I am excited to announce two important changes in our Early Education Services program that will provide greater support and flexibility for our student parents.
Starting in fall 2022, Early Education Services (EES) is planning to reopen its infant care program and expand its operating hours. Successfully increasing the level of service requires us to hire additional teachers and teaching assistants. EES is already working with Staff Human Resources to start the recruitments. When additional staffing is in place, planned operating hours for EES for fall 2022 will be expanded to 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; current operating hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The success of our students continues to be one of our highest priorities. Student parents and faculty supporters have advocated for this support. We understand the challenge student parents face in balancing their educational pursuits while caring for, or seeking care for, very young children. This expansion of staff, service and hours will provide additional resources to support their family and academic needs.
This fall, we anticipate being able to provide care for up to six infants between the ages of 11 and 24 months. As staff and space permits in our toddler program and as infants are ready, they will begin transitioning as early as 18 months.
The need for back-up care — both child care and elder care — is critical for our employees and students, and we have been working to provide more support and resources over the past year.
Through a partnership with Bright Horizons, we are now able to provide subsidized back-up care for employees and students as well as access to virtual tutoring and camps. Additionally, the Student Affairs and Success website includes a page that provides a list of links to programs and resources that may be helpful for student parents.
More information about our Early Education Services is available online.
