Handbook | Child Care
3. Child Care
a. University Child Care
University Child Care (UCC) provides full-day and flexible-schedule child care services for toddler and preschool age children (15 months through five years of age). The Center is open Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with a variety of drop-off and pick-up options. University Child Care operates year round and follows the University holiday schedule.
University students and employees receive first priority to enroll their children in the program. Enrollment is offered on a space available basis, in the order of date of enrollment application. Child care tuition rates are based on a sliding fee scale determined by family size and household income. A variety of child care tuition subsidies are available through UCC, the University, and local and state agencies.
UCC meets Massachusetts Office for Children licensing criteria and is accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs, an agency which sets national standards for high-quality early childhood programs. UCC provides an educational program based on developmentally appropriate practices. Program goals include supporting children's emerging self concepts and assisting them in learning social skills. Teachers expand on children's interests and experiences, encouraging them to function independently and foster understanding and respect for the ideas and individuality of others.
For more information about the program, enrollment, tuition assistance and/or to receive an enrollment application contact University Child Care, 21 Clubhouse Drive, 545-1566.
b. Resource and Referral Services for Infant, Toddler, Preschool and School-age Care
The Town of Amherst Community Services Development Department maintains lists of licensed center-based and home-based providers in the Amherst area, and has information about tuition assistance and other parent resources. They are located at 70 Boltwood Walk, Amherst, tel. (413) 256-3074. Their childcare listings are available online here.
The school Superintendent's Office of the town in which you live will provide information about the after-school programming available in your community.
For a list of childcare providers in the state, you can visit the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care web page.
c. Graduate Student Senate Child Care Vouchers
The Graduate Student Senate (GSS) offers a limited number of child care tuition vouchers for graduate student parents each semester. The child care voucher program is funded in part by the GSS and in part by the university, as stipulated in the bargaining agreement between university and the Graduate Employee Organization.
The dollar amount of these vouchers is dependent upon the number of applicants each semester. GSS vouchers may be used to offset the cost of care in a licensed child care center or registered family child home. Information and an application for a GSS child care voucher is available from the Graduate Student Senate, 919 Campus Center, 545-2896, email: gss-info@grad.umass.edu or the Child Care Coordinator of the Graduate Employee Organization (GEO), 201 Student Union Building, 545-0705. If you would like to apply for funds from this program contact GSS immediately - the deadline is very early in the semester.
d. Student Family Programs
The Office of Family Resources offers a wide variety of programs for student families on and off campus. Serving students and those in the community with children and families, the Amherst Family Center is located in the Unitarian Church in downtown Amherst. They are open for drop in play groups for parents and children under 6 years old, and offer parent support and educational programs. All of these programs are free to student families. The Office of Family Resources is located in 428 Student Union Building, tel. 545-0865, or you can visit its web site. Online services also include a baby sitting bulletin board and a tutoring bulletin board.
