Emergency Day Care

WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- Thanks to the weather, some students enjoyed a day off school. But that doesn't mean their parents got to skip work. Like healthcare and vacation time, many companies are offering backup daycare.

Bright Horizons in Northwest DC offers emergency and back-up child care. The company has several locations in DC, Virginia, and Maryland.

"It provides coverage on days when things like schools are closed or when daycares are closed. Or when your care otherwise couldn't make it," said Kevin O'Neil, an attorney. He dropped off his young son early this morning.

"Usually, it's a conversation between me and my husband, and it's never an easy one. You have to look at your schedule and it's just a lot of pressure," said Caroline Galdabini, a banker.

"This is their backup. This is their safety net," said Joan Stapleton with Bright Horizons. "They can make a reservation 30 days in advance or they can call up the evening before or even that morning. So we're very busy answering the phones every morning."

Stapleton said companies pay for a membership every year, and their employees get to use the service for free, or for a $10 or $15 co-pay.

"They appreciate their employer giving them this benefit and it certainly will help with retention and recruitment and certainly productivity throughout the day," she said.

"I think it is an incredible benefit. We get up to 20 days a year to bring in our kids," said Mara Glaser-McCahan, an attorney. She's leaving her 7-month old son Declan here for the first time.

"I've tried doing the work at home with the baby, and you don't get a whole lot of work done," she said.

According to a study done by Bright Horizons, six out of every 10 employees miss work at one time or another, because they have no one to watch their kids. The center does not take sick kids.