Finding Child Care

The University offers a free resource and referral program to help working parents and students find child care solutions. Searching for quality child care can be an overwhelming and time-consuming process. Parents can conduct an efficient, well-informed search with information and advice provided by these resource and referral services. However, parents need to carefully evaluate each provider to determine what is best for their family's needs, as these services cannot make recommendations.

CHILDCARE RESOURCE AND REFERRAL SERVICE

Northwestern faculty, staff and students have access to enhanced child care resource and referral services provided by the Action for Children.

Call (312) 823-1275 to reach a designated Northwestern representative.

The Action for Children consultation services include:

• Parent consultations about the variety of state-licensed child care options available
• Child care provider referrals that are customized to the search criteria provided by the parent
• Up-to-date information on more than 4,500 child care centers, family childcare homes, nannies agencies, sick care, camps and before and after school programs in Cook County and the surrounding area
• Printed resource materials to help parents throughout their childcare search, including tips for interviewing and selecting a quality provider
• Information about financial assistance, including state subsidy programs and providers that offer sliding scale fee programs

NOTE: Action for Children does not provide recommendations among its listed licensed childcare programs. Families must screen providers thoroughly.

How to Access Your Benefit

• Contact Kanella Maniatis at (312) 823-1275. She is your consultant for child care resource and referral benefit services.

  • She will discuss child care options and quality indicators with you and initiate an intake process that will include questions about your children, schedule, location, etc., which will be used to customize the referral information and materials.
  • All information given to the consultant is considered confidential.
  • Within approximately two working days of the intake the child care consultant will provide you with referrals to programs with openings. These referrals will be in the form of a provider profile, which describes the child care provider in detail. You will also receive brochures, tip sheets and licensing information.
  • It is up to you to call, visit and choose a provider that best meet your needs using the consumer education and written resources provided, however you are under no obligation to choose a provider from the referrals offered. The consultant will be available to assist you with any questions or concerns during your search process.
  • After approximately 10 business days, the consultant will check-in with you to see if you need additional assistance or would like to explore more options.
  • You can use this service as many times as you need to find a child care that meets your families' needs.

  Referrals are available for the these types of child care:

  • Child care centers
  • Licensed and license-exempt family child care home providers
  • In-home child care (live in and come & go)
  • Before and after school programs
  • Summer day camps
  • Residential summer camps
  • Nursery schools and enrichment programs
  • Back-up child care
  • Sick child care

Links to Providers Lists

EVANSTON

• Early Childhood Programs
• Licensed Family Home Childcare Providers
• K-12 Schools

SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES

• Winnetka Alliance
• Wilmette Child Care
• Skokie Child Care
• Chicago-Area Child Care/Schools
• Child Care Aware