Massachusetts General Hospital
55 Fruit Street, Warren Lobby, Suite 130
Boston, MA 02114
Tel: 617-724-7100
Patty Pirone, Director     Email: ppirone@partners.org

The MGH Backup Childcare Center provides emergency child care services to MGH employees, patients and Partners employees.

Check out our Vacation Club for holiday and summer vacation fun for children ages 6 to 12 years old.

Purpose	Facility
Hours/Fees	Reservations

Purpose

In recognition of the complex needs of families today, particularly working families and families experiencing a breakdown in childcare, the MGH Backup Childcare Center was established to provide emergency child care to MGH employees, patients and Partners employees. Our mission is to provide a safe, nurturing, enjoyable learning environment for the children in our care.

Our curriculum has been designed to enhance the social, emotional, intellectual and physical growth of each child. Developmentally appropriate curriculum is planned daily as well as free choice exploration of our materials. Self-expression is encouraged through music, art and dramatic play experiences.

The Center uses guidelines established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children to determine developmental appropriateness for all levels of care provided.

Backup care is intended to supplement rather than replace regular child care. The times when your family may be in need of backup child care include the following:

• When your child's caregiver is ill or on vacation
• When your child's child care center or school is closed
• When you have to work extra hours
• When there is a sudden termination in your child care arrangements
• While you are searching for permanent child care arrangements

The Backup Center cannot care for children who are ill.

The MGH Backup Child Care Center is managed by Partners Child Care Services, a department of Partners Human Resources. The Director of the center reports to the Director of Child Care Services.

The Director is responsible for daily administration of the center, including supervision of the staff and program. The Director and Ed Coordinator oversee the Teachers to ensure consistency in programming.

The center is licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (DEEC).

Facility
Warren Lobby
Phone:   617.724.7100
Fax:       617.724.7171

Located in the Warren Lobby on the main campus,the MGH Backup Childcare Center is designed to meet the needs of toddler, preschool and school age children. The secure, interior play space can be divided into separate areas for each age group. Some of its special features include an indoor climbing wall and sand pit, computers equipped with software for all ages and an outdoor play yard. In addition, the Center contains an older children's area equipped with board games, child-centered craft kits and a variety of teacher-directed projects.

Our classrooms are staffed by Department of Early Education and Care certified teachers who are equipped with the knowledge and expertise to help families, and especially children, during their time at the Backup Center.

Hours/Fees

• Fees
  The tuition rate for the Backup Center is $6 per hour. A two hour minimum fee is required.
• Hours
  Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 5:45pm.
  It is not recommended that a child spend more than 9 hours per day at the center.
  
  Limits on Use: Each child may use the MGH Backup Childcare Center for up to five consecutive days and/or 20 days per fiscal year. Utilization will be monitored and reported to participating services on a quarterly basis. If, due to unusual circumstances, there is a need for more days of care, a request may be made to the center Director who will confirm any exceptions with the service liaison.

Reservations

Children between 15 months and 12 years old may be enrolled.
Reservations for care may be made by calling the center Monday through Friday from 7:00am to 5:45pm, or by leaving a voice message after hours. Reservations may be made up to one month prior to the date care is needed.

When making reservations you will be asked for:

• Name of the service the employee works for
• Child's name
• Child's age
• Date care is needed
• Hours of care needed (minimum 2 hours)
• Time care is needed (e.g. 9 am to 5 pm)
  

  Pre-registration
  Registration includes providing some written information about your child, signing consent and authorization forms. Pre-registration is helpful but not necessary; we welcome patient and employee families at any time. Parents will be asked to update their child's registration once a year.

• For more information, please call the center at 617-724-7100.
  

Vacation Club
Vacation Club is held at the MGH Backup Childcare Center seven weeks per year; during public school vacations and four weeks of the summer.

This a fun filled time for school-aged children which includes planned activities and field trips to places such as Fenway park, a Duck Tour or even a visit by Bugman.

Children ages 6 through age 12 may attend.

Vacation Club may be utilized by Partners and MGH employees only. All user e-mails will be sent out 7 weeks in advance alerting Partners and MGH employees as to registration, fees and the activities planned for each club.

Please note: All Vacation Club programming requires pre-payment and fees are non-refundable. Scheduled activities are subject to change.

Please also note: Use of Vacation Club programming is outside of the 20 days per fiscal year limit on use.

Top of Page