Providing Child Care in Federal Buildings
Serving Federal Employee Families Nationwide for 20 years - GSA's child care program allows families of federal employees to receive quality care where they work. Over 110 centers are located in 32 states the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Over all program guidance and standards are prioritized in formal licensing agreements.
Providing Quality Accredited Care - All centers operating in GSA managed space are required to achieve accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Academy for Early Childhood Program Accreditation (a nongovernment web site)through its early childhood accreditation system. Some of the factor considered in this process included the healthy and safe environments, staffing, curriculum, and administration of programs.
Managed by the Best in National and Local Providers - GSA oversees a network of private child care providers. This network consists of both for profit and not-for-profit organizations which that include both nationally recognized providers as well as small independent organizations.
Offering Market Driven Fee Based Care - Costs in GSA centers are determined by local market rates and tuition fees vary by geographical location, services offered, operating hours, the center's size and other factors. Most federal agencies do not subsidize the cost of child care rather the operating expenses are paid by fees are assessed to parents.
Tuition Assistance - Tuition assistance meets the critical need of providing child care that is unaffordable for many families. Every center offers some form of tuition assistance and federal agencies have the authority to offer subsidies directly to eligible employees to help pay their fees.
Partners in the Community - While the serving federal families is the GSA's priority, there are spaces are available to communities. Many centers have agreements with head start and public schools for pre- and kindergarten programs.
Supporting the Military - GSA has partnered with the Army to provide care for active duty, Reserves, National Guard, MEPS, Recruiters, and ROTC families where they don't have access to base child care. Coast Guard families and the Army Corps of Engineers are also provided a subsidy and priority in the centers.
What's New - Eco-Healthy Child Care. GSA has partnered with the Oregon Environmental Council (OEC) (a nongovernment website) to provide centers that minimize exposure to toxic materials and other environmental health hazards. Child care facilities qualify as “Eco-Healthy” by completing the checklist on its website. The checklist has 25 items that ensure safe places for children.
Last Reviewed 5/6/2009