Childcare Resources

 
The current environment and the swift and significant responses to it pose new challenges for parents who need back-up childcare. Below is information about Bright Horizons, which serves children of faculty members, other academic appointees, postdoctoral researchers, staff, and students in space originally designed to meet the childcare and educational needs of children ages six weeks to five years old, maximizing learning and ensuring safety.

  • Bright Horizons now operates one of its two onsite childcare centers at the University of Chicago. Currently, that center is available to the children of workers deemed essential in accord with Governor Pritzker’s order. Bright Horizons will follow the COVID-19 guidance from city, state, and federal authorities, including closing the center if advised.

  • Bright Horizons has also obtained a license that allows them to welcome 6 – 12-year-old children into repurposed classrooms with teachers trained for that age cohort. Parents of essential employees may also enroll their children of these ages at the Drexel Center.

  • Families may call the center to discuss enrollment opportunities, particularly for preschoolers. Enrollment paperwork is available at enroll.brighthorizons.com by using the drop box to select Illinois and then completing the information applicable to the child. Bright Horizons will conduct a verbal health screening to confirm program eligibility before scheduling a center tour. During that call, they will discuss availability and documentation needed prior to the child’s first day. (Bright Horizons’ Covid-19 policy)

For more information about childcare options during the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit the Spring 2020 website.