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Health, Safety & Work-Life Directorate

Office of Work-Life Programs -
Child Carechildren on a playground

Who is Eligible for this Program?
The Child Care Program is available to the following members of Team Coast Guard:

In addition, DoD military members and civilian federal employees are eligible on a space available basis.

Purpose of Program
The purpose of the Child Care Programs is to assist Coast Guard personnel in balancing the competing demands of family life and the accomplishment of the Coast Guard mission. This may be done through onsite Coast Guard Child Development Centers, Coast Guard certified Family Child Care Providers and referral to child care programs in the local community. DoD Child Development Centers and Child Care Subsidy program are available to Coast Guard active duty members only.

Program Confidentiality
Discussions of the information provided to enroll a child in a child care program or to certify a spouse to become an FCC provider are revealed only to persons with a need to know as defined in the privacy act statements that accompany the request for information.

Child development service providers are mandated reporters of suspected or substantiated child abuse. They are required to report such incidents to the Family Advocacy Specialist on the servicing Work-Life Staff and to the Child Protective Services agency.

All discussions between a person using the Child Care Program and the Family Resource Specialist, the Child Development Center Director, and the CDC staff members, and the Family Child Care Provider after a child is enrolled in a program are confidential, with the exceptions as indicated above.

Definitions
The following definitions apply to the Child Care Program:

Coast Guard-certified Family Child Care takes place in a home that is owned or leased by the Coast Guard for the family residence. A spouse may care for a maximum of six children. To become a certified provider, a spouse must have appropriate training and the home where child care is provided must undergo regular inspections.

Services and Resources Available
The following services and resources are available within the Child Care Program:

Services at Coast Guard Child Development Centers may be requested by contacting the Child Development Centers Contact List

Related Program Information
CHILD CARE CHECKLIST FOR PARENTS

This checklist is designed to assist and guide parents in evaluating child care arrangements for their children. While not all-inclusive, it does provide important items parents should consider before deciding who will care for their children. Parents still have the ultimate responsibility to make appropriate child care arrangements.

  1. Does the caregiver(s) appear warm and friendly? Are the children, including infants, spoken to in a manner encouraging language development?
  2. Does the caregiver(s) have child-rearing attitudes and methods similar to your own?
  3. Is there a planned program of activities appropriate for the age and development of the children? Do the children have the opportunity to make choices?
  4. Is there a variety of materials appropriate for the age and development of the children?
  5. Are parents encouraged to visit at any time and participate in the program when possible?
  6. Does the caregivers have child care training or experience?
  7. Are there enough caregivers to give adequate attention to all the children?
  8. If meals are served, are they balanced nutritionally? Are infants held during bottle feeding?
  9. Are matches, sharp knives, medicines, household cleaners, and other dangerous items stored out of children's reach?
  10. Do electrical outlets have safety caps?
  11. Are smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and a fully stocked first aid kit available?
  12. Are toys and equipment children use safe and in good condition?
  13. Is the facility clean and sanitary?
  14. Does the facility have an up-to-date license, if one is required? Is the family child care provider certified?
  15. Is the outdoor play area fenced and free of hazards and litter?
  16. Is the caregiver willing to supply references?
  17. Are emergency evacuation procedures posted and practiced regularly?
  18. Does the caregiver meet State requirements for general liability insurance? If there is no State requirement, does the caregiver have a minimum of $500,000 general liability coverage?

Program References
The following references provide details of the Child Care Program:

Related Web Sites
The following web sites provide information related to the Child Care Program:

Point of Contact
If you are unable to contact the Family Resource Specialist on your Regional Work-Life Staff, or need additional assistance beyond the information provided here, please contact the Headquarters Child Development Centers Program Manager, Ms. Marta Denchfield at (202) 475-5160 or by Email at Marta.E.Denchfield@uscg.mil

Last Modified 8/5/2008