Child Care Programs

To help you better manage your work life balance, please see the child care options available to you below. 

KinderCare - Child Care Support

Case Western Reserve University has partnered with KinderCare so that you can enjoy 10 percent tuition savings with the largest network of early childhood education programs in the United States. All your choices include a proven curriculum, hands-on learning, trained teachers and convenient locations. Learn more about what KinderCare can offer you!

There are more than 2,000 full-time and before- and after-school childcare locations across the country. The tuition savings are available at participating KCLC locations including the Cleveland Children’s Academy, KinderCare® Learning Centers and Champions® Before- and After-School Programs.

Receive 10 percent tuition savings towards standard, weekly tuition rates for Case Western Reserve employees. The tuition savings are available for children of all ages and can be applied at KinderCare and Champions.  

Tuition rates and operating hours vary by center. Contact the center directly for specific program information, participation status, space availability and tours.

When contacting a childcare center, mention that you are a Case Western Reserve employee and request the Case Western Reserve Tuition Savings.

To find a location near your home or office, please visit KinderCare's website. For a quick reference see frequently ask questions about the program.

KinderCare has expanded their School Age Programs to help working parents and their children.

Every family is doing their best to make school and care decision that work for their family. KinderCare offers programs that provide the school support needed for distance learning schedules and additional enrichment activities:

  • Navigating daily school schedules & assigned distance learning
  • Creating small, consistent group sizes with dedicated staff,
  • Providing safe, nurturing environments for your child to benefit fro daily peer interactions
  • Designing Fun and engaging supplemental curriculum during after-school hours
  • Preparing professionally made meals, daily!

The Music Settlement Early Childhood Programs

The Music Settlement offers traditional pre-school and kindergarten programs that provide diverse, multi-cultural experiences through discussion, science, drama, music, stories, and sensory experiences. Courses foster brain and social development, build confidence, inspire, encourage creative expression, and promote play. The Settlement is a:

  • 5-Star Award from Ohio's Step Up to Quality rating program.
  • Licensed provider for Ohio Department of Job & Family Services (ODJFS).
  • Partner of Cleveland's PRE4CLE initiative

The university will continue to provide a $1,000 subsidy for each child of Case Western Reserve faculty, staff or students who is enrolled in The Music Settlement’s full-day or half-day preschool programs or kindergarten for the 2022-23 school year. The subsidy can be used at the University Circle and Ohio City locations. 

The university also will continue to cover the $75 registration fee for these early childhood programs. 

Please note the following requirements:

  • 2-Day Morning Preschool—Children must turn 3 years old by Dec. 31, 2022.
  • 3-Year-Old Full Day Preschool or 3-Day Morning Preschool—Children must turn 3 years old by Sept. 30, 2022.
  • 4-Year-Old Full-Day Preschool or 4/5-Day Morning Preschool—Children must turn 4 years old by Sept. 30, 2022 
  • Kindergarten—Children must turn 5 years old by Sept. 30, 2022.
  • All children must be toilet-trained at the start of the school year. 

Learn more about The Music Settlement preschool and kindergarten programs, including tuition, enrollment and financial aid information or browse this list of FAQs. Families also may complete an application online. Virtual tours are available.

Mandel JCC of Cleveland

Offers many child care options including School Days at the J - a daytime program for distance learners in grades K - 8, J-Day Camps, kids clubs, and summer camp. Call them at 216.831.0700 or visit their website for additional information.

YMCA

The YMCA, one of the nation’s largest and most trusted providers of child care services, is offering COVID-19 emergency child care services for families of medical personnel, essential employees and first responders. For more information on available programs visit the YMCA website.

Cleveland Montessori School

Located in Cleveland's Little Italy, Cleveland Montessori school is based on the “Help me … to do it myself.” philosophy of Italian educator and physician, Dr. Maria Montessori. Visit their website for more information.

Child Care Support During Travel

Child care can become particularly challenging when a parent must take a trip for work or study—for example, a conference, a research opportunity, or out-of-town meeting. Inspired by a successful model operated through the ACES program, the President's committee recommended launching a campus-wide initiative. As a result, the university has established a fund to supplement a portion of the additional costs of care.

These resources can support care for a child who travels to the event or for the child at home while the adult travels.

Eligibility requirements

  • Faculty with the rank of Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, Senior Instructor, Instructor and Lecturer (faculty members who hold adjunct appointments, clinical appointments and visiting appointments are not eligible) and have an appointment or reappointment letter specifying a salary paid through the university that is 50% or more of a full-time equivalent salary.
  • Staff who are regular employees and work at least a half-time or greater schedule.
  • Graduate and Undergraduate students taking classes during the semester in which child care support for travel is sought.

General conditions

  • Reimbursement is available only for dependent care expenses incurred when traveling to attend professional meetings, conferences, workshops and professional development opportunities.
  • Only expenses incurred for an “eligible dependent” are reimbursable. An eligible dependent follows Internal Revenue Service definitions. In general, an eligible dependent must be under age 13.
  • Child care expenses incurred during domestic travel may be reimbursed up to $100 per day and expenses incurred during international travel may be reimbursed up to $150 per day. A person is limited to reimbursements totaling $1,000 per fiscal year.
  • An application form may be submitted when the need for child care during professional travel is known.
  • The reason for travel must be substantiated and authorized by:
    • Department Chair for faculty members
    • Supervisor for staff employees
    • Faculty Advisor for students
  • An application form must be submitted for each trip that results in incremental childcare costs.
  • Per day cost of child care should be listed or documentation of expense for child to travel with parent must be provided.
  • Reimbursement will occur after the application form and appropriate expense and travel documentation are reviewed and approved by Benefits Administration.

Who is eligible to receive this benefit?

All students and benefits-eligible faculty and staff may participate in this program.

How do I apply for the benefit?

An application form should be submitted when the need for child care during professional travel is known. The professional/business purpose of the travel must be substantiated, including appropriate authorization from a Department Chair for faculty members, Supervisor for staff employees or Faculty Advisor for students.

Please include in the application the anticipated schedule of care.

Print the application form

What is the amount of benefit I can receive?

The actual cost of child care will be reimbursed up to $100 per day during domestic travel and up to $150 per day during international travel. The maximum cumulative benefit is $1,000 per person. Please note that the reimbursement is a taxable benefit.

When will I receive my reimbursement for child care expenses?

The reimbursement payment will be made after the professional travel is completed. Appropriate documentation of the child care expenses and of the travel must be submitted in order to receive reimbursement.

Care.com

Care.com offers of an array of services that enable families to find, manage, and pay for care while providing employment opportunities for caregivers. Visit the Care.com website for more details.

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services

Parents looking for childcare providers that have been approved for Pandemic Child Care can conduct a map-based search of approved programs. The ODJFS helps you locate the type of early care and education program that meets your needs. To learn more about programs' licensing status, Step Up To Quality rating, and inspection results check out the Ohio Department of Education website.

IMPACT Solutions

IMPACT Solutions offers a service that can ease the frustration of finding temporary and back-up care. It provides personalized assistance locating child care services as well as online access to a comprehensive database of qualified child care providers.

To use the Child Care Service, simply call 1.800.227.6007.

To conduct your own search for childcare, visit us on the web at MyImpactSolution.com.

  1. Click on the orange "Go to member login" box.
  2. In the MEMBER LOGIN box, enter the username. If you don't remember the username (Member Login as listed on CWRU IMPACT Solutions brochure), please call 1.800.227.6007, and they will provide it.
  3. Click the "SIGN IN" box.
  4. Scroll down and click on the "Locators" box.
  5. Select from the list of resources.