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Family Child Care Homes Provide Options for Army Families

By Chet Curtis, Directorate of Prevention, Resilience and ReadinessJanuary 10, 2025

Family Child Care Homes
The increasing number of Family Child Care program homes is providing Army Families with additional affordable and flexible child care options that accommodate their work schedules and professional commitments. (Photo Credit: (U.S. Army photo)) VIEW ORIGINAL

The number of Family Child Care program homes is growing, giving Army Families more options for affordable and flexible child care to support their work schedules and careers.

As of Oct. 31, there were 194 FCC homes available Army-wide, and interest (as expressed by application downloads) in becoming an FCC provider has grown to over 200 candidates. This number is an increase from 148 FCC homes one year ago. As part of the Child, Youth and School Services continuum of child care options, FCC offers full-day, part-day and hourly care in a safe, cost-effective way to meet the mission needs of those with atypical or extended child care hours, those who desire smaller group sizes or a home environment, or those who are experiencing long waiting lists for center-based care. The FCC homes program is also able to assist Soldiers who need 24/7 child care while providing their children with a home-based setting for those extended hours.

Why the growing interest?

The FCC program offers the opportunity for a portable profession that can move with your sponsor’s career as you make a PCS. “It’s a means of building a resume, earning additional income, starting a business and receiving additional training paid for by the Army. It’s also portable as you transfer to other posts and units,” said Donna Garfield, chief of the Child, Youth and School Services division at the Army Directorate of Prevention, Resilience and Readiness. The FCC provider transfer process assists with expediting and streamlining the transition of FCC providers from one garrison to the next during the PCS process, allowing them to continue their career as they transition. A relocation bonus of up to $1,000 is provided to FCC providers who successfully relocate their home business to a new installation. FCC also offers a one-time recruitment bonus of up to $1,000 to FCC providers who successfully open their homes. Providers receive these payments over a 12-month period.

Providers can take care of up to six children and receive income from parent fees as well as from centrally funded FCC subsidy payments. Family fee assistance supplements reimburse FCC providers the difference between the Army Child and Youth Services assigned parent fee and the specified provider rate cap. The monthly rate caps for full-time children in each status are:

  • $1,200 per child for provisional certification
  • $1,400 per child for full certification 
  • $1,600 per child after 18 months of full certification
  • $1,800 per child for nationally accredited providers

For Army Families, FCC offers a 15% cost savings compared with Child Development Centers and School Age Care fees.

FCC providers are vetted, and only the most-qualified candidates are recommended for certification. Providers must complete background checks and regular home inspections as part of certification. They also receive paid ongoing training for professional development.

Army policy requires anyone who regularly provides care for more than 10 hours per week to be certified through their installation Child and Youth Services as an FCC provider. Unauthorized child care by an uncertified provider can put children at risk. Providing unauthorized child care in government owned/leased housing could result in the loss of housing privileges. Due to installation missions, FCC may not be available at all locations.

For more information on how to register your children in the FCC program, visit militarychildcare.com.

Families interested in becoming FCC providers should complete the form on militarychildcare.com or contact their garrison’s CYS Parent Central Services office for information on attending an FCC orientation.