mrobinson
Registered user
Global user
Registered: 11-2006
Posts: 2
Karma: 0 (+0/-0)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
Lack of Affordable Childcare
I'm a graduate student in BGS Pharamacology and had a baby two weeks ago (10/27/06).
The lack of affordable and available childcare near the University is a huge issue. Both childcare centers on/near campus (Parent Infant Center and Penn Childcare Facility) have 2+ year waiting lists - I've been on the Penn waiting list since June 2005 and I am currently number 36. They won't have a spot for me until Fall 2007 at which point, even though I went on the waiting list before I became pregnant in Feb 2006, my child will be ~ 1 year old. The only reason I even considered paying $300 per week (most of my stipend) was because I am breast feeding and that way I could go to him for feedings. But I won't be breast feeding anymore by the time they have a spot and need to find something else in the meantime or take the time off. I really wanted to return to school when he was 3 months with him close by so I could keep my thesis project rolling, but the lack of childcare on campus is making me think otherwise. I did find childcare near our house ($170 per week) so that is another option I am considering, but I would obviously rather have him close especially since my husband and I commute ~ 1 hour to school/work from our house...
Would the graduate student center be able to provide/help find a location where graduate students could run a co-op? I'm sure there are legal issues with this, but currently we have no alternative on campus.
Has anyone else had a similar problem and found a better solution?
|
|
11/12/2006, 12:18 pm
|
Send Email to mrobinson
Send PM to mrobinson
|
mezza
Registered user
Global user
Registered: 08-2004
Posts: 9
Karma: 0 (+0/-0)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
Re: Lack of Affordable Childcare
I had hoped that with the plans for expansion, that the University would realize how huge the childcare need in the city is right now. But in the 30-year plan there's no word of family housing or more childcare.
Without a mandate from the university, I doubt the Grad Center can coordinate it's own childcare program. What about trying to set something up through the message board here?
I'd imagine that there are a lot of international students with spouses who can't work in the US but who have experience raising or caring for children. Maybe if there was a way to reach out to those students, it would be possible to find cheaper care around campus.
just a thought. ..
|
|
11/12/2006, 12:54 pm
|
Send Email to mezza
Send PM to mezza
|
GSC
Head Administrator
Global user
Registered: 08-2004
Posts: 29
Karma: 0 (+0/-0)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
Re: Lack of Affordable Childcare
I've just updated the SWD page with information about affordable childcare in Philadelphia. As you note, there is a shortage of available childcare in general and a need for more affordable options for graduate students. Hopefully this new information will be helpful to students searching for alternatives to Penn's childcare services. I've pasted the new information below:
There are also many daycare services throughout the greater-Philadelphia metropolitan area. Here is a list of childcare resources in West Philadelphia: http://westphillydata.library.upenn.edu/cityresources/infoR%20Neighborhood%20Resources%20ChildCare.htm.
Limited ratings for area childcare providers are available through Pennsylvania's "Keys to Quality/Keystone STARS" program. This program does not offer an exhaustive list of providers, but you may find it helpful. Please check their website at: http://www.pakeys.org/stars/Families.aspx
Low-Income families may qualify for Pennsylvania's "Child Care Works" Subsidized Child Care Program. For more information and eligibility requirements, check their website: http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/Child/ChildCare/003670906.htm. For more information about these programs and additional resources for Pennsylvania parents, check out the Child Care Information Services of Philadelphia website: http://www.philadelphiachildcare.org/index.shtml.
|
|
11/15/2006, 12:06 pm
|
Send PM to GSC
|
tatjana
Registered user
Global user
Registered: 08-2007
Posts: 3
Karma: 0 (+0/-0)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
Re: Lack of Affordable Childcare
Dear Administrator, all.
I'm not sure if the new info will help. I live in West Philly, and all the child care options close to campus or around where I live have the same problems: they are outrageously expensive, and the waiting time is usually at least around 1 year.
BTW: government programs are a no-no for international students such as ourselves, because apparently getting any support from the government puts our (non-immigrant) visa status in immediate jeopardy. Something to keep in mind...
We didn't even apply for any child care places because a year from now we will have left town - why waste the application fee? Everybody I know who has had children in the last year is getting care for them privately through baby-sitters and nannies. It's very ad-hoc, very complicated.
One couple I know shares a baby-sitter at their house with another baby, which makes it cheaper.
I think for graduate students with small children to be able to actually do their school and dissertation work, we need at least space on campus where baby-sitting can take place (organized through a coop or whatever system). Hey - for all I know some work-study undergrads would love to care for infants and toddlers for their tuition...
My plan for now is to work at home if possible or take my baby to school (let's hope she's an "easy" baby) - and get baby-sitters for at least a couple of days per week. We'll see what we can afford. I'd be interested in sharing a baby-sitter with someone if there are other West-Philly parents around in 2008.
Cheers,
Tatjana.
|
|
8/17/2007, 3:31 pm
|
Send Email to tatjana
Send PM to tatjana
|