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CAREERS

Need a bit of time away?

Big Blue Family Care helps you hire a UK student to babysit

For UK employees who need occasional caregivers for children or pets, we provide Big Blue Family Care. This referral service connects working parents with UK students looking for babysitting opportunities. Each sitter we refer to you has passed a UK employee background check.

Occasional care includes afternoons, nights and weekends. Emergency back-up care for the full day may be available, but it's rare for students to have a full day without classes.

Find a sitter for occasions

  • Afternoons
  • Nights
  • Weekends

We’ll share several vetted sitter contacts with you

After submitting your request, we'll share contact information for one to three caregivers who match the needs of your request. You can then review each contact, interview potential sitters and select the person who best meets the needs of your family.

We’ve reviewed all caregivers we refer, and each has passed a UK employee background check. The referral contacts you’ll receive from us are ready to interview with you.



You choose who to hire and how much to pay

It’s up to you to interview any sitters you’re considering and see if it’s a good fit on both ends. Use this interview guide to help you select the best caregiver. 

Rate of pay and logistics are negotiated between you and the caregiver you hire. Are you unsure about the going rate of pay for babysitting in your area? Use this calculator for rates by ZIP code.

Are you a student interested in this program?

Apply via online UK Student jobs application, complete a phone interview, complete a background check, start being referred to UK families for child or pet care.

Learn more

What families are saying

100% of survey respondents agree:

  • Big Blue Family Care met their needs
  • They would strongly recommend Big Blue Family Care to others.
  • They are satisfied with the overall quality of care provided for their children.
  • Big Blue Family Care made finding a child care provider easier than looking on their own.

 “Thank you for providing a much-needed service!” 

“You have been of great help to us!”

“Thank you again for offering this wonderful program!”

Request a referral to available sitters with Big Blue Family Care

After you tell us about your needs for child or pet sitting by answering a few quick questions, we’ll email you contact information for sitters who could be a good fit.

SIGNUP

News

December 01, 2020

Child Care Support & Resources

Child care is on most parents' minds these days. What will it look like in a year? How will this pandemic impact the availability, costs, locations, regulations, guidelines, etc.? All are good questions. Time will tell just how much this pandemic impacts child care providers and offerings.

August 13, 2020

Child care referrals with UK's Child Care Aware

Child Care Aware of Kentucky This UK Human Development Institute site includes several resources for families looking for child care:

July 20, 2019

Interviewing a caregiver

We strongly encourage you to interview potential student caregiver(s) before confirming child care arrangements. Asking opened-ended questions about their child care experience and skills is a good way to get to know them better in addition to asking for their references. This is also a good time to discuss the details of the position, including expectations, tasks and the hourly rate.

January 27, 2016

Choosing a quality child care program

This information has been updated. Find top rated child care Child care referrals with UK's ChildCare Aware Finding care for your child is an important decision, and one to consider well in advance of your child's arrival. Overall, a great child care provider or center has:

Big Blue Family Care

This referral service is available to UK employees who need occasional part-time caregivers for their children or pets, and jobs are available to UK students interested in babysitting and pet sitting opportunities.
 

Contact our office

Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
(859) 257-2648
worklife@uky.edu