Backup Child Care & Adult Care Referral Program
All MIT benefits-eligible faculty, staff, and postdocs, as well as postdoctoral fellows, can receive care at home through Parents in a Pinch, Inc. Whether the need is child care, care for an aging parent, another family member who needs assistance, or even yourself, consider Parents in a Pinch. The screened and trained caretakers are available day or evening, 7 days a week.
Backup child care providers can assist when normal child care or school arrangements are disrupted by school closings, vacations, or provider illness, or when a child is mildly ill. Child care providers are available to come to your home, workplace, or another meeting place.
Backup adult care providers can offer companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, or prompts for medications. They can also provide personal care, such as assistance with bathing and dressing, and can accompany an adult to a doctor's appointment if needed. Adult care providers are available to come to your home or to the home of your family member.
MIT faculty, staff, and postdocs can request up to 15 child care and/or adult care referrals annually without being charged any registration or placement fees. You are responsible for paying the hourly cost of the child and adult caregivers, which is currently $16.00 per hour in Massachusetts (with a minimum of four hours per day). Your credit card will be charged for the hourly cost of care once the care is complete and the hours have been confirmed.
Care is available any time of day or night, any day of the week, once you have pre-registered.
Once you have registered and you would like to set up care, call Parents in a Pinch directly. For Adult Care or Child Care, call 617-739-5437 (1-800-688-4697) during regular business hours, Monday through Friday 8 am - 5 pm. For Child Care only, you may also arrange care during extended hours by calling the same number and requesting extension 114. Extended hours for child care callers are Sunday evenings 5 pm - 8 pm, Monday through Thursday 7 am - 8 am and 5 pm - 8 pm, and Friday 7 am - 8 am.
For additional information about the backup child care and adult care referral service, please see the Frequently Asked Questions for child care or adult care and Tips for Working with a Temporary Caregiver.
Group Child Care for MIT Meetings
Group child care (PDF) can also be arranged through Parents in a Pinch for MIT meetings on campus and at Lincoln Laboratory.
