Choosing child care may be one of the most important decisions you make. A work schedule that includes weekend duty, shifting schedules and late hours can present challenges. You can turn to the Department of Defense for quality, affordable child care options. These options — both on the installation and off — can put your mind at ease while you work.
The Department of Defense sets clear criteria for child care and uses a certification process that includes unannounced inspections to ensure installation programs meet high standards.
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Child care options on your installation
The following options are available on military installations:
- Child development centers typically accept children as young as 6 weeks and up to 5 years old. In most cases, these centers operate on a Monday through Friday year-round schedule. Hours vary. If you don't need full-time care, some centers offer part-time and hourly care. Cost is based on your total family income.
- Family child care homes, also known as child development homes, provide care for infants and children up to age 12. Providers use their homes to care for a small, often mixed-aged group of children. In addition to typical workday hours, family child care homes may also provide care on nights and weekends.
- School-age care programs for children from ages 6 to 12 provide care before and after school, on holidays and all day in the summer. These programs are typically located in youth centers or schools. The cost is based on total family income.
Though not considered child care, you can find youth programs for kids from ages 12 to 18 at your installation's youth center. Offerings vary among installations, but expect a mix of recreation and sports activities, and educational and youth development programs.
Child care off your installation
If you don't live close to your installation, or you are wait-listed for on-installation care, you may choose an off-installation option.
- Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood helps active-duty Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force families find and pay for community-based quality child care when installation programs are not an option. The Army offers a separate program called Army Fee Assistance.
- Operation: Military Child Care helps pay for child care when a service member is mobilized or deployed.
To learn more about these programs and to apply for fee assistance, visit Child Care Aware of America.
How to find child care
Contact your installation's child development center for information on its child care programs and options, or visit MilitaryINSTALLATIONS to access a directory of providers. This resource can be especially useful if you are moving and want to find out about child care options at your new installation. The following resources can also help:
- Installation Resource and Referral services can help you find a child care provider off the installation, if you're on a waiting list but have an immediate need. The service can assist you with information about child care options if you're overseas.
- Child Care Resource and Referral agencies are generally part of a statewide network of agencies that help working parents find child care. You can find the agency that serves your area by visiting Child Care Aware of America, or by calling 800-424-2246.
Whether you're looking for child care on or off the installation, knowing your options will help make your decision an easier one.