Child Care
Support for your family, when and where you need it.
Access child care programs that provide ongoing support, financial assistance, and backup care options.
You may receive up to $5,000 per year, based on eligibility and household income.
When You Can Enroll
You can elect CCAP within 31 days of becoming benefits eligible, during Open Enrollment, or within 31 days of a Qualifying Life Event.
What You Need to Do
- Review the Program Guidelines.
- Complete the Gross Annual Income Calculation Worksheet.
- Gather required documentation.
- Submit your online application. (Coming Soon!)
Required Documentation
You will need to provide:
- Spouse/domestic partner’s two most recent paystubs.
- 2026 Federal income tax return (pages showing dependents, gross income, and signatures).
- Documentation if your spouse/domestic partner is not employed (such as job search verification, student status, disability status, or immigration status explanation).
- Child relationship documentation (birth certificate, guardianship, or adoption paperwork), unless:
- Your child is enrolled in a Caltech medical, dental, or vision plan, or
- Your child was approved for CCAP within the past two years.
- Completed Gross Annual Income Calculation Worksheet.
Program Documents
2027 CCAP Program Guidelines
Gross Annual Income Calculation Worksheet
Child Educational Center (CEC)
The Child Educational Center offers full- and part-time programs for infants, toddlers, preschool, and school-age children. You can access discounted rates through Caltech.
This benefit helps when:
- A babysitter or nanny is unavailable
- School or daycare is closed
- Your child is mildly ill
- You need coverage while working late
- You are working from home and need care support
Eligibility
Eligible participants include:
- Non-visiting faculty
- Benefits-eligible staff
- Postdoctoral scholars
- Graduate students
Eligible dependents include:
- Children ages 2 months through 16 years (or older with special needs)
- Stepchildren, foster children, and children under legal guardianship
What the Program Covers
Caltech subsidizes* up to 10 days of backup child care per plan year (January 1– December 31).
Employee cost:
- In-home care: $6 per hour
- In-center care: $10 per child per day
Note: The subsidy provided is considered taxable income*.
Additional Care.com Membership
You also receive a free Care.com membership, which provides access to:
- Long-term caregivers (children and adults)
- Pet care
- Home care services
Get Started
Enroll or request backup care
How to request backup child care video
Backup Child Care FAQs
Backup Child Care Provider: Care.com
Care.com is Caltech’s backup child care provider. Set up an account to request backup care and find long-term caregivers.
Website: caltech.care.com
Chat: Available via the website
Download the mobile app:
Phone: (855) 781-1303 (available 24/7)
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.