Find accredited childcare and early learning at Indiana University Bloomington. Our early learning centers provide care and education for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, with priority enrollment for IU faculty, staff, and students.
Children learn through play, exploration, and caring relationships in classrooms designed to support healthy growth and school readiness.
Early Childhood Education Services and childcare at IU Bloomington
Choose the right center for your family
Why families choose IU early learning centers
Our early learning centers meet the highest standards in early childhood education.
- Qualified early childhood educators
- Research-based curriculum
- Ages served: 6 weeks to 5 years
- Three Bloomington campus locations
- Waitlist enrollment
- Priority for IU faculty, staff, students
Top possible rating (Level 4) in Indiana’s Paths to QUALITY program
Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children
How IU early learning differs from traditional day care
Both childcare and early learning programs provide safe, nurturing care for children. IU's early learning centers also use a research-based curriculum that supports children's social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development through age-appropriate learning experiences.
Day care typically provides:
- Supervision and basic care
- Playtime and routine activities
- Flexible care for working families
Early learning programs (like IU's) provide:
- Research-based curriculum designed for child development
- Age-appropriate learning through play and exploration
- Social, emotional, and cognitive skill development
- Qualified early childhood educators
Early learning helps children build foundational skills before kindergarten, supporting long-term academic and developmental success.