Child Care Services
We understand that choosing a child care provider is one of the more important decisions you will make for your child. Iowa State University is home to three child care centers, each of which is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). In addition, each center has achieved a Level 5 on the Iowa Quality Rating System (QRS), the highest possible ranking. Additional community child care resources are also listed below.
Click here for a list of Frequently Asked Questions.
University Community Childcare
2623 Bruner Drive | (515) 294-9838
Director: Stacy Lehman
Ages: Infants through school-age
Hours: 7:00am-5:30pm, Monday-Friday
ISU Child Care Center at Veterinary Medicine
1520 Christensen Drive | (515) 294-2273
Director: Angela Adams
Ages: Infants through preschool
Hours: 7:00am-6:00pm, Monday-Friday
ISU Child Development Laboratory School
4380 Palmer Building, Ste. 035 | (515) 294-3040
Director: Jennifer Van Ryswyk
Ages: Infants through preschool
Hours: 7:30am-5:30pm, Monday-Friday
Additional Resources
In addition to the campus child care centers, the City of Ames and surrounding communities have many child care options for you to explore. However, it can get overwhelming trying to find the right child care provider. The resources below are available to aid your search.
Iowa Child Care Resource & Referral
If you need some help finding child care providers in your area, Iowa Child Care Resource & Referral is available to assist you with your child care search! Available in all 99 counties, their free parent referral service will give you a customized list of local child care providers who may have openings for your child. Call (855) 244-5301 to speak with a Parent Referral Specialist, Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm.
Iowa Department of Human Services - Child Care Provider Search
The Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) is the agency which supervises child care providers in the state of Iowa. One their website, you can search for child care providers in your area, based upon a variety of criteria.
Iowa Department of Human Services - Child Care Compliance Reports
The Iowa Department of Human Services is required to make child care provider compliance and complaint reports to the public.
Care.com
Helps families find child care, senior care, special needs care, tutoring, pet care, housekeeping, etc. Families are able to sign up and search for providers.
College Sitter Contact
Connects families with highly qualified college student child care providers in a safe, convenient, and reliable way. Families are able to sign up and search for providers.