Welcome

Whether you are new to Harvard or new to parenthood, you may have questions about child care.

As a general matter, there are three main options – center-based care, family day care, and in-home providers, as well as combinations of the above. These pages will give you detailed information about child-care centers on or near Harvard’s campuses, as well as provide you with resources for finding other types of child care.

Whatever you choose, you should know that affordable, high-quality child-care is in short supply in the greater Boston area. Affiliation with Harvard University does not guarantee admission to Harvard-affiliated child-care centers. You increase your odds for securing the type of child care you want if you start looking early. It's a good idea to visit and apply to child care centers as much as one year in advance. Family day care and in-home solutions may require less lead time but will require an intensive process of identifying and reviewing your options.

Child Care
General overview of child care options
Child care centers on Harvard's Cambridge and Allston campuses
Child care in the Longwood Medical Area
Finding group and family child care
Finding a nanny
Finding an occasional babysitter
Back-up and emergency child care for faculty and staff
Paying for child care
Lactation Rooms
Other child care resources
Connecting with Parents in the Harvard Community

Schools, Summer Camps and School Vacation Programs
Schools and after-school programs
Harvard University School's Out Program
Other school vacation programs
Summer camps