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Where can I find day care at Penn?

Illustration by Bo Brown

 
 

Dear Benny,
I’m looking for a day care center for my daughter. Does Penn have any child-care programsóand if so what kind of discount is there for Penn employees?

—Need A Sitter

Dear Working Parent,
First, the good news: Yes, the Penn Childrens Centerthe Universitys day care centerdoes offer discounts for faculty, staff and students.

Now, the bad: The center is so popular, there are currently lengthy waiting lists to get in.

Sam Frenkel, administrative coordinator for the center, said the wait to get into the centers infant program ranges from 12 to 14 months, while the wait for other programs, available to children up to kindergarten age, is about 9 months. “Were basically full,” Frenkel said.

Given the centers amenities and high quality, thats no surprise. The center is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and boasts some top-notch facilities: five classroomsall equipped with computersand both an indoor and outdoor gym.

All of the centers teachers hold degrees in Early Childhood Education or a related field, and all center staffers receive training in first aid, CPR, health and safety, child development and other areas of continuing education.

The center also offers emergency drop-in care, when available, for University faculty, staff and studentsand even University guests, including lecturers, seminar attendees and others.

For those willing to wait it out, tours of the center can be arranged by calling 215-898-5268. For more information, you can also check out the centers web site at www.upenn.edu/childcare.

Got a question for Benny? You can ask Benny about benefits, worklife issues, University history or trivia, or other matters pertaining to life at Penn. Send it via e-mail to current@pobox.upenn.edu or via regular mail to the Current, 200 Sansom Place East, 3600 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6106. A Current coffee mug goes to those whose questions we publish

 

 

Originally published on October 21, 2004