Need child care while you’re on campus? Dallas College, together with the YMCA, is excited to offer free drop-in child care at our El Centro and Richland campuses.
Coming Soon: North Lake and Mountain View locations!
The Child Watch Program provides space for the children of eligible Dallas College students. It is available each day on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Program Benefits
When your children are in the Child Watch program, you have the freedom to use that time as you see fit. You might:
Child Watch Program Services
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Eligible families can receive the following services at no cost:
- Children drop-off for ages 3-12 for up to 4 hours at a time.
- 20 spots are available per four-hour time slot.
- First come, first served availability each day.
- Daily activities provided.
Child watch services are currently available at El Centro and Richland Campuses.
Eligibility
Eligible Dallas College students must be:
- Currently enrolled
- Taking at least one course at Dallas College
- The parent of children between the ages of 3-12
Immigration status is not considered for enrollment.
Ready to use drop-in child care
What You Need:
- Dallas College Student ID
- State-issued ID
Register: We recommend you complete the Child Watch paperwork on the YMCA website before your first visit however, you can also register on site.
Interested in receiving regular updates about the Child Watch program?
Locations
Child Watch is currently available at El Centro and Richland Campuses. Additional campuses will be added soon.
El Centro Campus
Visit Us
- Room P-228
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Downtown Health Sciences Center
301 N. Market St.
Dallas, TX 75202 - View Child Watch at El Centro Map
Contact Us
Hours for Child Watch at El Centro
- Mon.-Fri.: 8 a.m. to noon, 1 to 5 p.m., and 6 to 9 p.m.
Richland Campus
Visit Us
- Room K-101 (use west entrance/side doors)
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Richland Campus
12800 Abrams Road
Dallas, TX 75243 - Parking Lot Z or ZZ
- View Child Watch at Richland Map
Contact Us
Hours for Child Watch at Richland
- Mon.-Fri.: 8 a.m. to noon, 1 to 7 p.m.
What to Expect
Potty Training Requirements
- To ensure the best experience for all children, it is preferred that children attending Child Watch be potty trained. However, this is not a requirement. Parents of children who are not yet potty trained should remain accessible by phone during their child's time in Child Watch, as we may need to contact them for a diaper change. For safety and hygiene reasons, Child Watch staff are unable to assist with diaper changes.
Professor Communications
- It’s important to communicate with your professor about any requests or concerns related to being a student parent. For example, you might send a message like this: ”I wanted to inform you that my child(ren) are enrolled in the college's drop-in child care program. As a result, I need to keep my phone with me during class so I can remain accessible in case of any safety concerns or emergencies.”