The Baby Ph.D. Story:

 Baby Ph.D. Inc was established in September 2002 after several Hyde Park families had been informally sharing a professionally trained educator as a nanny/caretaker for nearly a year.  The parents saw their children thrive when given daily opportunity for professionally guided, developmentally appropriate, musical, verbal, social, and physical stimulation. 

 In winter of 2004 Baby Ph.D. expanded to include a second daycare home.  In summer of 2006 Baby Ph.D. was given a grant from the Child Care Initiative of The University of Chicago.  With this grant we have been able to expand to include a nanny-share program and several additional daycare homes located throughout Hyde Park, and the surrounding neighborhoods.  While each Baby Ph.D. location is independently owned and operated, we all utilize a common curriculum and common administrative procedures.

Current Information:

 

As of Fall 2007, the network consists of 8 independent childcare providers, three nanny-shares, and a   provider resource center.  Network members are committed to providing you and your children with reliable, high quality, home-based childcare.  While each Baby Ph.D. Network location is unique, reflecting our diverse membership, we all utilize similar curricula & administrative procedures.  

 

   The Baby Ph.D. Childcare Network is supported in part, through a grant from The University of Chicago   Child Care Initiative.  This grant provides resources for our members to:

 

·        Receive on-site mentoring and support in both administrative and programmatic issues.

·        Receive on and off-site supplemental programming for the children in their care.  Supplemental programming is currently available in American Sign-language, Spanish language, music, creative arts, and pre-literacy skill development. 

·        Participate in frequent professional development seminars & workshops.

·        Receive substitute care support.

·        Receive assistance with licensing an accreditation procedures.

·        Receive financial support for, and professional consultation regarding, environmental safety.

·        Share books, toys, and educational supplies via the Baby Ph.D. Childcare Network lending library.

 

Although each site within the Network is independent, many Network Providers and the children in their care interact with one another on a regular basis.  We do this through participation in group music, sign-language, and Spanish classes and through informal play-groups and walks outside and to local parks.