Childcare

Family Services offers a variety of programs and resources for University of Iowa families.

Faculty, Staff, and Students

Finding Childcare

Search for licensed childcare centers, preschools, and home-based childcare near your home or work.

Back-Up Childcare

Back-up or occasional childcare resources

Campus Connected Childcare

Privately-owned childcare centers close to campus

Summer Programs

Explore summer programs in Iowa City and the surrounding area.

Lactation Room Locations

Interactive campus map shows lactation rooms near you

Faculty

J.J. Neiman-Brown Memorial Fund

This fund supports child or other caretaking costs for University of Iowa tenured, tenure-track, and non-tenure-track faculty and postdoctoral researchers.

Students

Childcare Subsidy Program

Financial assistance for undergraduate or graduate student parents

Mental Health Resources

University Counseling Services provides mental health resources for student parents

Pregnancy and Parenting Resources

Information on accommodations, academic supports, campus and community resources, financial assistance, and health care.

Informal Networking Opportunities

Informal networking opportunities are available on various apps and social media outlets, including:

Please note that the University of Iowa does not endorse any childcare providers, and it does not conduct any suitability, background or criminal checks of any provider in this process. It is ultimately your responsibility to evaluate the provider you select before hiring for care.

Other Resources

Adoption Resources

University of Iowa Leaves and Support

Local and National Resources

Community Childcare Resources

Childcare Resources

Please note that the University of Iowa does not endorse any childcare providers, and it does not conduct any suitability, background or criminal checks of any provider in this process. It is ultimately your responsibility to evaluate the provider you select before hiring for care.

Financial Assistance

Childcare Subsidy Program: Eligibility criteria, application process, and online application
Office of Student Financial Aid, 319-335-1450: Student loans through the Office of Student Financial Aid may be available to help with childcare costs. To apply, a student must have a FAFSA, federal tax return, and University of Iowa Verification Form on file with Financial Aid.
Iowa Department of Human Services/Childcare Assistance: Eligibility based on income
Johnson County Empowerment Funding: Eligibility based on income
- Empowerment Programs
- School Ready Scholarships
HACAP/Head Start Educational Programs
National Guard and Other Branches of the Military: For National Guard families seeking childcare financial assistance; call 1-800-424-2246 or email ngccp@guardfamily.org

UI Benefits

Dependent Care Spending Plan: Available to UI staff and faculty as a flexible benefit option to assist with childcare expenses; contact UI Benefits office 319-335-2676 for more information
Family Caregiving Leave, Policy Manual
Employee Leave Overview
Catastrophic Leave, Policy Manual

Tips for Choosing Childcare

Childcare Aware is partly funded by the Office of Childcare, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and includes information on types of care, choosing childcare, and evaluating providers.