1. Home ›
  2. Childcare

Childcare

A father and daughter walking hand-in-hand outside of a school.

Finding the right childcare to meet your needs and preferences is important. If you’re expecting a child or planning to adopt, it’s recommended to start researching care early. Waitlists for center-based care can be long. Finding in-home providers takes time as well. It’s also important to consider what will happen if your regular childcare provider is unavailable (ex: center/school closures, nanny vacation, etc.). For school-aged children, summer can bring a different set of considerations while the regularity of the school schedule is temporarily set aside. Many families seek out camps in addition to or in place of traditional care options. Notre Dame provides benefits and resources to assist when such needs arise.

If you are aware of a local resource, summer camp, etc. that you think may be of interest to other families, please don’t hesitate to share additional resources with us via this Google form!

Childcare Options

Back Up Care

Notre Dame provides a back-up care benefit to assist faculty, staff, and graduate students in managing personal commitments through Bright Horizons. This program includes back-up care for unexpected, short-term child care needs and virtual tutoring along with an online provider directory for on-going family care solutions.

  • Bright Horizons - Provides short-term, last-minute child and elder care services, virtual camps, and virtual tutoring for low, University-subsidized co-payments.
  • Sittercity - Activate your free membership to connect with care providers.
  • JOBoard - Post care needs for which ND students can apply! Search for the Student JOBoard Submission Form on InsideND.
  • Free Time Kids Playcare - Free Time Kids Playcare offers a safe and fun environment for your child - drop-ins welcome, memberships available but not required, no enrollment fees.  This center also offers a flexible preschool program, afternoon enrichment classes, seasonal camps, and Saturday date night events.  Located on University Drive in Mishawaka (near Aladdin's).  Open 8AM-6PM Tuesday - Friday.
    • ND employees can get 50% off memberships - just mention you work at ND and show your ND ID!  Both members and non-members can also get 10% off drop-in rates by showing their ND ID.
  • YMCA of Greater Michiana - In addition to daycare, preschool, and a monthly "Kids Night Out," the YMCA also offers "Must Do Mornings."  Parents can utilize the Childwatch area for their kids and have the opportunity to leave the building to complete any must-do tasks from 9AM-12PM.  Advance registration (at least 24 hours) is needed.
  • The Kroc Center - The Kroc Center's Afterschool STEAM University (ASU) offers a safe, fun, and enriching environment for children ages 5 through 11 to go to after school.  Additionally, on scheduled days off with the South Bend Community School Corporation, feel free to sign your kids up for the Kroc Center's School's out Day Camp!  This service is also available on snow days/eLearning days.  

Financial

  • Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account - Set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible out-of-pocket dependent care expenses.
  • On My Way Pre-K - This Indiana state program awards vouchers to 4 year olds from low-income families so that they may have access to a high-quality pre-K program the year before they begin kindergarten.
  • Child Care and Development Fund - The Child Care and Development Fund is a federal program that helps low-income families obtain child care so that they may work, attend training or continue their education. The purpose of CCDF is to increase the availability, affordability and quality of child care.
  • Child Care Aware - This national program provides child care assistance for military families through fee assistance and respite child care programs.