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Backup and Drop-In Care

Backup care, also known as drop-in care, is short-term care you access when your regular childcare arrangements fall through. You can use backup care when, for example:

Backup care is not intended as a replacement for routine childcare arrangements.

Care@Work Backup Care

Northwestern offers a subsidized childcare backup care program through Care@Work, separate from the Care.com digital marketplace. This program allows faculty, staff, graduate students and postdocs to:

Call 855-781-1303 or login to the Care@Work portal through MyHR Benefits to access vetted, experienced Care.com employees and area centers for backup childcare.

We recommend registering for your Care@Work account before the need arises and requesting care as early as possible.

For more information about the Care@Work Backup Care Program, contact wellbeing@northwestern.edu.

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