Backup Childcare

What is backup childcare?

Family Care Benefits Overview Webinar Recording

Backup childcare you can utilize when your regular childcare is not available due to an unplanned circumstance. Care.com provides access to the largest online community of backup childcare caregivers. This subsidized* benefit is available for in-home and in-center backup childcare services. Understand more about backup childcare by reading the FAQs and the below examples of when backup childcare with Care.com should be utilized:

• Your babysitter or nanny is unavailable
• You need to work late
• Your regular daycare center is closed
• Your child's school is closed
• Your child is not feeling well
• You are working from home and need someone to watch your child

You will also have free access to Care.com's membership that provides unsubsidized long-term caregivers for children, adults, pets, and your home.

Why should you sign up for Care.com?

Childcare is not easy which is why Caltech is offering subsidized* backup childcare services. Plans do not always go as scheduled, Care.com can assist during unforeseen events or when your regular caregiver is not available. Sign up with Care.com now so you are ready when you need backup childcare in the future.

Care.com Overview Video

Who is Eligible for Subsidized Backup Childcare?

Caltech Community Members:

• Caltech Non-Visiting Faculty
• Benefit Eligible Staff
• Postdoctoral Scholars
• Graduate Students

Eligible Dependents Include

• Infants (2 months) to age 16 (or older with special needs)
  • Children
  • Step-children
  • Foster-children
  • Legal guardianship
  • Any other child for whom the eligible community member has legal guardianship

How much does it cost?

• Caltech will subsidize* up to 10-days of backup childcare each plan year (January 1st - December 31st)
• For in-home backup childcare, you pay a rate of $6/hour
• For in-center backup childcare, you pay a rate of $10/day per child
• The subsidized amount you receive toward backup childcare is considered taxable income*

When can I use this benefit?

Sign up with Care.com now so you are ready when you need backup childcare in the future. Watch a 1 minute video on how to enroll in Care.com and a 2 minute video on how to request services.

• Enroll with Care.com
• Request Backup Childcare

Where can I enroll, request backup childcare, and learn more?

Enroll and Request Services

1. Visit Caltech.Care.com
2. Download the ‘Care.com' mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play
3. Call 855-781-1303

Learn More

• For questions about Care.com backup childcare services, contact Care.com's customer service team:
  • Visit Caltech.Care.com
  • Call 855-781-1303 anytime, 24 hrs. a day
  • Chat virtually by visiting Caltech.Care.com and clicking ‘contact us' in the top right corner
• For questions about Caltech backup childcare eligibility, contact the Caltech Benefits Department:
  • Email [email protected]
  • Call 626-395-6443 M-F 8am-5pm PT
• Read the FAQs to have a better understanding of the benefit, payment/taxation process, common backup childcare questions, and more.

IRS Tax Information*

The value of any subsidy provided by Caltech to assist eligible participants with backup childcare must be treated as taxable income.The subsidy is considered as taxable income.The amount of income you receive that is associated with Care.com backup childcare is the difference between the fair market value of the service provided and your copayment. The subsidized amount you receive toward backup childcare will be included as imputed income on your paycheck and will be subject to tax withholding. It will also be reflected in your year-end W2 [Box 1]. If you do not receive a paycheck but receive a fellowship, the imputed income will be reported on a 1099-MISC.

Disclaimer of Warranties: The quality of individual care providers depends largely on the information they provide, and any background and verification checks performed and training provided by Care.com. Caltech does not evaluate or insure the character or skill of any individual care provider, nor does it guarantee that all information provided by individual care providers is accurate or complete. Caltech does not evaluate the correctness or truthfulness of the information submitted by individual care providers and cannot be responsible for any false information submitted. Accordingly, Caltech, in providing access to Care Membership and child backup care Services, undertakes no responsibility for, and disclaims all liability arising out of, resulting from or related to, the quality and standards of Services provided, and in no event shall Caltech be liable for any damages of any kind that are attributable or in any way related to the quality and care of this Service.

YOU EXPRESSLY UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT YOUR USE OF THIS CARE.COM PLATFORM, CARE MEMBERSHIP AND THE SERVICE OFFERED THROUGH THIS PLATFORM IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK. CALTECH EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. YOU AGREE TO VALIDATE AND VERIFY THE CORRECTNESS AND TRUTHFULNESS OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY CARE.COM AND INDIVIDUAL CARE PROVIDERS YOU UTILIZE.

Limitation of Liability: You expressly understand and agree Caltech shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or exemplary damages, including, but not limited to, damages for loss of profits, goodwill, use, data or other intangible losses (even if advised of the possibility of such damages), resulting from the use or the inability to use the Care.com Platform or Services.