Sick and backup child care center opens in Madison

Chicken Soup, a child care center providing backup and mildly ill child care services, recently opened in Madison.

The facility, located at 3553 University Ave., is holding an open house for parents to view the facility and preregister for services.

The Office of Child Care and Family Resources recently secured a contract with Chicken Soup to provide services for students, faculty and staff, according to Lynn Edlefson, director of the office.

When a child becomes ill and cannot attend their regular center or family provider, Chicken Soup is there to help. For students, faculty or staff who must attend work or class, Chicken Soup has made an effort to provide affordable, safe and responsive care for children, ages 6 weeks to 12 years of age.

Chicken Soup is a state-licensed facility that is owned and operated by two pediatric nurses, Becky Ketarkus and Jessie Pindilli. The center provides separate facilities for mildly ill children and for children using the backup services; the center is licensed for up to 14 children on any day. Services for students are supported through the Child Care Tuition Assistance Program, which is funded by the Student Services Finance Committee with segregated fees. Contact Joyce Jennings Currier with questions at 265-9662.

Faculty and staff may be eligible for financial assistance that provides a sliding scale for the hourly fees, thanks to a private grant from UW Women in Philanthropy. Contact April Kigeya at 265-9123 for more information.

Download applications at http://www.housing.wisc.edu/OCCFR/web_pages/facilities/kids_kare_info.htm.

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to tour the center and preregister for services during the open house, scheduled for 9 a.m.–noon on Saturday, Oct. 28.