Skip to main content

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.

Area Drop-In Care

In addition to the Care@Work Backup Care Program, Northwestern faculty, staff, students and postdocs may also access center-based backup/drop-in care at the following University partnership centers (the center’s standard rate will apply):

Bright Horizons@Evanston (1629 Orrington Avenue, Evanston)

How to Use Backup/Drop-In Care at Bright Horizons@Evanston:

University Children's Center (446 Ontario, Chicago and & affiliated KinderCare Centers)

How to use Backup/Drop-In Care at University Children’s Center & affiliated KinderCare Centers:
  • Pre-register as soon as possible by contacting Care.com or by calling 1-855-781-1303 (Opt. 2, Opt. 1). You may then request the dates you need.
  • The Backup Care Group will then connect with the center director and determine if they can accommodate the space.
  • If they are able to accommodate, a confirmation will come to the center as well as the family.

Sick childcare

If your child is ill and cannot attend their regular childcare provider, contact Kanella Maniatis at Illinois Action for Children for referral to special, in-home sick child care providers.