UNI Child Development Center
Welcome!
A world of wonder, exploration and learning awaits at the University of Northern Iowa Child Development Center.
When a group of parents spoke up about the need for child care while attending classes about 30 years ago, the UNI Child Development Center emerged. Since then, the center has held true to its mission by offering a safe and nurturing environment to support learning for children of faculty, staff and students of the University and, more recently, to families in the Cedar Valley.
We can serve up to 70 children with a full-day program and accept children ages six weeks to five years old.
Maria Ackerson, maria.ackerson@uni.edu, serves as the director of the CDC.
Accredited, quality care and instruction
The UNI Child Development Center is nationally accredited by NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children). We seek to continue to better ourselves and our program and strive to offer children and families the care they deserve and future educators and professionals at UNI a wonderful, hands-on experience.
Explore. Educate. Discover.
The CDC is an essential piece of the UNI College of Education, so we recognize the importance of providing a developmentally appropriate, child-directed learning environment in which children can construct their own knowledge. This type of learning happens through teacher-guided activities, hands-on experimentation and exploration to promote social, emotional, physical and cognitive development.
Classrooms
We provide childcare to children from about 6 weeks to 5 years of age in our 5-classroom center. Click the link below to learn more about what each of the different classrooms has to offer!
Enrollment
Looking to enroll your child in one of next semester’s classrooms? Click on the parent information link to learn all about how to enroll and find helpful resources.
Student Help
Many students come to the CDC looking to become employees, volunteers and/or to gain field experience for their major. Click below for more information on how to get connected!
Get Involved
Here at the CDC, we love to welcome new visitors, observers and participants. If you would like to join us, please contact Maria Ackerson, the center director, and she will guide you on next steps.
Our Staff
Our center is staffed by full-time teachers certified in early childhood education and assisted by our student staff.
A Home with Character
For 20 years, the Nielsen Field House has served as the child-friendly home for the UNI Child Development Center. With five age-appropriate classrooms, an adjacent gym, fenced outdoor playground and recently renovated office space, this historic structure provides a welcoming environment for infants to five-year-olds.
To locate us on the map, click the link below and select "Child Development Center" from the drop-down menu.