UKids Sunnyside opening March 2026
The Student Parent Support Center is expanding access to high-quality child care with a new UKids Child Care location opening Mar 2, 2026, in a newly constructed building located at Sunnyside Apartments.
As the university continues to grow, so does the need for accessible, campus-connected child care. The new site strengthens support for student parents and working families by co-locating early childhood education within university housing. University employees who are 0.75 FTE or higher are eligible to live at Sunnyside in the new Cottonwood 792 building and the existing Cottonwood 796 and 797 buildings. The Cottonwood buildings are designed to support university student and employee families and are conveniently located within walking distance of the new child care center.
“Having housing and child care in the same place just makes life easier for families, said Virginia Despain, director for the Student Parent Support Center. “It can help cut down on commute time and give parents a little more breathing room to focus on work, school, and their kids.”
Serving children 6 weeks to 5 years old, the new UKids location was purpose-built for early childhood education. The facility includes thoughtfully designed classrooms, new furnishings, and two outdoor playgrounds—one dedicated to infants and one for children ages 3 and older.
UKIds is nationally accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), reflecting the highest standards in early childhood education. Accreditation ensures lower child-to-teacher ratios than standard licensing requirements, developmentally appropriate curriculum, and a strong focus on health, safety, and learning outcomes.
While there is a student preference for enrollment, the program also welcomes children of faculty, staff, and community members not affiliated with the university.
To enroll or learn more, call 801-587-7982 or visit childcare.utah.edu.