Family Care
Helping Heels
Helping Heels is a resource for UNC-Chapel Hill faculty, staff and students to find part-time child care, elder care and pet care from fellow Tar Heels.
The list is updated every fall and spring. Since fall 2020, the list is provided in partnership between the UNC Work/Life & Wellness and the Carolina COVID-19 Student Services Corps (Carolina CSSC) supported by the Office of Human Resources and the Office of the Provost.
Work/Life & Wellness nor the Office of the Provost screens the Helping Heels caregivers listed.
Child Care
Assistance Finding Care
Early Years, a non-profit child care resource and referral agency, administers the UNC-Chapel Hill Childcare Program. UNC-Chapel Hill contracts with Early Years to help employees and students access affordable high-quality care for their children.
UNC-Chapel Hill Child Care Scholarship Program
UNC sponsors Child Care Scholarships through Early Years for full-time UNC-Chapel Hill employees and students with children under 13 years of age. Eligible families must use a 4- or 5-star licensed child care facility in North Carolina.
If you’re interested in applying for a child care scholarship, please contact 919-403-6950 or email familyscholarship@earlyyearsnc.org for additional information.
- Assistance is limited to 1 full-time equivalent (FTE) of child care per full-time employee/student
- 1 FTE = 1 full-day child care program
- 1/2 FTE = after-school program or 1/2-day preschool program
- Full-time child care in a 4- or 5-star licensed family child care home or center
- After-school care in a 4- or 5-star licensed program
- Part-time or preschool care in a 4- or 5-star licensed program
- Full or part-time summer care in a 4- or 5-star licensed program
Child care facilities are licensed by the State of North Carolina’s Division of Child Development and Early Education. Though after-school and preschool programs of four hours or less are not required to be regulated (licensed), they may choose to do so as a sign of commitment to quality. To encourage quality, UNC-Chapel Hill will subsidize only 4- or 5-star licensed child care programs.
- Providers must have a policy and practice of prohibiting corporal punishment
- Providers must be willing to sign a contract with Early Years
- Provider admissions policies must be inclusive of all children, regardless of their race, gender, creed, color, or national origin
Maximum Household Income Requirements
See the following family size and maximum household income requirements:
Family Size | Maximum Household Income (effective January 2025) |
---|---|
Two | $84,600 |
Three | $106,600 |
Four | $128,600 |
Five | $150,600 |
Six | $172,600 |
For employees whose gross household income exceeds the guidelines above, the Dependent Day Care Flexible Spending Account (DDCFSA), a pre-tax spending account program, is applicable and can result in substantial savings. To receive information on DDCFSA, call Benefits Services at 919-962-3071.
Employment/Academic Status for Assistance Eligibility
- Permanent UNC-Chapel Hill employees (30+ hours/week)
- Students currently enrolled full-time at UNC-Chapel Hill
- Some combination of parents or legal guardian being either an employee and/or student
The parent must pay their respective co-payments to the child care provider and sign an agreement with Early Years.
The employee/student must immediately notify Early Years of any changes in the following:
- Withdrawal of child from the child care provider
- Change of child care provider
- Change in employment/academic status or course load
- Change in family status or size (divorce, marriage, birth, adoption, etc.)
- Change in household income
For more information on program requirements and procedures, contact Child Care Services Association at 855-EARLY-ED (855-327-5933).
Will the University know if I am awarded a Child Care Scholarship?
No, scholarship recipients names and other personal identifiable information (PII) are not shared with the University. The Office of Human Resources receives quarterly information on the number of children served, amount paid per month, child’s age, race, gender and residing county, family size, household income and the number of families on the waitlist.
Will accepting a Child Care Scholarship impact other financial support a student receives from the University?
Accepting a child care scholarship will not negatively impact any other financial support the student receives from the University. The Office of Scholarships and Student Aid collects outside scholarship information directly from students who receive these funds. If a student receives funding to cover childcare expenses for dependent children under the age of 13, the cost of attendance can be adjusted by the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid to include this amount so that other financial aid is not impacted by this additional funding.
Are there any program or immigration rules on the total amount of money a student is allowed to accept from all sources?
Immigration regulations can be complex. If individuals are in university-sponsored non-immigrant status (such as F-1 or J-1), it is advisable for them to consult with the University’s International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS). For those in other immigration statuses, it is recommended they seek advice from an immigration attorney. Additionally, with an immigration attorney, providing an accessible resource for legal guidance.
Am I protected from discrimination?
The University’s Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Related Misconduct prohibits discrimination and harassment based on protected status, including sex. Sex discrimination and harassment can include discrimination or harassment based on parental, family, or marital status. The Policy also prohibits discrimination or harassment based on pregnancy or related medical conditions, which includes failing to provide or implement reasonable accommodations for pregnancy or related medical conditions.
For more information:
- Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment and Related Misconduct Including Sex-Based Harassment, Sexual Assault, Interpersonal Violence and Stalking
- Visit the Pregnancy and Lactation page of the Equal Opportunity and Compliance Office website to find information about requesting accommodations for pregnancy and related medical conditions as well as information about support for lactation on campus
To request information about subsidy options or be placed on the waiting list for assistance through Early Years, e-mail referral@earlyyearsnc.org or call 855-EARLY-ED (855-327-5933) to reach a Child Care Referral Specialist.
Visit earlyyearsnc.org/families
Email referral@earlyyearsnc.org
Call 855-EARLY-ED (855-327-5933) to reach a Child Care Referral Specialist
Discounted Child Care Centers
University Child Care Center
130 Friday Center Drive | Chapel Hill, NC 27517
919-929-2662
unc@brighthorizons.com
Childcare Matters Day Care & Preschool
825 North Estes Drive | Chapel Hill, NC 27514
919-929-8190
KinderCare
Find the KinderCare location near you
Legacy Academy Preschool
515 East Winmore Avenue | Chapel Hill, NC 27516
919-929-7060
Primrose School Chapel Hill East
4527 Pope Road | Durham, NC 27707
919-491-5686
Additional Resources
- Dependent Day Care Flexible Spending Account: See the information on this page for details and how and when to enroll.
- National Parent Helpline provides free emotional support from trained Advocates, Monday-Friday, 1 p.m. – 10 p.m. EST (in both English and Spanish) at 1-855-4A PARENT (1-855-427-2736)
- NC Child Care Resources and Referral Hotline: Call 1-888-600-1685, M-F 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- YMCA Program Offerings
See the Parenting section of the Total WellBeing On-Demand Library for more resources.
Elder Care
Providing care for another adult is complex and presents a variety of challenges including managing another person’s health, medical care, legal and financial responsibilities as well as taking care of one’s self, relationships and work responsibilities. Resources and services are available at the University, in the community and through government programs that can help you with the challenges of family caregiving.
Call or go online 24/7 for free and confidential assistance with these and other elder care issues:
- Long-term care insurance
- Paying for elder care
- Dealing with caregiver stress
The program acts as a link between senior citizens and information about their health insurance. You can contact SHIIP at 1-800-443-9354 or (919) 807-6900.
Brookdale Senior Living
Save 10% off the private duty home care basic rate and 7.5% off monthly fee/basic service rate on Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care.*
Redeems with proof of UNC employment or proof of UNC Chapel Hill retiree. Discount good through December 31, 2025.
*Available for new residents only. | **Additional restrictions apply.
Contact Information:
Brookdale Senior Living
2230 Farmington Dr
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Homewatch CareGivers of the Triangle
UNC-Chapel Hill employees receive 10% off exceptional in-home care and companionship services for dependent family members in Orange, Durham, Chatham and Wake counties.
Services include hourly, 24-hour and live-in care; comprehensive personal care, specialized care for Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Simply mention this ad and that you are faculty or staff at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Contact
Homewatch CareGivers of the Triangle
Matt Wright, Community Relations Manager
101 Cosgrove Ave., Suite 120
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
919-960-6038
MWright@homewatchcaregivers.com
Orange County Department on Aging
Orange County Department on Aging (OCDOA) is a one-stop resource where older adults and caregivers can meet their social, mental, physical, financial and day-to-day practical needs.
Triangle J Area Agency on Aging
Triangle J Area Agency on Aging (TJAAA) focuses on its partnership efforts as a means of leveraging a quality continuum of support for the region’s older adults.
Contact UNC Total WellBeing
Jessica Pyjas, Senior Total WellBeing Manager
Meriem Alqoh, University Program Associate
Email | totalwellbeing@unc.edu