Life-Career Interface Initiative

Campus Child Care

While not all women in science and engineering need child care, acknowledging the importance of good child care and working to make it accessible are markers for a good climate for women.

In June, 2000, the University Child Care Committee completed a comprehensive white paper on the status of childcare at the UW-Madison []. The Committee and the Office of Campus Child Care are currently working on a number of specific initiatives, among them 1)continuing exploration of the relationship between employment conditions for child-care workers, University and/or union-based support for campus childcare, and parent tuition payments; 2) expanding care for low-income parents; and 3) expansion of infant, conference and extended hours care.

In 2005 WISELI completed an evaluation of Campus Child Care at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. We have made available both a draft copy of the full report, as well as a two-page summary of our findings [].

Child Care Resources

UW Office of Campus Child Care and Family Resources
Provides information about and links to child care services on campus. Also provides information about other support services and links to various resources, including:

• Lactation rooms on campus
• Parent Support listserve
• Child Care Support Network - for parents who wish to share childcare in their homes or cooperatively share childcare responsibilities

UW Campus Women's Center Family Resources
Provides a variety of resources iincluding babysitting services and a list of on-campus babysitters.

City of Madison Accredited Child Care Programs
List of accredited child care progams in the city of Madison, updated 9/07. Includes Infant/Toddler and Preschool Programs; Emergency/Respite Care; School Age Care; Summer Day Care and Day Camps for School Aged Children. Some links to individual center's websites are provided.

Community Coordinated Child Care (4C's)
Dane County's Coordinated Child Care resource and referral agency - coordinates referrals to state licensed and county certified "family child care providers." "Family child care providers" are self-employed, set their own rates, and provide care in their own homes. This site does not include a listing of providers.T hose seeking such information must call the agency and answer a series of questions about their needs before receiving a customized list of providers who meet their criteria.

Satellite Family Child Care, Inc - a non-profit agency which networks approximately 70 family day care homes, mostly located in Madison, WI. All Satellite providers must meet the standards of quality established by the City of Madison Day Care Unit, which is called Madison Accreditation. This is a higher standard of regulation than state licensing or county certification. Providers are not listed on the site, though this appears to be an area under development; see link to "Provider Information." Those seeking referrals can call or the agency or fill out an on-line form to receive a customized list of providers who meet their needs.

Chicken Soup Day Care - Hourly, Mildly Ill, and Backup Child Care
Chicken Soup provides hourly child care and care for mildly sick children on a first-come, first served basis. The staff recommends visiting the center and registering for care in advance of needing it. More information about the staff, services, fees is available on their website.

Other Resources:

Balancing Family and Work: UW-Madison Family-Related Leave Policies for Faculty, Academic Staff and Limited Appointees

American Association of University Professors: Statement of Principles on Family Responsibilities and Academic Work

National Child Care Information Center

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