Postdoc Life
Info for Parents and Expectant Parents at the University of Chicago
The Postdoctoral Association has authored this page with useful information for postdocs who are expecting a child. It offers information generally applicable to postdoctoral fellows and scholars at the University of Chicago. As each individual's situation is unique, it is strongly recommended that you direct specific questions to your faculty sponsor, departmental administrator or the office of the dean.
Expectant Parents
Maternity Leave and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
IMPORTANT! Please talk to your advisor and their departmental administrators. There are forms, approvals and visa implications that need to be addressed in a timely manner.
Scholars
Scholars are eligible for Family and Medical Leave Act (3 months of unpaid maternity leave) after one year of employment.
Information on the Family and Medical Leave act from the United States Department of Labor
Fellows
Fellows should investigate the policies of their grant agency for addressing information on paid or unpaid maternity leave (if any). Fellows are NOT eligible for Family and Medical Leave Act from the University of Chicago.
The NIH maternity leave guidelines stipulate that trainees and fellows may receive stipends for up to 60 calendar days (equivalent to 8 work weeks) of parental leave per year for the adoption or the birth of a child. The use of parental leave must be approved by the training Program Director.
Other useful information for Expectant Families
- Classes for Expectant Families at the University of Chicago
- Classes for Expectant Families at Northwestern Prentice Women's Hospital
- Breastfeeding information and support - La Leche League
- University of Chicago, breastfeeding room for moms - Room TC275 in hospital. A hospital ID is required to enter the room, so all who work in the hospital should be able to have access. Contact Office of Graduate Affairs Student Parent Group
- Subscribe to student parents listserve & post messages for other members
- Parent Resource Directory for Hyde Park (MS Word file)
- The Family Resource Center (FRC) (in the second floor of University Church at 57th and University) will be open Monday thru Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm during the academic year.
The Family Resource Center welcomes graduate and professional student families affiliated with the University of Chicago. Our mission is to create a welcoming space where families from the university community can access resources, information, and supportive programming and services.
Access to the FRC is available at no charge for university affiliated families but you must submit the Registration Form (PDF) and the Parental Release and Consent Form (PDF) to the FRC Manager. These forms may be submitted via fax (773-702-1194) or you can visit the center in person to register and pick up a welcome packet. If you plan to have another caretaker bring your child to the FRC, please be sure to list the caretaker's name in Exhibit B, Designation of Childcare Providers, on the Parental Release and Consent Form.
Childcare
- See list of Pre-schools and nurseries in the Parent Resource Guide (MS Word file)
- BabyPhD - Professional Home Day Care and Preschool focused on learning & exploration (Hyde Park and surrounding neighborhoods only)
In the summer of 2006 Baby Ph.D. was given a grant from the Child Care Initiative of The University of Chicago. This grant allowed for several daycare homes and a nanny-share program located throughout Hyde Park, and the surrounding neighborhoods. While each Baby Ph.D. location is independently owned and operated, they all utilize a common curriculum and are visited and monitored by Baby Ph.D. each month.
- University of Chicago Benefits Office, Ingleside Hall, Room 308 773-834-7396. This resource provides list of full-time and part-time home child-care providers. It is not prescreened.
- Childcare Referral Program (Illinois Action for Children)
You can call the Resource and Referral Service to speak with a trained child care consultant about your child care needs. He or she can help you locate and evaluate: 1) Child care centers; 2) Family child care homes for infants and school-age children; 3) Before- and after-school care for school-age children; and 4) Summer programs for school-age children. (Note: These are not recommendations)
Activities for Children
- The Laboratory Schools, Smart Museum, and Gerald Ratner Athletics Center offer a variety of programs for University of Chicago employees' children (Scholars only).
- Parks and Playgrounds in Hyde Park
- Chicago Children's Museum
- Chicago Public Library
- Chicago Park District