Reunion Childcare
Grinnell College partners with licensed teachers, Reunion Student Childcare Staff, and the Grinnell Community Early Learning Center to provide childcare options during Reunion for children ages 6 months to 12 years.
The Program
Children ages 6 months to 4 years are cared for at the Grinnell Community Early Learning Center, a 5 block walk or very short drive from campus. A shuttle is also available and dinner is included. This care is available for Friday and Saturday evenings, from 6 to 11 p.m., at the rate of $50 per child, and must be reserved in advance when you register for Reunion.
Childcare for children ages 5 to 12 years is offered on a drop-in basis in the Bear Recreation and Athletic Center Auxiliary Gym. Charges are determined by the time period, but you may check your child in and out at any time during each session. The morning childcare session is $15 per child and afternoon and evening childcare sessions are each $20 per child. Snacks will be available but meals are not included. Pre-registration is possible when you register for Reunion, but it is not required.
Drop-In Childcare Ages 5 to 12 years Open Hours
- Friday and Saturday Morning Childcare ($15), 9 a.m. to noon
- Friday and Saturday Afternoon Childcare ($20), 1 to 5 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday Evening Childcare ($20), 6 to 11 p.m.
Check-in and Pick-up details
Ages 6 months to 4 years
A shuttle will be provided from the main entrance of the Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center (JRC) to the Early Learning Center, but parents may also transport children to and from the location. The Early Learning Center is a 5-block walk or short drive from campus. Please notify the Help Desk or email reunionhelpdesk@grinnell.edu if you will be transporting your child. Please bring your child’s safety seat. The shuttle will NOT have child safety seats and will not transport children without the proper seat.
As the care providers are paid for the full time period, the $50 fee cannot be prorated for late drop-off or early pick-up.
Guardians check their children in at the shuttle pick-up or the Early Learning Center and bring a completed Early Learning Center medical/dental release form for their child. If you complete the medical/dental release form in advance of Reunion, please email the completed form to reunionhelpdesk@grinnell.edu.
Ages 5 to 12 years
Bring your child(ren) to the Auxiliary Gym in the Bear during the available hours, where you will meet with the Reunion childcare staff for check-in. You can make your payment by clicking on your registration confirmation email. In your child's registration platform, you will see the option for Friday Morning Childcare, Friday Afternoon Childcare, etc.
What to bring along
Ages 6 months to 4 years
If you have an infant or toddler who needs diapers, formula and/or baby food, you are expected to provide these supplies. If your child requires any medications during the weekend, there will be additional paperwork for you to fill out at the Early Learning Center. Please label all clothes and toys! Dinner is included.
Ages 5 to 12 years
Please bring your child's Reunion namebadge. If your child has favorite toys or preferred snacks, feel free to send them along. While we will not be serving meals during drop-in childcare, we will have snacks available.
We are not licensed to dispense medication to children. Medications should be given by guardians to children before, during, or after childcare.
More questions?
Ask the staff at the Registration Desk during Reunion weekend, email us at reunionhelpdesk@grinnell.edu, or call 866-850-1846 to speak with an alumni relations team member.