Children at the Reunion Information
The 15th reunion committee has received questions about several issues related to bringing children to reunion events. We hope the following information answers any questions you might have on this subject.

Fifteen years after graduation, many of us have families whom we want to introduce to our friends and classmates. Rest assured, children are welcome at all reunion events, including the evening events. However, the only event that will have activities specifically geared toward children is the Saturday barbecue.

TICKETS FOR CHILDREN: For the barbecue: A reduced-price ticket ($25) is necessary for any child age four or older. This ticket covers food and activities. No ticket is necessary for children under four. The organization that will provide children’s activities recommends the activities for ages 4 and older. If a mature 3-year old wants to participate in these activities, the child will need a $25 ticket. For all other events: No tickets are necessary for children at any of the other reunion events.

CHILDCARE: For children ages 3 and older, childcare is available on Friday and Saturday evenings through Children's Conference Care, Inc., an organization that works with the Harvard Alumni Association. Each session runs from 6:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. and costs $55 per child (including dinner), plus a $15 per family registration fee. The care is provided at the Cronkhite Graduate Center, 6 Ash Street. Space is limited and a $10 late registration fee is charged after May 17. Complete information and a medical release is a vailable on the attached PDF file or by contacting CCCI: Children's Conference Care, Inc. PO Box 920776 Needham 02492-0008 childconf@aol.com 617-492-6925 781-444-1025 (fax)

CHILDREN UNDER 3:
Following you'll find some information on established babysitting services local to Cambridge who would be more than happy to talk to any of you regarding care for your children of any ages during the reunion weekend, as well as a web source for more agencies if you feel the desire for further research. Obviously, the sooner you reserve your sitter, the more options you will probably have. Both agencies profess to be very flexible regarding the ages and number of kids in a group, so it is entirely feasible for families to pool their kids and resources and hire caregivers together, if that works for your family's needs and schedules. The sitters will come to your hotel, dorm, or otherwise designated location, but note that the university will NOT be providing any special facilities or space for the kiddies to hang out during the events (with the exception of the Saturday picnic), so all the creative arrangements are up to the individual parents and caregivers.

They will provide "in-hotel" (or "in dorm") room care. Minimum 4 hours per session., maximum 10-12 hours. According to their intro telephone recording, winner of "2002 National Agency of the Year" award.

Rates are…
+$10/hr for 1 child, + $1/hr for each additional child (what a deal!)
+ $35 "referral" fee per day of use (i.e. use them for 2 days, pay $35 x 2)
+ Transportation for caregiver to your site up to $15 max. for the day

Families can book babysitter individually for their child/ren alone, or can group together with another family and have multiple children watched together. Per the agency: "Many of our childcare providers have experience with infants and even newborns. There are no age restrictions. The ages of the children do affect the ratio. At all times we must maintain a ratio of 4:1 for children 3 years and older, and 2:1 for babies and toddlers under 3 years."

Care is available to be booked 7 days a week, however the office (for reservations and information) is open 8:00am – 5:00pm, Monday – Friday.

Rates are $12-$15/hr per nanny (rates vary depending on caregiver used). You pay caregiver in check or cash on day of service. If caregiver has to pay parking fees, these should also be paid by parents. There is no flat "referral" fee charged by Minute Women; INSTEAD agency bills an additional $8/hr (agency fee) to your credit card after event is finished. So, if the babysitter is charging $12/hr., you will really end up paying $20/hr. once the agency fee is added.

There is no minimum age, they will take newborns and above. Ratios of caregivers/children vary per situation, based on ages of children, special needs of children, etc. They will care for kids from multiple families at a time, up to their standard sitter:kid ratio. Katie will work with family/ies based on individual situations./family typically, but ratios will vary. They will customize per situation. Care is available 24 hours, 7 days a week.

In addition, you can make your own childcare arrangements through the following Boston area babysitting service on a space-available basis:

Care-A-Lot Child Care: 617-863-5251