Resources for Employees with Childcare Needs

With childcare in high demand, to help you get started in your search for childcare options, the following resources have been identified for employees who are working onsite and experiencing the need for immediate childcare due to school and childcare center closures. This space will be updated as new resources become available. If you have a community resource that you would like to share, email uabcdc@uab.edu.


  • Childcare Providers


    UAB Childcare Programs


    Community Childcare Programs

    • Learning Pods at the Birmingham Zoo
      • AGES: Grades 2nd-6th
      • WHEN: Weekly from September 15 to October 30, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (early and extended care provided at no additional charge, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.)
      • INFO: The Birmingham Zoo provides an Internet connection and a safe, socially distanced workspace for students who are participating in virtual learning while their parents are at work.
      • CONTACT: Click here to register.
    • YMCA: School Support Academy
    • LJCC Club J All Day
      • AGES: Grades K-6th
      • WHEN: Starting August 31, Monday-Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m., with drop off starting at 7:30 a.m. and after care available to 5 p.m.
      • INFO: Program open to students participating in virtual or mixed learning during the fall semester; electronic device and access credentials to the school's virtual program required. Masks required for all children and staff.
      • CONTACT: tweldon@bhamjcc.org, 205-510-9022
    • BeKare
      • AGES: 6 weeks to pre-K
      • WHEN: Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
      • INFO: NAEYC-accredited facility. Health checks for whole family on front porch before entering building.
      • CONTACT: 205-397-3516
    • Fletcher Academy
      • AGES: Grades K-8
      • WHEN: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m., starting August 31
      • INFO: Day camp with virtual and remote learning in outdoor classrooms for the first nine weeks of the fall semester. Discounts and scholarships available.
      • CONTACT: info@campfire-al.org, 205-584-6033
    • Hand in Hand Early Learning Program
      • AGES: 6 weeks to 4 years
      • WHEN: Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (returning families, August 3; new families, August 10)
      • INFO: NAEYC-accredited facility; developmentally appropriate curriculum.
      • CONTACT: info@unitedability.org; 205-944-3939
    • KinderCare Hoover
      • AGES: 6 weeks to 12 years
      • WHEN: Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
      • INFO: Children's temperature taken and hand sanitizer required before entering building; building closed to parents.
      • CONTACT: 205-822-8110
    • Life Time Vestavia Hills
      • AGES: 5-12 years
      • WHEN: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. with early drop off at 7 a.m.
      • INFO: After school care and distance learning camp. Hourly cleaning, masks required unless exercising, social distancing enforced while eating and online learning.
      • CONTACT: 205-547-3100
    • LJCC Child Development Center
      • AGES: 5-12 years
      • WHEN: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m., half-day program available
      • INFO: Building closed to parents; masks for children optional. LJCC membership required.
      • CONTACT: btraweek@bhamjcc.org; 205-510-9011
    • Mountain Brook Baptist Church
      • AGES: 6 weeks to 5 years
      • WHEN: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
      • INFO: Building closed to parents.
      • CONTACT: 205-871-0331
    • Odyssey Early Schools
      • AGES: Grades K-2nd
      • WHEN: Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. for aftercare, daycare for younger students available, beginning August 24
      • INFO: Small class sizes. Temperature taken before drop off; children with temperature over 100F must stay home for 72 hours. Pick up from Greystone, Inverness and Oak Mountain.
      • CONTACT: Inverness Campus, annie@odysseyearlyschool.com, 205-991-0039; Trace Crossings Location, amanda@odysseyearlyschool.com, 205-988-8829
    • School for Amazing Kids
      • AGES: 6 weeks through pre-K, before- and after-school services for ages 6-12.
      • WHEN: Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
      • INFO: Temperature taken before entering building. Children and teachers wash hands every 30 minutes.
      • CONTACT: Call individual locations for information on extended summer programs.
    • Girls Inc.
      • AGES: 6-18 years
      • WHEN: TBA
      • INFO: Limited class sizes (groups not to exceed 8 members, no more than 30 members in facility at one time)
      • CONTACT: 205-599-5555
    • Head Over Heels Gymnastics
    • Kiddie Academy
      • AGES: 6 weeks through 5 years
      • WHEN: Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
      • INFO: UAB employees receive 10% off monthly tuition for first child and 5% off sibling, waived registration fee and first week free for full-time students. Kindergarten class for virtual learners coming soon.
      • CONTACT: birmingham@kiddieacademy.net, 205-644-8585


    Childcare Search Resources

    • Childcare Resources: The Birmingham nonprofit provides a free database of childcare facilities in Jefferson County and the City of Birmingham that are open during the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit the website for current vacancies.
    • Wyndy: Wyndy is a Birmingham-based babysitting app that serves more than 18,000 families and is available to help UAB employees and residents to book a sitter. Parents can post any job for free, and then select from sitters who express interest in the job. Visit Wyndy.com to get started.
  • Guidance for Working Parents


    Employees who are asked to return to on-campus work to support Modified Business Operations should discuss with their supervisor any challenges in their ability to return to on-campus work due to childcare responsibilities. It is important that employees returning to on-campus work during Modified Business Operations do not bring their children to work with them. Bringing children to the workplace may compromise important safety and risk-reduction measures implemented by UAB. See resources below or contact your supervisor or HR representative for additional questions.

    • Childcare Providers: Employees who are asked to return to on-campus work are encouraged to look at available childcare options using the resources provided by UAB HR (see Childcare Providers tab on this page).
    • Alternative Work Schedules: Employees who are asked to return to on-campus work and are unable to find full-time childcare are encouraged to talk to their supervisors about potential modifications to their work schedules or duties, including telecommuting or alternative work schedule options, modifications to work hours, or staggered or alternating reporting for on-campus work.
      • UAB Remote Employees — visit go.uab.edu/remotework for technology and other tools to assist you in effectively working from home.
    • FFCRA Leave: Employees who have childcare responsibilities based on closures due to COVID-19 may also be eligible for leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). See UAB HR's Families First Coronavirus Response Act Leave webpage for information about the FFCRA, including how to apply for leave.
  • Emergency Leave Option


    Employees who cannot work or telework due to closure of school or childcare for son or daughter because of COVID-19 may qualify for additional leave benefits under Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) with the passing of the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Extension Act (EFMLEA).

    See UAB HR's Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Leave webpage for information on eligibility, how to apply and more.

  • Back-to-School Resources

    Child Mind Institute
    For families and educators alike, the transition into this school year comes with new challenges. Going "back to school" might mean attending in person with lots of distancing, navigating through another round of remote learning, or some of both. This site offers practical tools and expert advice to help you make the best of going back to school during the Coronavirus crisis.

    CDC Guide for Going Back to School
    Back-to-school planning resources with checklists to guide parents and caregivers. Whatever situation you are faced with returning back to school, these checklists are intended to help parents, guardians, and caregivers, plan and prepare for the upcoming school year.

    Healthy Children Organization
    Resources on how to return to school as safely as possible, including how to navigate crowded hallways, buses, and playgrounds.

    Alabama Public Health
    This page offers a back to school toolkit, web presentation, potential outbreak form, district investigators map, and many more resources for school age children in Alabama.

    Alabama State Department of Education
    The resources on this page include a timeline of ALDSE communications to help understand the school’s role during a closure and our commitments to Alabama’s students.

  • Resources for Parents