Why Child Development Homes?
To ensure a safe, healthy environment for children in a home child care setting.
To increase the availability of child care for military families.
To encourage and assist Child Development Home providers to operate a quality, nurturing program for children.
To allow parents to perform their military duties without undue concern about the health and welfare of their child/children.
Career Opportunities as a Child Development Home Provider
On or off-base, the Child Development Home (CDH) profession offers providers the opportunity to work in their own home and watch their own children grow and develop while, at the same time, caring for children of military families and earning an additional income.
CDHs provide a warm, family setting in which children can participate in developmentally appropriate learning activities, as well as home-life experiences. The children are able to build a trusting relationship with a provider who will foster their curiosity and creativity, provide guidance and give them the hugs they need.
A Little About Child Development Homes
CDHs assist parents by providing child care services to support operational readiness, mission accomplishment and retention. CDHs are an alternative to center-based care and is often preferred by families because of the small group sizes, the home-like atmosphere and the flexible hours of operation that other centers often cannot accommodate. Anyone who lives in military housing and wishes to provide child care on a regular basis for more than 10 hours a week must be certified by the Navy as a CDH provider. Anyone off base must be state licensed, but can provide Navy child care by becoming Navy certified.
Why Become a Child Development Home Provider?
Independent Work Environment
- You work for yourself, in your own home.
Flexibility
- Set your own hours and select the age group of children that best suits you and your family.
Income
- Being a CDH provider is a great source of income while saving you the expense of child care.
USDA Child Care Food Program
Benefits
- Toy and equipment lending library.
- Low cost liability insurance.
- On-site assistance and advice.
- Free monthly training.
- Free promotion, advertising and referrals.
- Direct cash subsidies at some locations.
Transferable
- Wherever a Navy move may take you, you will have skills in high demand... caring for children!
- Certification is transferable, whether you live in Navy housing or off-base.
Education and Training
- Enhance your child rearing skills.
- CPR / First Aid training.
- Child Development / Early Childhood Education
- Receive college credit for Navy training.
- Participate in Military Home Accreditation program.
For additional information on the Child Development Home (CDH) program at Naval Station Mayport, call (904) 270-6961
