Finding safe, consistent childcare after normal working hours can be a major obstacle for parents working 9-to-5. Sometimes they can call on a reliable babysitter. A few lucky parents have family nearby who can offer a helping hand. But for many faculty, staff, and graduate students, juggling the safety and security of their children with the responsibilities of after-hours academics or work can be difficult.

To help the Penn community, the University is piloting an Evening Child Care Program that will provide two evenings of childcare services at the Penn Children’s Center, 3160 Chestnut St., Suite 100, during the Fall 2012 and Spring 2013 semesters.

Beginning Monday, Oct. 1., care will be available from 6 to 8 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays.

The program is open to all Penn faculty, staff, and students with children between the ages of 3 months and 5 years. Parents are asked to pre-register and to provide advance notice of their need for the service. The cost will be $25 an hour for children older than 18 months, and $30 an hour for children between the ages of 3 and 18 months. However, a reduced fee, subsidized by the Office of the Provost, will be available for members of the Penn community with annual salaries below $60,000.

Parents whose children are already enrolled in the Children’s Center will be able to access evening childcare, as needed, at the same fee schedule.

Moms, dads, and guardians can check out the service at one of two open houses, scheduled from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 12, and Thursday, Sept. 13, at the Center.

The program has been made possible through a cooperative effort of the Office of the Provost and the Division of Human Resources, in partnership with the Business Services Division, which oversees the Penn Children’s Center. 

“We are very proud of Penn’s long-standing commitment to work-life balance,” says Lynn Lees, vice provost for faculty. “Members of our community should not have to choose between pursuing their careers and caring for their families.”

For more information and registration forms, visit the Penn Children’s Center website.