The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recognizes the important role high quality, affordable and accessible child care plays in the lives of NIH employees. Each of the NIH sponsored
child care
centers are independent private non-profit corporations, with oversight by parent boards. Each center provides a unique learning experience and is held to the highest standards of quality. The NIH Child and Family Programs office has set up a system to ensure the centers consistently provide care that adheres to Maryland State Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing regulations and meets the accreditation standards of the
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
The NIH Child and Family Programs office does not have responsibility for the day-to-day
business administration of the child care centers; including financial, administrative software tools, and management of administrative and child care staff. For more information about the NIH sponsored Child Care Centers, please check out the Frequently Asked Questions.
The NIH sponsored Child Care Centers are only one of the programs offered for NIH families.
Learn more about the child care subsidy program, the back-up care program for children, adults and self, the Parenting Listserv, and Lunch and Learn webinars on child development and parenting topics.
NIH Sponsored Child Care Centers:
Click on the different centers below to learn more.
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Which Center is Best for Your Family?
Each of the NIH sponsored child care centers provides high quality child care, based on current early childhood best practices. However, each program has its own unique program characteristics and dynamics. Below is a link to a side-by-side comparison chart of the Maryland centers. As a parent, it is up to you to research each center to determine which center would be a good fit for your family. You can obtain additional information by contacting the Child Care Centers directly to request a tour.
Click to view a side-by-side comparison chart of the NIH sponsored Child Care Centers located in Montgomery County, Maryland.
NIH Waitlist:
Transition of NIH Child Care Wait List Management
The management of the NIH Child Care Wait List has transitioned from LifeWork Strategies to direct oversight by the NIH Child Care Centers.
During this transition:
- For questions regarding the new NIH Child Care Center Wait List updates, please e-mail the NIH Child and Family Programs Office at NIH Employee Services ORSWEPB@ors.od.nih.gov.
- For inquiries regarding your current wait list status, please contact your selected child care center directly using the information below:
Parents of Preschoolers, Inc. (POPI)
Contact: Briana Barnes
Email: Briana.Barnes@nih.gov
Phone: (301) 496-5144
Northwest Child Care Center (NWCCC)
Contact: Lorena Amaya-Harvey
Email: HarveyLV@od.nih.gov
Phone: (301) 480-5447
Executive Child Development Center (ECDC)
Contact: Lorena Amaya-Harvey
Email: HarveyLV@od.nih.gov
Phone: (301) 480-5447
New NIH Wait List Procedures
New families who wish to add their child to the NIH Child Care Center Wait List must complete the NIH Child Care Center Interest Form and submit it by email to NIH Employee Services at ORSWEPB@ors.od.nih.gov. Child and Family Programs will confirm receipt of your NIH Child Care Interest Form and will reply via encrypted Secure Email and File Transfer (SEFT) e-mail with the NIH Child Care Wait List Application to protect the personal data on the application.
*Existing families who have established a previous profile through LifeWork Strategies will not need to submit a new application. *
Other Resources:
Inclement Weather - Opening and Closure Procedures for NIH Child Care Centers
NIH Child Care Centers' hours of operation will be modified to ensure that the centers are operating as normally as possible during disruptions of the Federal Government's operations.
Emergency Guide For Parents: NIH Child Care Centers Operation
In an Emergency situation at the NIH, emergency response personnel will make the determination to
relocate,
evacuate or "shelter in place" the children and staff of the three NIH Child Care Centers located in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Other Federal Child Care Centers
Many other Federal Agencies in the Washington Metropolitan area sponsor on-site child care centers. These centers give priority to all Federal employees
NIH Child and Family Programs Team Responsibilities:
The Child and Family Programs Team functions as the liaison between the child care providers, families receiving care, and the NIH. The Team monitors and ensures quality assurance within each NIH sponsored child care center as well as compliance with the NIH Use Agreement held by each child care program. If you have additional questions or need more information, please call the NIH Child and Family Programs team at 301-827-3250.