The Women in Science and Medicine Advisory Committee (WISMAC) of UT Southwestern Medical Center continually addresses concerns of members of the UT Southwestern community to find high quality and convenient care facilities for children and seniors.  Below you will find information about the UT Southwestern - UTD Callier Child Development Program as well as links to searchable directories for other day care facilities for children and adults. 

CHILD CARE AND EDUCATION ON CAMPUS

UT Southwestern - UTD Callier Child Development Program is our on-campus child development program which accepts children between the ages of 6 weeks to 6 years.  Children of UT Southwestern faculty, postdocs, clinical residents, students and staff have first priority for enrollment.  To register your child you must sign up to be placed on the waiting list.  Typically decisions are made in April as to who will be accepted for the upcoming August start date.  Applications are available by calling Callier at (214) 905-3094, visiting their education office, or logging on to their website at http://www.utdallas.edu/calliercenter/child-development/child/.  Completed applications should be sent to the Callier Education Office at 1966 Inwood Road, Dallas, TX 75235 or faxed to (214) 905-3022.

First Step Learning Centre  - info below is from an email notice dated 9/25/2009

To the UT Southwestern Campus Community,

Given the importance of on-campus child care options to many at UT Southwestern, the medical center has formed a new partnership with First Step Learning Centre to increase the number of child care slots. First Step, which will be located in a newly renovated space in the Paul M. Bass Administrative and Clinical Center starting later this fall, has designated 150 spaces for UT Southwestern faculty, postdoctoral fellows, residents, students and staff.

The child care center provides services for infants through children 5 years of age. First Steps expansion, paired with child care slots already provided by UT Southwestern-UTD Callier Child Development Program, now results in 325 slots on campus.

The partnership with First Step grew from many discussions with concerned faculty and staff. An initial committee began investigating solutions, led by Dr. Charles Ginsburg, Interim Dean of UT Southwestern Medical School; John Roan, Executive Vice President for Business Affairs; and Michael Serber, Assistant Vice President for Financial Planning.

Dr. Ginsburg created and chaired a special child care task force to fully research an alternative to Callier and make expansion recommendations to the administration. A special thanks goes to this task force, which included Dr. Patricia Bergen, Professor of GI/Endocrine Surgery; Dr. Michael Brown, Director of the Erik Jonsson Center for Research in Molecular Genetics and Human Disease; Dr. Melanie Cobb, Dean of UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; Dr. Carole Mendelson, Professor of Biochemistry; Dr. Shelley Roaten, Professor of Family and Community Medicine; Dr. Kim Orth, Associate Professor of Molecular Biology; and Dr. Myra Wyckoff, Associate Professor of Pediatrics.

First Step Learning Centres renovations will expand the child cares space from 6,800 square feet to more than 14,250 square feet. The facility has been operating since 1998. Owner Wendy Mireault is excited about the growth and opportunity to serve more members of the UT Southwestern community.

First Step will offer an educational curriculum, breastfeeding room, arts and computer rooms, an updated playground and cafeteria. A free shuttle, the Bass Center Express, runs between the Bass Center and South Campus throughout the day. There also is a specific loading zone for parents dropping off or visiting their children. Infant and early childhood classes are likely to fill quickly. Families interested in enrollment can call 214-352-8608 or visit the child cares site at www.firststeplearningcentre.com.

OTHER CHILD AND SENIOR CARE OPTIONS

Note:  Women in Science and Medicine Advisory Committee, WISMAC, provides this list for informational purposes only.  We are not associated with any of the organizations listed below.

Child Care
Search by zip code to find child care facilities near you at www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Care/Search_Texas_Child_Care/ or www.naeyc.org (NAEYC accredited)

Nanny referral agencies serving the Dallas area include www.momsbestfriend.com, www.globenanny.com, www.domesticallyyours.com, BabySitters of Dallas (214-692-1354).

Home care providers are typically mothers who will watch up to six children at their own house instead of an institutional setting.  There is an on-line listing of registered home childcare providers  in the Garland , Richardson , Murphy, Rowlett, Rockwall, Sachse, Wylie, Mesquite , Plano and Dallas areas. This is a great resource for parents who are looking for in-home child care. Contacts: phone: 972-496-4600; email: texaschildcaretx@yahoo.com Posted 02/23/06

Senior Care
The Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) provides a searchable database for the identification and comparison of Residential Care, Home Health Care, and Adult Day Care facilities for seniors in the state of Texas.  http://www.dads.state.tx.us/services/index.cfm  [updated July 2009]