For student parents at Berkeley, there are a number of services and programs available.

Student Parent Grant here – typically due end of June, up to $12,000 ($6,000 per semester) for those that are financially eligible. 

Consult the Student FamilyAssistance for more information or grant information. 

Housing

There are 2 sites of 'student family housing' (which means both undergraduates and graduates, along with post-docs and some faculty). The larger site is in the city of Albany, just north of Berkeley, and is named "UC Village". The smaller site is "Smythe-Fernwald" and is located in the hills south-east of campus in Berkeley. You can find more information here:

http://grad.berkeley.edu/financial/student_family.shtml

As a student parent (once an undergrad with infants) and a long-time resident of UC Village, I highly recommend student-parent housing. Your  neighbors will have collective experience with all things parenting and UC. Plus, you will have a supportive place to raise your children. They will make lots of friends and you can easily arrange things like babysitting co-ops or baby study groups. Spouses and domestic partners also find a lot of support in resident housing. There are many programs run by the community center in the Village, such as American 101, Mommy Tea & Me, Single Parents Group, and so on. There are also Village festivals, recreation classes with discounts for Village residents and more.

Childcare

Student, post-doc, and faculty parents can also register for childcare through UC Childcare (Early Childhood Education Program). They offer facilities that care for children from infant-school age. Over the program's history they have offered various packages of financial aid for childcare services. See more information here:

http://grad.berkeley.edu/financial/student_family.shtml

Child Care Reimbursement for GSIs, Readers, and Tutors also known as ASEs:

Childcare reimbursement in the contract for eligible Academic Student Employees (ASEs), pursuant to Article 4 of the UAW contract. The current contract allows each eligible ASE to claim up to $1,650 per semester for expenses incurred during the ASE's appointment period and within the regular academic terms (Fall and Spring semesters). Each eligible ASE can also claim up to a total of $1,100.00 for expenses incurred during his or her Summer Session appointment(s). You must complete and sign a Reimbursement Form (UBEN 254).

Child Care Reimbursement for Graduate Student Researchers GSRs

Reimbursement for child care expenses, up to specified limits, is available to eligible Graduate Student Researchers with preschool dependent children  and a 25% or more GSR appointment during the semester or summer session. Reimbursement requests should be submitted no later than the first day of the semester following the term for which the claim is filed. For more information, see the GSR Childcare Reimbursement Form (PDF).

They also have backup childcare available. You will want to apply to the program before you need the backup childcare to make sure you are accepted. 

Healthcare

Now available to the dependents of students. See more information here:

http://uhs.berkeley.edu/students/insurance/families.shtml

If you are having a baby and GSIing

you are entitled under our union to paid leave!! The birthing parent is entitled to 6 weeks paid leave, plus you can take an additional 3 short term leave days, while the non-birthing parent is entitled to 4 weeks paid leave (plus the 3 short term leave days). All you have to do is write to your supervisor and tell them which dates you will be taking leave on, ideally giving them at least 30 days advance notice. Check out the details on the Union website, Article 17. https://www.uaw2865.org/resources/current-uaw-contract/#seventeen

There are policies that support new parenthood (official leave policies for academic appointments + extension of 'normative time') and breastfeeding (there are a number of lactation rooms on campus). See this flyer for more information:

http://grad.berkeley.edu/publications/pdf/parents_guide.pdf

School Age Children

If you have School age children, you will be able to register your child in the school district in which you live. These district boundaries are typically coincident with the city boundaries: El Cerrito (West Contra Costa County), Albany, Berkeley, and Oakland. Each school district has their own criteria and method for placing children into schools. You should investigate your own school district to understand better how that system works. For example, Berkeley uses a 'busing' program to mix the population within the city across the schools. Albany tends to place children based on preference and proximity.

After School Programs 

Many schools offer on-site after-school care. You can also find private or city-run after-school programs that will pick up your child at dismissal. Once you know what district you will be in and which school your child will attend, you can find out more about after-school care from the school, the district, the city recreation program, UC Childcare, or from parent networks like "Berkeley parents network". 

Other resources

BerkeleyParents Network: A parent-to-parent email network for the community of parents in the Berkeley area.

BananasChildcare Information and Referral Service: A parent-friendly community organization with lots of information on childcare referrals and other parenting issues.