Childcare for Military Families: Complete Guide 2026

Military families face unique childcare challenges—frequent moves, deployments, unpredictable schedules, and being far from extended family support. The good news is that the military offers extensive childcare resources specifically designed for service members and their families. Understanding these options can significantly ease the burden of finding quality care.

This guide covers military childcare programs, how to access them, and strategies for managing childcare through the unique challenges of military life.

Military Childcare Overview

Why Military Childcare Is Different

Unique needs:

• Frequent relocations (PCS moves)
• Deployment and TDY absences
• Irregular and extended work hours
• Distance from family support
• Single parents during deployment
• Financial considerations on military pay

Military response:

• Dedicated childcare system
• Priority for mission-essential care
• Fee assistance programs
• Extended hours options
• Consistent quality across installations

Who Is Eligible

Eligible families:

• Active duty service members
• Activated Reserve and Guard
• DoD civilian employees
• Contractors (some programs)
• Medal of Honor recipients

Priority categories:

• Typically: combat-related wounded warriors
• Single/dual military parents
• Work or school requirements
• Other categories by installation

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Types of Military Childcare

Child Development Centers (CDCs)

What they are:

• Installation-based childcare centers
• Run by DoD
• Nationally accredited
• Full-time and hourly care
• Ages 6 weeks to 5 years typically

Characteristics:

• Professional staff
• Accredited programs
• Income-based fees
• Consistent across installations
• Waiting lists common

Finding CDCs:

• MilitaryChildCare.com
• Installation family services
• Unit resource coordinators

Family Child Care (FCC)

What it is:

• Home-based care in military housing
• Certified by installation
• Provider is often military spouse
• Smaller group size

Benefits:

• More flexible hours
• Home environment
• Potentially shorter waitlists
• May accommodate non-traditional hours
• Often accepts infants

Considerations:

• Single provider (less backup)
• Quality varies
• May have limited openings
• Provider could PCS

School-Age Care (SAC)

For school-age children:

• Before and after school care
• Summer programs
• Holiday care
• Installation-based

Youth Programs

For older children:

• Youth centers
• Sports programs
• Summer camps
• Teen programs

| Program | Ages | Location | Hours | |---------|------|----------|-------| | CDC | 6wks-5yrs | Installation center | Full-time/hourly | | FCC | 6wks-12yrs | Provider's home | Often flexible | | SAC | 5-12 years | Installation | Before/after school | | Youth | Varies | Youth center | Varies |

Accessing Military Childcare

MilitaryChildCare.com

The centralized system:

• Single request system for DoD childcare
• Request care at any installation
• Track waitlist status
• Manage requests

How to use:

1. Create account
2. Complete child profile
3. Request care at desired locations
4. Monitor status
5. Accept offers

Waitlists

Reality of military childcare:

• Waitlists are common
• Can be months long
• Plan ahead before PCS
• Get on list early in pregnancy

Tips:

• Request care before PCS
• List multiple options
• Consider FCC along with CDC
• Follow up regularly
• Understand priority categories

Priority Categories

Common priority order:

1. Combat-related wounded warriors
2. Single military parents
3. Dual military couples
4. Mission-essential employees
5. Other working families

Check your installation:

• Priorities may vary
• Ask about your category
• Understand the system

Military Childcare Fees

Income-Based Fees

How it works:

• Fees based on total family income
• Lower income = lower fees
• Same across all DoD installations
• Published fee schedules

Typical ranges:

• May start around $300/month for lowest income
• Increase with income
• Maximum caps exist
• Still often below civilian rates

Fee Assistance Programs

Child Care Fee Assistance:

• Additional help for eligible families
• Income-based
• Reduces out-of-pocket costs
• Apply through installation

Other assistance:

• Respite care during deployment
• Exceptional family member support
• State childcare assistance (may apply)

PCS Moves and Childcare

Before You Move

Planning ahead:

• Request care at new installation ASAP
• Get on waitlist before orders
• Research off-installation options
• Understand new installation's system

What to ask at new duty station:

• Waitlist length
• Available programs
• FCC options
• Off-post care near installation
• Local resources

Transitioning Care

Steps:

• Notify current provider of departure
• Secure care at new location
• Prepare child for transition
• Gather records (immunizations, etc.)
• Plan for gap between arrival and care availability

When Care Isn't Available

Temporary solutions:

• FCC may have openings
• Off-installation care
• Military spouse networking
• Fee assistance for civilian care
• Family support if possible

Deployment and Childcare

Care Plan Requirements

Family Care Plan:

• Required for single/dual military parents
• Designates caregiver during deployment
• Legal documents needed
• Must be current and complete

Components:

• Designated caregiver
• Powers of attorney
• Financial arrangements
• Medical authorization
• School enrollment

Respite Care

During deployment:

• Free hourly care for remaining parent
• Gives breaks to at-home parent
• Available at CDCs and FCC
• Limited hours per month

Supporting Children During Deployment

Resources available:

• Military OneSource
• Family readiness programs
• School liaison officers
• Counseling services
• Support groups

Irregular Hours and Childcare

Extended Hour Care

Some installations offer:

• Extended CDC hours
• FCC with flexible hours
• Arrangements for shift workers

Finding extended hour care:

• Ask installation about options
• FCC often more flexible
• May need to combine arrangements

24-Hour Care Needs

For mission requirements:

• Some installations have 24-hour care
• May require special approval
• FCC providers may offer overnight
• Limited availability

TDY and Training

Short-term care needs:

• Extended day care
• Temporary full-time if usually part-time
• Communicate with provider
• Plan ahead when possible

Off-Installation Options

Civilian Childcare

When to consider:

• Waitlist too long
• Location more convenient
• Specific program desired
• Hours don't match

Using fee assistance:

• May be able to use military fee assistance
• Check with installation
• Must be certified provider usually
• Helps offset costs

Finding Quality Off-Post Care

Resources:

• Child Care Aware of America
• Installation referral services
• Local CCR&R agencies
• Military spouse networks

Vetting Civilian Providers

Same due diligence:

• Licensing verification
• Visit and tour
• Check references
• Assess quality
• Understand costs and policies

Special Circumstances

Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)

For children with special needs:

• Respite care
• Specialized services
• Assignment coordination
• Additional support resources

Wounded Warrior Families

Priority status:

• Top priority for childcare
• Additional support services
• Respite care
• Counseling resources

Guard and Reserve

When activated:

• Eligible for military childcare
• May use installation facilities
• Check specific eligibility
• Different from active duty access

Support Resources

Military OneSource

Free support:

• 24/7 assistance
• Childcare resources
• Counseling services
• Information and referrals
• www.militaryonesource.mil

Installation Family Services

On-installation help:

• Childcare coordinators
• Family readiness
• Deployment support
• Resource referrals

Child Care Aware of America

Military programs:

• Fee assistance administration
• Provider searches
• Resources and information
• 1-800-424-2246

Key Takeaways

Know your options:

• CDCs on installation
• FCC home-based care
• School-age care programs
• Off-installation with assistance

Access the system:

• Use MilitaryChildCare.com
• Get on waitlists early
• Understand priority categories
• Explore all options

Plan for transitions:

• PCS planning critical
• Request care before moving
• Prepare for potential gaps
• Have backup plans

Use available support:

• Fee assistance programs
• Respite care during deployment
• Military OneSource
• Installation resources

Address unique needs:

• Extended hours availability
• Deployment care plans
• EFMP support if applicable
• Flexibility for military life

Military families deserve quality childcare that understands and supports their unique challenges. By knowing your options and planning ahead, you can navigate the military childcare system successfully.

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