A Place of Care and Learning
Child Development Center
Established more than 30 years ago in response to a need for on-campus childcare, UNI’s Child Development Center has made a lasting impact.
Today, the center provides care for 62 children — ranging from six weeks of age to five years old — who are primarily children of UNI faculty, staff and students. It’s supported by 10 lead teachers and a team of 50 student staff members. Every day, it strives to create a safe and nurturing environment that fosters each child’s learning and development.
But the space is more than a childcare center. It also serves as a learning lab for UNI students pursuing degrees in early childhood education and related fields.
“It gives them the chance to get hands-on experience by working as staff, volunteering or fulfilling their field experience hours — an important part of their college learning,” says Maria Ackerson, center director.
Inside the center, there’s a strong emphasis on child-directed learning. That means children are encouraged to explore, play and build knowledge through teacher-guided activities and hands-on discovery. This method is proven to support their social, emotional, physical and cognitive development.
The center’s impact reaches far beyond the classroom, too. By offering high-quality childcare, it enables UNI families to better balance their academic and professional responsibilities.
A recognized asset
One of the center's proudest accomplishments is its accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), a prestigious designation that highlights its commitment to excellence in early childhood education.
“It’s a national mark of quality that not every center earns,” Ackerson explains. “For parents, this means peace of mind knowing their children are in a safe, supportive and enriching environment that follows the highest standards in early childhood education. For UNI students, it’s a great place to learn because they get to work in a setting that models best practices.”
The center recently renewed its accreditation with an impressive overall rating of 96%. Even more remarkable: all three classrooms scored a perfect 100%.
That’s a big deal.
“The center is an incredible asset to our campus,” says Allison Barness, assistant professor of early childhood education. “It not only provides high-quality care and education for young children, but it also serves as a living laboratory where our teacher education students can observe, engage and grow as professionals. The opportunity for hands-on experience in such a supportive, real-world environment is truly invaluable.”
Raising Funds for Play
The Child Development Center is currently fundraising to update and improve its outdoor playground — an initiative that reflects the center’s continued dedication to creating engaging and developmentally appropriate spaces for children.
Outdoor play is fun, but it’s also important to a child’s physical, social and emotional growth. As the current playground begins to show its age, Director Maria Ackerson says improvements are needed to ensure the space remains stimulating and up to modern safety standards.
The planned updates — including new equipment and thoughtful design changes — will reduce injury risks and make the space more accessible for all children, including those with special needs.
The results? Happier, more active kids, and future teachers who are even better prepared to lead.