When you have support, life is a little easier. The University of Michigan now partners with Bright Horizons® to provide 15 days of lower-cost backup care annually across the U.S., and other resources to help you care for those who matter most while you fulfill your commitments to U-M.
These resources are available to active, benefits-eligible faculty and staff, as well as registered and enrolled U-M students. For details, please see Eligibility for University-Supported Backup Care through Bright Horizons near the end of this page.
Sign Up Now So You're Good to Go
Register now so you can request backup care quickly if you ever need it. You can also sign up for Sittercity® access. Take some time to explore the available services and support for your work, school, and family life.
- Visit clients.brighthorizons.com/umich and click “Join Today”
- Enter your uniqname (your U-M login ID) and continue to receive a confirmation email.
- Follow the prompts in the confirmation email to continue registering.
- Create a personalized username and password for future access to the MyBright Horizons website. Always use this U-M specific link to access services: clients.brighthorizons.com/umich.
- Call the Bright Horizons toll-free number at 877-BH-CARES (877-242-2737) with any questions, or to register by phone. Care consultants are available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.
Find Support: Bright Horizons Backup Care
When your child's regular care provider is unavailable, or you or your adult family member needs assistance, request backup care to fill the gap so you don't have to miss work or classes.
- Access up to 15 days of U-M subsidized backup care (per employee or student, per calendar year: January 1-December 31, up to 10 hours per day).
- Request care as soon as you know that you’ll need it (the more notice, the better!), up to 90 days in advance.
- Reserve child care for your dependent child in your own home or in a participating child care center.
- Request support for yourself, your parent, grandparent, or adult sibling, in your home or theirs.
- This substantially-subsidized U-M backup care has affordable copays of $15/child per day or $25/family per day in a participating child care center (generally, weekdays only), and $8/hour for care at home, up to 10 hours per day.
Explore More: Sittercity Membership and Enhanced Family Supports
Once you sign up, you can also access a variety of family care resources and education support offerings — with exclusive savings and discounts.
Note: The following resources are self-sourced (you search the site and choose a care provider) and self-funded (all costs are paid by you). Backup care credits cannot be applied.
- Receive free premium membership to Sittercity to search and post online for babysitters, housekeepers, and more.
- Get preferred enrollment and waived registration fees at most Bright Horizons child care centers.
- Browse additional options from Bright Horizon companies and partners.
Disclaimer
Child and Family Care does not endorse or represent any resources listed as recommended by the University of Michigan.