Referral Service Statement

The Office of Family Resources is committed to parental choice in selecting child care arrangements. We are, therefore, not a placement service but a place that can facilitate your choice by identifying available child care facilities and providing resources to help you appropriately assess them in light of your own needs. We have information on facilities near Boston University and in the surrounding communities. Our goal is to provide you with information so that you can make the best possible decision based on your needs. As the parent you are best able to evaluate child care providers and select that which best fits your child's needs and your goals. You will feel the most comfortable with a situation that you yourself chose.

Responsibility for selecting and employing a provider for your child rests with you. It is of utmost importance that you carefully interview and check references of each prospective child care provider. This department gives no guarantee as to the quality of any referral nor does it recommend any program. We support you as parents in making your own personal decisions about child care by providing information on what is available and by offering you the opportunity to become acquainted with the issues involved in choosing child care.

Looking for child care is hard work. No one can do it for you. We urge you to be comparison shoppers and to give yourself time to visit each facility, and interview and evaluate carefully. Only then can you make an informed choice and feel good about your decision.

Remember that choosing a child care arrangement is a tedious and time consuming process, so you must plan ahead. Even after you have settled into an arrangement and think your problems have been solved, you might find yourself considering a change because of a change in your circumstances or because your child is constantly changing and therefore has constantly changing needs. In the beginning you may want the consistency of one adult in a familiar setting. As your child grows you may feel a need to expand his/her environment. Depending upon your child's disposition and personality you may decide on a small group or a large group. There is no one way to make your decision. The right way is based solely upon the needs of your family. You must educate yourself, explore what is available, and then trust your instincts.

After having read the above information, you may now have an idea as to the type of child care arrangement you might want to provide for your child. In order for the Office of Family Resources to be able to provide referrals to members of the Boston University community, parents must fill out the referral service statement.

Please note that you must be affiliated with Boston University and must present proof of affiliation (e.g. a BU ID card) before the Office of Family Resources can provide services.

There are two ways to get the form:

1. Call us and ask us to mail it to you.
2. Click here to go to the referral statement form. Once you get there, simply go to the file menu on your browser and select print.

After you have filled out and signed the form, mail or fax it to the office at the address below. We will contact you by phone to further discuss your childcare needs.

Address:
985 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215

Fax: (617) 353-2333