Pilot Program
In response to strong interest from faculty and staff for childcare near UMass Lowell’s campus, the UML ADVANCE Office for Faculty Equity & Resilience (OFER) has led the establishment of a pilot program based on an OFE survey of faculty and staff childcare needs and priorities.
After talking with multiple childcare providers in Greater Lowell, the university has initiated partnerships with Acre Family Child Care and Atlas Academy. These two providers have agreed to open a limited number of discounted childcare slots for a 2023-24 pilot program.
To participate in the 2023-24, pilot program faculty and staff should express their interest through this online form by Monday, June 12. You will be asked to indicate your first and second preferences for a childcare provider. The pilot slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you are interested in learning more about the participating centers, click the center names below to view their websites.
Childcare Pilot Program Opportunities
1. Acre Family Child Care: Acre provides family-based care. Participants will be given a discount of $10/day off full-time tuition and $5/day off part-time tuition. Full-day hours vary by childcare location and part-time hours cover up to 5.5 hours of care. The Acre pilot program covers September 2023 through August 2024.
| Discounted Rates (daily) | Per Day Cost | 3-Day | 4-Day | 5-Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Children Under 2 (full-day) | $60 | $180 | $240 | $300 |
| Children Over 2 (full-day) | $50 | $150 | $200 | $250 |
| Part-time (any age group) | $42 | $126 | $168 | $210 |
2. Atlas Academy: Atlas provides center-based care. Participants will be given a discount of 25% off the tuition schedule for the 2023-24. Full-day hours cover from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., but families can arrange for before and after-school care that provides coverage from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. There is no discount for part-time care. The Atlas pilot program covers September 2023 through June 2024.
| Discounted Monthly Rates (full-day) | 3-Day | 4-Day | 5-Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toddler | $1,041 | $1,180 | $1,388 |
| Primary | $985 | $1,116 | $1,313 |
| Before School (starting at 7 a.m.) | $42 | $57 | $79 |
| After School (ending at 5 p.m.) | $42 | $57 | $79 |
| Before & After School | $79 | $90 | $105 |
Please reach out to childcare@uml.edu with any questions or concerns.
Our hope is to be able to provide additional childcare opportunities for UML faculty and staff in the future.