Child Development Center

The Child Development Center at Northeast Iowa Community College has been in existence on the Calmar Campus since 1978 and in Peosta since 1982. Children between the ages of six weeks and eight years of age may enroll at the Child Development Center on a first-come, first-serve basis.

One of the strengths of the Child Development Center is its professional staff; they have been selected for their knowledge of child development, interpersonal skills and willingness and dedication to the field of early childhood education, as well as their sense of wonder.

The Child Development Center administrators and staff are committed to designing environments that are developmentally appropriate and reflect values that support children’s confidence as they develop a foundation for lifelong learning. The center supports children’s efforts to communicate their feelings, needs, interests and problems in productive and creative ways.

Enrollment is open to children in the community, as well as children of NICC students, staff and faculty. Enrollment is granted without discrimination in regard to sex, race, creed, national origin or political beliefs. The centers are designed to provide low-cost, convenient, on-campus care of children. Application forms are available from the Child Development Centers on the Calmar and Peosta campuses.

The NICC Child Development Center’s goals are threefold:

  1. To create a safe and secure environment for school-age children

  2. To allow children to grow in their responsibility and freedom as they make good choices and become more independent

  3. "To bring children of diverse ages together in creative activities that will allow them access to caring, supportive people, to challenging and interesting activities, and to more productive and meaningful roles" (Erickson, 1988, p. 87)