Child Care

As two-career families become the norm in our society, child care has become an important decision for many Foreign Service families. In the Washington area, because of the high number of single parent families and families in which both parents work, there is a great demand for good, affordable day care. Choice is complicated by the many types of day care available. Matching the appropriate setting with a child takes careful thought and often a fair amount of time. Overseas the availability of good day care centers varies greatly as does the quality and cost of caregivers in the home. Whether overseas or in Washington there are common concerns for parents.  Read more below and in Education Options for Foreign Service Families - Chapter 4 - Day Care.  

At Post

The Family Liaison Office publishes an annual Composite Child Care Report which gives a brief description of the resources available post by post. The information is provided by the posts and the report is invaluable for young families considering their next assignment. Copies of the report are sent to CLOs and to Administrative Officers at posts where there is no CLO. If you are bidding on a post and interested in child care information, please view the information on the FLO intranet web site. 

Some posts overseas have child care facilities.  Creating a Child Care Facility at Post is a publication for Management Officers, Community Liaison Office Coordinators, and other Foreign Service personnel to guide committees throught the process of creating a child care facility.

In the Washington, DC Area

Bring Your Nanny Home to the United States
For information on bringing a nanny or other domestic employee to the United States, contact your post's consular section or US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Child Care Facilities Near the Foreign Service Institute (FSI)
Contact FSI's Overseas Briefing Center for information on child care facilities near the Foreign Service Institute.

Department of State Child Care Facilities
Contact the Family Liaison Office for information on child care options at the U.S. Department of State.

Child Care Subsidy Program for Domestically-Employed DOS Employees
For working parents, nothing is more important than assurance that their children are safe when they can't be there. Finding affordable quality child care is a major concern to many parents. The Department recognizes this dilemma and has made a commitment to offer the Child Care Subsidy Program within the realities of available funding.  If you meet State's eligibility criteria below, your child care costs may be reduced. As a need-based program, the amount you receive depends on your total family income and the amount you pay for child care. To qualify for the subsidy you must:

• Be a Domestically-Employed Department of State employee (part-time employees are eligible)
• Have a total family income of $68,000 or less
• Place your child in a licensed day care, home care or after care program.

Please note that the subsidy is not available to DOS employees currently serving at an embassy or consulate overseas. For more information and application procedures, contact HR/ER/WLP at CCSP@state.gov or by calling (202) 663-1688.

Extended Day Care in Public Schools
Education Options - Chapter 7 - Child Care Before and After School
Assignment Washington: U.S. Public Schools for a listing of Washington, DC area public school systems and links to Extended Day Programs

IQ: Information Quest (formerly LifeCare)
IQ: Information Quest is the Department of State's information, resource and referral service for dependent care, personal health and well-being. All permanent Department of State employees and their family members are eligible to use the service. For child care referral information, contact IQ: Information Quest at tel: 800-222-0364, or visit IQ: Information Quest on the Internet at http://www.worklife4you.com. For log in information, check with your HR representative. Employees and family members of other agencies may also have access to LifeCare services.  Check with your HR Officer for details.

Other Resources

• Government child care information
• Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments - Child care information from the Department of Human Services, Planning, and Public Safety
• Our Kids - Website with links to child care information for Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. 

FLO Weblinks for Transition Issues and the Foreign Service Child

• Transition Issues and the Foreign Service Child
• Child Care
• Foreign Service Youth Foundation
• Talking with Youth About War, Crisis and Natural Disasters
• Third Culture Kids

Information provided by the Family Liaison Office
Contact the Family Liaison Office