's "Best Child Care Center." Congratulations, New Beginnings!