The Ames Child Care Center was established in 1985 to provide high quality, on-site child care for the infants, toddlers, and preschoolers of the civil servants, and contractors working at Ames Research Center and military employees working at Moffett Federal Air Field.

In 2005, the ACCC opened to the general public. Operation of the ACCC is governed by a parent-elected Board of Directors, which is responsible for overseeing the operations, budgets, and fundraising activities of the ACCC. The ACCC Director manages daily ACCC operations and reports to the Board of Directors.