What's the best child care center in Waukee? That’s the question we're asking readers in Patch's next Readers' Choice/Best of contest.

It's one of those questions - if you're a parent - that you agonize and obsess over when you find yourself searching for the right place to take your kids. Once you find it, settle in and it becomes part of your routine, it's hard to let go. The caregivers there become more like family than paid caregivers and the children in your child's class, well, they are likely to be some of the best friends your child will ever make.

Now's the time to show them how much you appreciate all they do for you, your children and your sanity.

Over the next couple weeks, we're asking you to cast a vote for your favorite child care center in Waukee. Because this poll is not scientific, it is not the sole consideration in choosing a winner. The winner will be determined by the Patch editor, based on poll results and reviews on our Patch Directory. Please vote only once per survey, per Patch.

Participants in the "Best Child Care Center" contest include:

• First Steps, 95 Laurel St.
• Little Wonders, 31634 Silverado Ln.
• Point of Grace Children's Academy, 305 N.E. Dartmoor Dr.
• WestSide Kids, 145 N.E. Dartmoor Dr.
• Waukee Headstart, 540 Walnut St.
• New Beginnings, 400 Locust St. (in the old Waukee Elementary)
• Joyful Noise Preschool, 650 Ashworth Dr.
• Kid's Company, 75 Fourth St.

Vote in the poll at the bottom of the page. Ties will be broken by whichever business has the most positive comments in the section below.

So get to voting and remember to tell us why your pick should be named the Best Child Care Center in Waukee in the comments below.