According to annual research collected, performed, and analyzed by Blue Star Families, one of the top three stressors for active-duty families is military spouse employment. One of the biggest challenges to military spouse employment is adequate childcare. Military bases are usually located in remote areas or areas that are highly populated, like San Diego and Washington D.C., which adds an extra challenge to finding safe, affordable childcare.
While there are Child Development Centers (CDC) at each military post, most are small, understaffed, and unable to accommodate the true need for childcare. In addition, CDCs prioritize who gets a coveted spot, with dual military first and two working parents second. Those new to a military base looking for work are left waiting. Families often put their name on a CDC list months prior to a baby being born, to be called when the child is two, and now the spouse has been unable to have consistent work for those two years or longer.
The In-Home Child Care pilot has been expanded and is now called the Child Care in Your Home program. The program provides fee assistance for full-time, in-home childcare providers. The program once covered five areas but now includes 11 locations.
These locations include:
-Colorado Springs, CO
-Seattle/Tacoma, WA
-Jacksonville/Mayport, FL
-Fort Walton Beach, FL
-Fayetteville, NC
-Las Vegas, NV
-National Capital Region
-Hawaii
-San Diego, CA
-Norfolk, VA
-San Antonio, TX
The program covers a minimum of 30 hours to a maximum of 60 hours in a week.
The Child Care Aware program is a separate program that provides fee assistance for service members to use community-based care facilities. Families apply for the assistance program per their military branch on the website above. The amount of assistance is based on the military branch and service member’s rank.
The MilitaryChildCare.com resource is a DOD website providing information on military-operated and military-approved childcare programs worldwide. This may provide insight into programs available before a move or a child’s birth.
Military One Source has a free online database to find hourly, flexible, and on-demand childcare. To utilize this resource, sign into your Military One Source account, and you will be given a unique member code to use on the child care service page.
What have been your findings if you have used any of the child care programs to find child care in your area?
Afternoon, I am a in home daycare located near Mayport Naval Station. Also ex military wife (20years )
Is there away to be add to a list of daycare with availability..Thanks in Advance