Babies and children take a lot of time, energy, and resources. Understanding your needs may change, some initial questions include:
- Will you want to or be able to take off time to be with the baby?
- How much time will you be able to be with your child?
- What will the impact be on your academic program?
- Can a health leave of absence from your academic program assist you in the transition?
- What childcare options exist to help you juggle both academic expectations and care responsibilities?
If you are exploring the idea of taking a health leave of absence following the birth of your child, you should consult with Cornell Health.
If you are looking for childcare assistance, email Cornell’s Work/Life Consultant, Diane Bradac (worklife@cornell.edu), or phone, 607-255-0388, to set up a meeting. Diane is available to talk with you on topics related to dependent care, such as locating providers, nannies, and babysitters, parenting children with special needs, lactation accommodations, and more. In this meeting, you will discover your childcare options so that you are fully informed of what the landscape will look like as you create this new world for your child and you. Local daycare centers often have waiting lists, so it is important to meet with Diane early.
The Cornell University Child Care Center, managed by Bright Horizons Family Solutions, provides care to children ages 6 weeks to 5 years of Cornell students, staff, and faculty. Part and full-time options are available. You may want to consider this as a viable option for you and your family.
Care@Work (Care.com) as a resource
Finding care for your family, pets, and home can be a challenge! To help you locate caregivers, Cornell now provides free membership access to Care.com through their employer platform, Care@Work!
With 11.4 million caregivers in its directory, Care.com helps you find, schedule, and manage care via the Care.com app and website. Read reviews by previous hirers, search based on availability, and much more!
Eligibility: Care@Work is available to benefits-eligible employees, retirees, postdoc associates, and graduate and professional students.
Looking for a caregiver? Start your membership today! Or, convert your existing Care.com membership to a Cornell-sponsored account.
- First, visit the HR website for details about the service.
- Then head to Cornell’s Care enrollment page to create an account with your Cornell ID number.
- Post a position and/or search the directory for caregivers.