Family Child Care McChord Field

Loving, professional child care provided in on- or off-base homes.

Location:		Hours of Operation:
Family Child Care, Bldg. 560, Phone: 253-982-3186, Fax: 253-3363		Mon. - Fri. 6 a.m. - noon

Recruiting:

The Family Child Care Program is recruiting spouses of Air Force active duty, retired military, separated personnel and DoD civilians to become licensed (reside on base) or affiliated (reside off base) FCC providers. Benefits include extensive training, free use of equipment from the FCC resource center, gaining hands on experience running your own business, taking care of your children while providing a much needed community service, and having the opportunity to grow professionally with the goal of becoming accredited.

McChord Family Child Care Providers are needed to meet the current and changing needs of authorized program users. Residents living in government quarters must be Air Force licensed if they are watching children in their home more than ten hours per week on a regular basis. Orientation classes are offered every other month. To register for the prebrief session, please contact FCC at 253-982-3186.

Programs:

The Family Child Care program provides home-based care on a drop-in/hourly, part-day or full-day basis. Types of care offered include: infant, toddler, preschool, school age, hourly, shift (swings, mids, and 12 hour), evenings, weekends, overnight, TDY, permanent change of station, volunteer, special needs, subsidy, providers willing to transport, Extended Duty and Returning Home Care. If you are in need of child care services, please pick up a FCC provider referral list from outside the FCC office door to building 560 anytime and contact the providers the list. If you need additional assistance please call FCC at 253-982-3186 or stop by between 1100 and noon Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

Extended Duty Child Care

Extended Duty Care (EDC) Extended Duty Care is free and may be used by active duty military or DoD civilians who experience temporary mission-related extended workdays beyond their 50 hours of full time care. Spouses of deployed or TDY members experiencing child care emergencies created in part by the absence of their spouse, national guard and reservists performing weekend duty or two week duty, and active duty or DoD civilians needing a few days to find permanent child care arrangements may also use EDC. To request EDC, obtain written verification from your supervisor. Call the FCC office for more information.

Returning Home Care

Returning Home Care (RHC) Provides up to 16 hours of free child care in FCC home when airman returns from deployment or a TDY longer than 30 days. To request RHC, obtain written verification from your supervisor. Call the FCC office for more information.

Subsidy Program

FCC providers who choose to participate in the subsidy program are contracted to provide affordable child care spaces based on total family income. Eligible participants include children needing full time care (35-50 hours per week on a continuous basis) who are on the CDC or SAC waiting lists.

Permanent Change of Station Care

Up to 20 hours of free child care (per child) to be used in an Air Force licensed or affiliated home within 60 days of the family’s arrival or departure from McChord AFB. Pick up one certificate per child from the McChord Airman and Family Readiness Center (bldg 552) after showing orders and then schedule care with an FCC provider from the referral list.

Volunteer Care

Air Force Aid Society pays child care expenses for volunteers (family members assigned to McChord) who are engaged in supporting base programs which benefit the Air Force community. Please contact FCC or AFRC at 253-982-2695.

Eligibility

Children ages 2 weeks through 12 years of any active duty personnel, retired military members and DOD civilians employed on McChord AFB or individuals possessing a valid identification card (i.e. have base access) are eligible for FCC care. Please refer to the information listed above as to who is eligible to use free child care services.

Alternative Child Care

If you work other than 8 a.m. to 5 pm weekdays or have a child with special needs, there's an FCC home option for you for hourly, shift-work, evening, weekend and special needs care. Call the FCC Office or pick up an FCC provider list for current openings.

Parent Advisory Board Meeting

Attention Parents of children who attend the Child Development Center, School Age Program and/or Family Child Care Program: The Parent Advisory Board is recruiting parents to become representatives and attend meetings. We’re also recruiting to fill key positions, such as President, Vice President & Secretary. If you’re interested, please call the FCC Coordinator at 253-982-3186.

Admission Requirements

The child's parent or legal guardian must present a valid military identification card, provide the child's current immunization records and complete all required forms.

Fees

The fees and charges are negotiated between the provider and parents.

Curriculum

Home environments are nurturing to ensure your child receives needed attention and support while in Family Child Care. FCC adheres to developmentally appropriate practices with posted curriculum. Providers schedule activities to enhance the child's social, emotional, physical and cognitive development.