Child and Other Dependent Care Solutions

Learn about UC San Diego's campus child and other dependent care solutions.

A tip from other student-parents

If you're thinking about attending UC San Diego, get on child-care center waitlists early! Use the resources listed above to find supplemental and back-up options in case a UC San Diego child-care option doesn't work for you.

UC San Diego Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC)

• Full-time care is available for children 3 months to 5 years old.
• Availability for specific ages varies based on classroom numbers. The waitlist for infants 3-12 months old is typically longer than for older ages.
• Financial support accepted at ECEC:
  • CalWORKs or CDA funding
  • Grad students: childcare reimbursement for those who hold Academic Student Employee (ASE) or Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) positions.

Additional early childcare solutions

• ECEC list of other local accredited childcare options
• Head Start / Early Head Start: Head Start and Early Head Start provide free childcare and early childhood education for children from infancy to age five, supporting low-income families. These programs, funded by both federal and state sources, offer comprehensive services, including early learning, health screenings, and family support resources to ensure children are ready to succeed in school. Find your local Head Start program here.
• California Childcare Resource and Referral Network: state and federal programs that offer a range of early learning and after-school services, including care for babies, toddlers, preschool-aged children, and children in kindergarten through sixth grade. To find available childcare programs near you, use the org provider search.
• San Diego Centralized Eligibility List: This is a one-stop application for several subsidy programs for child-care centers, home daycare and babysitting across San Diego County, some of which are close to UC San Diego.
• YMCA: Local YMCAs provide childcare and preschool, as well as summer and other school break camps for school-aged children. They also offer referrals to other local childcare providers and administer the CDA funding
  • Enhanced Childcare Referrals
  • Childcare Resource Service
  • Youth and Family Services
• com has listings for full-time, part-time, and as-needed in-home care. Students with children with disabilities can find care for specialized needs as well.

Camps and Summer Enrichment Programs

• UC San Diego Knock Around Camps
• Outside organizations that hold summer programs at UC San Diego
• Off-campus camps and enrichment program

Caring for Aging Loved Ones

Options in San Diego County and through federal and state funded resources to help you care for your aging loved ones’ needs while you attend UCSD.

• San Diego PACE Programs: daytime programs for seniors 55+ who meet skilled nursing levels for care, and can live at home or in the community with assistance. Their mission: “To provide all around care for our participants in order for them to live well and thrive in their community.” This program is funded by Medicare.
• CA Dept. of Social Services Elder Care Facility Search: search tool to find daytime support and skilled care residential facilities near you
• In Home Supportive Services (San Diego): State-funded part time and/or overnight in home care services funded by Medi-Cal
• Family Caregiver Support Program (San Diego) - for state-funded case management, respite, legal assistance, support groups, care planning and elder care program connections
• California Department of Aging Adult Day Services: resource to search for Adult Day Programs and Adult Day Health Care programs to support aging loved ones who do not require 24-hour skilled nursing in a community-based setting