Emergency
Childcare.
A meeting runs late. A sitter cancels. Something urgent comes up. When those moments happen, Mercy Nest Childcare is here for your family.
A meeting runs late. School closes unexpectedly. A sitter cancels. A family emergency comes up.
When those moments happen, Mercy Nest Childcare is here for your family.
At Mercy Nest, children receive the same nurturing, relationship-centered care we provide every day, whether they're enrolled regularly, attending for a few hours, or joining us unexpectedly.
Flexible care when you need it.
Need childcare for a few hours, a full day, school closures, appointments, errands, self-care, or occasional support?
Our Drop-In Care option provides flexible childcare without a regular enrollment commitment.
Drop-In Care is available only when:
- Capacity permits
- Staffing permits
- Maryland licensing ratios permit
Because we maintain small group sizes and prioritize safety, drop-in availability cannot be guaranteed and must be confirmed in advance.
Because life happens.
Our Emergency Care service is designed for situations that arise with little notice.
Emergency Care refers to care requested with less than 24 hours' notice.
When available, we'll do our best to accommodate your family while maintaining safe staffing and licensing requirements.
Examples may include:
- Last-minute work obligations
- Unexpected meetings
- Sitter cancellations
- Family emergencies
- Temporary childcare disruptions
How it works.
Call or text us
Contact us at (301) 337-0478 to check same-day or upcoming availability.
Tell us what you need
Let us know:
- Your child's age
- Requested hours
- Whether care is Drop-In or Emergency Care
We'll confirm availability and next steps.
Bring your child's essentials
Please provide:
- Meals and snacks
- Diapers and wipes (if needed)
- Change of clothes
- Comfort items
- Any required medications
We'll take it from there.
Registration is required.
To ensure every child receives safe, quality care, children must be registered before attending Drop-In or Emergency Care.
This helps us:
- Maintain proper caregiver-to-child ratios
- Meet Maryland licensing requirements
- Understand your child's needs, allergies, and emergency contacts
- Welcome your child smoothly when care is needed
Complete registration one time and your child will be eligible for future Drop-In and Emergency Care opportunities whenever space is available.
Availability notice.
Drop-In and Emergency Care are not guaranteed services and are offered only when:
- Capacity permits
- Staffing permits
- Licensing ratios permit
Mercy Nest reserves the right to decline requests when availability is limited or accepting additional children would impact the quality of care provided.
"Peace of mind is one phone call away."
Having a childcare backup plan means one less thing to worry about when the unexpected happens.
Register today so you're prepared before you need us.
Mercy Nest ChildcareRegister now,
just in case.
You never know when you'll need a backup plan. Get registered today.
Register for Drop-In & Emergency Care