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Childcare

Support for your family, when and where you need it.

Access childcare programs that provide ongoing support, financial assistance, and backup care options.

Child Educational Center (CEC)
Located on the northern edge of Caltech in a residential neighborhood, the Child Educational Center offers full- and part-time programs for toddlers, preschool, and school-age children. They also offer similar programs including one for infants in the La Canada area. You can access discounted rate through Caltech.

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Childcare Assistance Program (CCAP)

The Childcare Assistance Program (CCAP) provides financial assistance to eligible employees with dependent children ages 10 and younger.

You may receive up to $5,000 per year, based on eligibility and household income.

When You Can Enroll

You can elect CCAP within 31 days of becoming benefits eligible, during Open Enrollment, or within 31 days of a Qualifying Life Event.

What You Need to Do

  1. Review the Program Guidelines.
  2. Complete the Gross Annual Income Calculation Worksheet.
  3. Gather required documentation.
  4. Submit your online application.

Required Documentation
You will need to provide:

  • Spouse/domestic partner’s two most recent paystubs.
  • 2025 Federal income tax return (pages showing dependents, gross income, and signatures).
  • Documentation if your spouse/domestic partner is not employed (such as job search verification, student status, disability status, or immigration status explanation).
  • Child relationship documentation (birth certificate, guardianship, or adoption paperwork), unless:
    • Your child is enrolled in a Caltech medical, dental, or vision plan, or
    • Your child was approved for CCAP within the past two years.
  • Completed Gross Annual Income Calculation Worksheet.

Program Documents

2026 CCAP Program Guidelines
Gross Annual Income Calculation Worksheet

Located on campus at 1200 E. California Blvd., the Children’s Center offers infant, toddler, and preschool programs with two-, three-, or five-day schedules. The curriculum integrates STEM learning into everyday play.

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This benefit helps when:

  • A babysitter or nanny is unavailable
  • School or daycare is closed
  • Your child is mildly ill
  • You need coverage while working late
  • You are working from home and need care support

Eligibility

Eligible participants include:

  • Non-visiting faculty
  • Benefits-eligible staff
  • Postdoctoral scholars
  • Graduate students

Eligible dependents include:

  • Children ages 2 months through 16 (or older with special needs)
  • Stepchildren, foster children, and children under legal guardianship

What the Program Covers

Caltech subsidizes* up to 10 days of backup childcare per plan year (January 1– December 31).

Employee cost:

  • In-home care: $6 per hour
  • In-center care: $10 per child per day

Note: The subsidy provided is considered taxable income*.

Additional Care.com Membership

You also receive a free Care.com membership, which provides access to:

  • Long-term caregivers (children and adults)
  • Pet care
  • Home care services

Get Started

Enroll or request backup care
How to request backup childcare video
How to request backup childcare video

 

Backup Childcare Provider: Care.com

Care.com is Caltech’s backup childcare provider. Set up an account to request backup care and find long-term caregivers.

Website: caltech.care.com

Chat: Available via the website

Download the mobile app: 

Phone: (855) 781-1303 (24/7)