Mission statement: Creating a nurturing and enriching environment in order for our community's children to thrive.

Full day and part day childcare programs are available for children from the ages of six weeks through eleven years old. Infant, toddler and preschool children may enroll full days throughout the year. The Tumblin' Tigers preschool provides part day childcare services for 3 - 5 year old children and the Cheerful Cheetahs preschool provides part day services for children 2.5 - 5 years old. UCC is a community site for the Statewide Voluntary Preschool program, a program of the Ames Community School District. Annually 10-12 four year old children are eligible for 10 free hours of preschool in this program. The program is operated within the Tumblin' Tigers preschool program.

Approximately 55% of the families UCC serves each year are students at Iowa State University. UCC is able to provide child care at a reduced rate to income eligible ISU student families. The rest of the clients served are children of ISU staff, faculty, and other Ames community families, all of whom pay higher rates based on their individual family incomes. The need for childcare is greater than UCC's ability to provide services and a waiting list is maintained.

Parents are able to attend school and/or work throughout the day while their children are enrolled at UCC. The services are provided by a well-trained and qualified staff of early childhood professionals. Qualifications for full time teaching staff include a CDA (Child Development Associate Credential), AA in Early Childhood Education, a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child and Family Services or Elementary Education and education in a related area. The center staff offer a curriculum for the children determined by their individual ages, developmental status and current best practice based on knowledge of how young children learn and grow. UCC maintains accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). In 2021, UCC earned a 5 year renewal by continuing to comply with their high standards of quality for early learning programs. UCC's level 5 rating on the Iowa Quality For Kids Program (IQ4K) was renewed and the rating is effective through May 2026.  This is the highest rating on the IQ4K scale.