Students with children

Students with children
Childcare
The Early Childhood Education Program (ECEP) serves approximately 275 children, three-months to seven years, in eight centers on or near campus. Student parents are encouraged to work in the centers for two hours each week in a variety of roles. ECEP is open Monday through Friday from 7:45am-5:30pm. The Infant Program's scheduling pattern may vary from the regular system.

Registered students at Berkeley are eligible to apply. Fees are on a sliding scale, based on family income and need for childcare. For priority consideration, applications should be submitted by May 15 for fall semester, or November 1 for spring semester. However, applications are accepted year-round, and spaces are offered as they become available (housing.berkeley.edu/child; 2610 Channing Way; 510/642-1827).

The Family Resource Center (FRC) provides activities for children (six months to five years of age) of student parents who live in University Village. Activities for kids include singing, painting, and reading (East Village Building 123, Apartment 456, Albany; M-Th, 5pm-8pm, Sa, 10am-1pm; call to reserve a space, 510/528-4784).

Albany Children's Center serves the community and student families living in University Village Family Housing. Fees are on a sliding scale, and children three years through second grade are accepted (albany.k12.ca.us/children; 800 Red Oak Avenue, Albany; 510/559-6590).

Bananas Childcare Information and Referral Service is a parent-friendly community organization with lots of information on childcare, childcare referrals, and other parenting issues (bananasinc.org; 5232 Claremont Avenue, Oakland; 658-7353; referrals and questions: 510/658-0381).

Housing
University Village Family Housing: One, two, and three bedroom apartments and townhouses are available at University Village in Albany. New applicants are encouraged to apply online and opt for East Village Apartments or West Village (housing.berkeley.edu/livingatcal/studentsfamilies.html; M-F, 8am-5pm; Family Housing Assignments Office, 2610 Channing Way; apts@berkeley.edu; 510/642-4109).

Smyth-Fernwald Apartments: One, two, and a very limited number of three bedroom apartments are located in the Berkeley hills, at the end of Dwight Way. The waiting list is approximately 24 months because priority is given to current tenants affected by the University Village Redevelopment Project (housing.berkeley.edu/livingatcal/studentsfamilies.html; M-F, 8am-5pm; Family Housing Assignments Office, 2610 Channing Way; apts@berkeley.edu; 510/642-4109).

Recreation
The Cal Youth program offers a wide variety of recreational and sport activities for kids of all ages. Camps and year-round classes, developed and staffed by the UC Berkeley Department of Recreational Sports, are designed to provide kids with seasons full of adventure, friendship, confidence-building and fun (calbears.berkeley.edu [go to the Youth Programs link]; scrainfo@berkeley.edu; 510/643-CAMP).

Strawberry Canyon Recreation Area (SCRA) has a wading pool and combination play/lap swimming pool. The area is accessible by Campus Bus Services (calbears.berkeley.edu; lower Centennial Drive, behind Memorial Stadium; 510/643-6720).

Support
Berkeley Parents Network is an extensive, parent-run website that contains all kinds of information for families who live in the Bay Area. It's truly a unique and excellent resource! Students can join a listserv of over 8,000 members for weekly digests by subscribing online (parents.berkeley.edu).

Maternity Leave for Female Doctoral Students is a new childbirth-accommodation policy that takes effect in fall 2007. Female doctoral students, who hold fellowships or academic appointments as GSIs or researchers, are eligible for six weeks' paid maternity leave (www.grad.berkeley.edu/policies/memos_parent_policies. shtml).

Student Parent Programs and Services, as a part of the Transfer, Re-entry, and Student Parent Center, supports student parents making their first semester transition to Berkeley, as well as continuing students who are combining school and parenting. Services include information, resources, and individual problem-solving assistance in balancing academic expectations with parenting responsibilities. Parent's Place is a child-friendly space at TRSP for studying and networking with other parents, with books and toys on-hand to entertain children while on campus with their parents. Student parent interns are available to share their insights and strategies for successfully managing school and parenting (trsp.berkeley.edu; 100 Cesar Chavez Student Center; trsp@berkeley.edu; 510/642-5729).

Credit bearing courses include:
Education 98/198: Once Upon a University (2 units, P/NP) is a fall semester orientation class offering information and strategies for managing the competing demands of school and parenting.

Education 98/198: It Takes a Village (2 units, P/NP) is a spring semester class that enhances the ability of student parents to analyze barriers and build support systems for reaching their educational goals.

Social Welfare 97/197: Student Parent Projects (1-3 units, P/NP) provide service learning internship opportunities at the Center and/or in the community.

Fun things to do with your kids