Welcome to

 Iowa State University's

Back-up/Emergency Child Care Program

Whether it's a child who is sick, or a provider who is unavailable (due to illness or vacation), emergency child care situations can be frustrating and difficult to deal with. These programs are designed to address your emergency child care needs and we are pleased to offer services to all eligible faculty, staff and student families. 

Iowa State University's back-up child care programs provide student and working parents with a safety net for those days when regular child care arrangements fall through. Back-up child care supplements, rather than replaces these arrangements and is a comforting emergency alternative when you need it the most. Remember, even the best planned child care arrangements can be disrupted from time to time. By planning ahead and knowing your options, you can be prepared to meet the unexpected. Thinking ahead and planning for such unexpected situations can give you peace of mind and reduce your stress level if the emergency does occur.

Let's get started!

• When Would I Need Back-up or Emergency Care?
• My child is sick!
• THE COMFORT ZONE...day care for kids who don't feel so good
• Tips to be Prepared
• CHECK IT OUT!
• YWCA Sitter's List
  
• Back-up Child Care Services at ISU
  
• Campus Child Care Centers
• Need Help understanding what programs you have access to?
  

When Would I Need Back-up or Emergency Care?

Whether it's a child who is sick, or a provider who is unavailable (due to illness or vacation), emergency child care situations can be frustrating and difficult to deal with. These programs are designed to address your emergency child care needs and we are pleased to offer services to all eligible faculty, staff and student families. 

• Your child is ill;
• Your regular caregiver is ill, on vacation, or has a sudden emergency;
• Your regular child care arrangements break down and you need to time to find a new arrangement;
• Unexpected circumstances such as travel for work, overtime, car trouble.

My child is sick!

Children inevitably get sick and for working or student parents these illnesses can cause great difficulty. It can be tough to judge if your child is too ill to attend their regular child care program. Ask yourself if your child can participate comfortably and whether or not his needs will interfere with the care of the other children. Be familiar with your child care program's policies on illness. Do not pressure your caregivers to take your sick child as it is their responsibility to maintain a healthy environment for all the children enrolled.
While every parent would prefer to stay at home when their child is sick, it's good to know there is a caring option available in a pinch.

THE COMFORT ZONE...day care for kids who don't feel so good

Tips to be prepared

All parents of young children should have a back-up plan for childcare options but in most cases, parents develop a plan only after crisis hits. Sooner or later, your childcare provider will call and cancel the morning you least need it to happen.
So how do you plan so you won't be left at the last minute without a care provider on the worst possible day for it to happen?

• Find more than one backup care arrangement!   CCR&R of Central Iowa can help you meet your child care needs. Visit http://www.centraliowachildcare.org/webreferrals/indexnew.html to begin your FREE and CONFIDENTIAL child care search.
• Visit as many potential backup child care arrangements as possible with your child.
• Keep a file of providers with their phone numbers and available hours.
• Have copies of paperwork such as birth certificates and immunization records ready.
• Organize a list and make extra copies of important family information such as phone numbers and addresses, your child's allergies, sleep patterns, and favorite activities.
• Complete preregistration materials for programs that require advance paperwork.
• Know your employer's policies around your taking time off from work. The university has a strong set of policies and programs designed to support members of the ISU community in their multiple professional and personal roles. Visit ISU's work/life resources at http://www.provost.iastate.edu/worklife/facstaff/ to help you manage your work/life.

CHECK IT OUT!

At the same time you set up your regular child care, begin to consider your options for backup care. Start right away. It is inevitable your child care will break down at some point. You may need to use a combination of options to provide care.

If you haven't already asked, now is the time to find out how your regular provider can help. Ask about policies for ill children, scheduled closed days, and substitute care. Discuss with your caregiver your need for as much notice as possible and whether she has any friends who might be able to help you in a pinch.

Whether you're going to use a drop-in center or temporary caregivers, it's a good idea to call and schedule a visit. Both you and your child will feel more comfortable on the day you need care if you've made the time to visit beforehand. Many programs are open early in the morning and early evening which may be more convenient times for you to visit.

Visit as many potential caregivers as possible. Let your child explore as you ask questions to determine whether you're comfortable with the quality of care. Just as you searched for regular child care, you will be looking for a safe, healthy, and comfortable place to leave your child.

Consider which of your relatives, friends or neighbors might be available to help you on an emergency basis. Talk to them about when it might be appropriate for you to call them. In some situations you may be able to find another parent who is willing to help you out in exchange for some weekend or evening hours.

YWCA Sitter's List

The YWCA Sitter's List provides parents with a list of ISU students who are able to provide childcare along with availability, age and important information such as languages spoken and age-range preferences. The list is updated each academic semester. For more information, visit the YWCA at http://www.ywca.org/site/pp.asp?c=cdJKISMBE&b=84175

To receive the YWCA's Sitters List:

1. Download the waiver form which informs you that it is your responsibility to check the sitter's references
2. Return the waiver and the appropriate fee to the YWCA Ames-ISU at 210 Lab of Mechanics, ISU, Ames IA 50011

If you cannot pick up the list from their office, please add $1.00 and they will mail the list to you. Unfortunately, the YWCA cannot fax or email the sitter's list

Back-up Child Care Services at ISU

The following provides information about child care services available on the ISU campus.  Each program sets its own policies, handles its own enrollment, and maintains its own waiting list. 

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Back-up child care services for well children are available on a limited basis within the campus child care centers. Children between 6 months and 12 years old may use the service. Reservations for care can be made by calling the centers directly Monday through Friday from 7:00am to 5:30. All arrangements are made on a limited, first-come, first-served basis. The tuition rate for back-up child care is determined by the individual center. If you are a student parent and need financial assistance with back-up child care fees, please call Julie Graden at 294-8827.

Campus Child Care Centers

• University Community Childcare located at 100 University Village. Please call 515-294-9838 for more information.
• University Child Care Center at Veterinary Medicine, 1700 Christensen Drive. Please call 515-294-2273 for more information.

Hours
Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 5:30 pm.
It is not recommended that a child spend more than 9 hours per day at the center.

Pre-registration
Registration includes providing some written information about your child, signing consent and authorization forms. Pre-registration is helpful but not necessary; we welcome student and employee families at any time. Parents may be asked to update their child's registration once a year.

Need help understanding what programs you have access to?

If you need help determining what programs you have access to contact the ISU Child Care Administration at 515-294-8827. The ISU Child Care Coordinator can assist you in understanding your back-up child care options and can help you pre-register with the program of your choice.
To obtain information on availability and tuition for back-up/emergency child care please contact the centers directly.