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    Campus Child Care Centers

    Iowa State University has three child care centers on campus, providing year-round, high-quality child care and early education to the children of staff, faculty, and students. Learn about ages served, hours of operation, locations, and availability.

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    Search Tools & Resources

    Utilize the search tools and resources we have assembled to help you find the best child care solution for your family.

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    Short Term & Back-Up Care Resources

    Explore resources for locating short-term child care options in the Ames community, designed to support students, faculty, and staff during unexpected or temporary care needs.

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    Summer Camps

    Discover a variety of local summer camps for school-age children offering fun, educational experiences across science, arts, and outdoor activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Attending or being employed by Iowa State University does not guarantee a spot at a campus child care center. However, two of our campus child care centers do prioritize enrollment for children of students, staff, and faculty.  

Child care is in very high demand in Ames and Story County, especially for infant care (0-2 years old) and waiting lists may be 6-12+ months long. We recommend getting on multiple waitlists to increase your chances of finding child care.  


 

  • The cost of child care can vary widely depending on several factors, including the type of care setting, the age of the child, and the type of care provided (such as full-time, part-time, or drop-in services). Sliding fee scales based on household income are available at all three campus child care centers. 
  • We encourage families to contact their chosen child care programs directly for specific pricing information and details about any available discounts or financial assistance options.
  • Iowa CC&R collects and updates data on child care programs throughout the year. Use the following link to see the most current data for Story County, including average weekly rates: Instant Access to Current Story County Child Care Data

  • We are happy to help if you have general questions about how child care works on campus or need help navigating your options. Please contact us or schedule an appointment.  
  • Families can receive free and personalized referrals, as well as information about evaluating different types of care options from the Iowa CCR&R Parent Service Team. You may also conduct your own child care search online using Iowa Child Care Connect, where you can search and filter for available child care based on geography or along a designated route.
  • Be sure to also check out our Tools & Resources to assist your child care search. 

Still have questions?

Our team is dedicated to assisting you every step of the way! Whether you have specific questions about child care providers, need help understanding licensing and credentials, or simply want advice on what to look for during your visits, we're here to help.