In July, the Postdoctoral Association conducted a survey to assess childcare needs among the Rockefeller postdoctoral community. We had a total of 121 replies: 72 respondents have children, 34 respondents do not have children but plan to while they are at Rockefeller, and 15 do not have plans to have any children while they are at Rockefeller. The results have been published on the PDA Web site (http://www.rockefeller.edu/pda). Due to a myriad of situations that any particular family may face, this survey did not have a huge number of respondents in any one category; thus, to make sweeping generalizations based on the numbers we have collected would be unfair. Rather, we will use the results to highlight the main issues relating to childcare options for Rockefeller postdoc families.

First, it is obvious that there is a serious need for group-care options for postdoc parents at RU. Our Child and Family Center (CFC), while a fantastic resource, only has room for 16 infants; however, it provides many more toddler and preschool slots. In addition, there are very few childcare centers in the neighborhood around campus, so that those living in Rockefeller housing have few outside options. Those who live further away from campus or with spouses working elsewhere in town may have other options due to their location. Overall, many of our families resort to in-home care when they are unable to secure a spot in the CFC.

The most obvious disadvantage to non-CFC childcare is the price. In our survey, nine families stated that they have a full-time nanny for their children, ranging in price from $600-2,400 a month, an average of $1,722. Two people stated that they have hired a part-time babysitter, at prices of $1,200 and $1,600 a month. One family uses a home-based group care provider at a cost of $200 a month, and another family uses another group-care center at $1,800 a month for their one child. All of these average to $1,562 a month for childcare. Most of these families have one child, and the two-child families were all full-time nanny households, paying less than the maximum above. In contrast, the monthly postdoc cost for care at the Rockefeller CFC is $850 for infants and $658 for toddler/preschool; thus, postdocs are, on average, spending twice the cost of CFC care for their children. In an environment where other costs are escalating and prices for larger apartments have increased much more over the past few years, both on- and off-campus, this means that the financial burden on postdocs with young families has substantially and disproportionately increased.

The result of the current system is in effect a lottery—those postdocs who by luck of the draw (or fertilization) get their applications to the CFC in earliest will be most likely to secure spots for their children. Those who have children later in the “school cycle” will have to wait longer before being able to enroll their children into the CFC. This inequitable situation has been addressed at other universities, most notably Princeton, which gives postdocs a stipend to defray the costs of childcare for those not in the campus daycare. The PDA strongly advocates that Rockefeller University make such a commitment, and establish a similar benefit for postdocs here. Compared to most other places, Manhattan is a very expensive place for childcare options, especially when you are trying to do science on a postdoc income. It would undoubtedly be a draw to some potential postdocs to have a childcare credit available. As proof of this, more than half of our respondents with children indicated that on-campus daycare was a very important part of their decision to choose to work at Rockefeller. The use of non-CFC options puts financial strains on postdocs and negatively impacts their research. Half of the parents strongly agree that their off-campus childcare creates serious financial hardship for their families and seriously hinders their productivity in lab. About 90% of respondents with or expecting children applied for a position at the CFC, highlighting how important this resource is to postdocs. The highest number of children enter the CFC at ages 6-12 months (14 out of 43), not at the earliest possible age of 3 months. Ten out of 21 families still on the CFC waiting list have been there from 3-6 months, and the largest numbers were on the wait list, a total of 6-12 months (13 families) or 12-18 months (16 families) before their child entered the CFC.

The Rockefeller CFC is a fantastic resource. Those of us who are lucky enough to use the CFC can attest to the care and dedication of all the employees, which is engendered by the director, Marjorie Goldsmith. As is usually the case when something is greatly coveted, there are numerous rumors about the operation of the center regarding selection of children. Everyone should know that you can put in your application for the CFC at any time after you have confirmed the pregnancy, but proof of pregnancy is not required. Those coming to work at Rockefeller should know that you can—and are encouraged to—apply for a spot for your child when you know that you will be moving here. Waiting until closer to your employment start date will mean that you are likely to spend time on the waiting list after arriving on campus. And yes, Heads of Laboratories do get priority for spots, but it should be known that the only others who enjoy this perk are those with siblings currently enrolled at the CFC. Everyone else who applies is placed on the waiting list according to date of application. If you want to know where you are on the list, please contact the CFC personnel. They are more than willing to discuss this with you, including other options you have for childcare. They are extremely helpful and friendly, and you should feel comfortable asking any questions regarding your child’s placement.

In conclusion, we acknowledge that Rockefeller has a tremendous resource in the CFC, and should be commended for this proven commitment to families. We urge the University to further this commitment to more postdoc families. It is not possible to expand the CFC at this time, but it could be possible to provide financial assistance to those families unlucky enough not to be placed at the CFC. Arranging a special rate at neighborhood childcare facilities for Rockefeller postdocs would go a long way in improving the situation. With an additional investment in the welfare of postdoc families, Rockefeller will undoubtedly reap the rewards in increased productivity by a scientific workforce with a much lighter burden to carry.

Finally, thanks to all who responded to our survey. It is only through such participation that we can be armed with information to use in our advocacy for the postdoctoral experience here at Rockefeller. As always, send your comments or questions to us at and check out our Web site at http://www.rockefeller.edu/pda/.