News

Offutt childcare is just a click away

  • Published
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs

A new website was launched March 16 that will make finding childcare much easier and convenient than in the past.

 

The website, www.MilitaryChildCare.com, will allow parents to gather information, find facilities and even put your child on the waiting list at the base before your Permanent Change of Station. It will also make it easier for parents and the facilities to keep each other updated on their current contact information.

 

“We understand the importance of quality childcare and have always worked hard to provide each parent and child with the best care available,” said Jennifer Andrade, Child Development Center 2. “We want the service members to know that their children are our first priority and getting their information in a timelier manner will help us identify their needs.”

 

The Department of Defense Child Development Programs, which includes Child Development Centers, School Age Care Programs and Family Child Care/Child Development Homes, have developed the program based on the following age groups:

 

  • Infant: four weeks through 12 months

  • Pretoddler: 13 through 23 months

  • Toddler:  24 through 35 months

  • Preschool:  3 through 5 years (or before entering kindergarten)

  • School Age:  6 through 12 years old, or attending kindergarten through sixth grade and enrolled in a SAC program

 

Some children may require more than basic care, such as children with or who are at-risk of disabilities, chronic illnesses or physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional conditions. MilitaryChildCare.com assists families with children with special needs in their search for care through a process that includes an Inclusion Action Team and military service specific IAT protocols. The IAT process supports reasonable accommodation by considering the needs of the child, the child care environment, staffing and training requirements, and the resources of the program. Programs welcome the opportunity to discuss each family's needs throughout your search process.

 

Eligibility for child care is based on the status of the sponsor. Eligible patrons include active duty military, DoD civilians, Reservists on active duty assignment, combat-related wounded warriors, surviving spouses, those acting as legal guardians for the dependent child of an otherwise eligible patron, eligible employees of DoD contractors, and others authorized on a space available basis. The priority structure for DoD eligible military family types is outlined in the Department of Defense Instruction 6060.02, dated August 2014.

 

When creating an account, you are required to acknowledge you are eligible for DoD child care services. Eligibility will be verified by your respective Child and Youth Program after an offer is accepted and prior to officially enrolling your child in the program. The eligibility verification process and required documentation, including employment verification, varies by installation. Note that 24/7 programs have unique eligibility requirements.

 

Each branch of service issues fee guidelines for CDC and SAC programs based on DoD fee guidance. Fees are based on Total Family Income and apply to all children who attend the program on a regular basis. For more information on fees, contact the program directly.

“The website is definitely a great tool to assist service members find quality childcare during the PCS process,” Andrade said. “Patrons can create an account, search and request care, manage care requests and even keep your profile up-to-date, all from the comfort of your home.”

“The website is not only for those PCSing,” she added. “Current patrons will find the website extremely useful in updating information or even changing programs as the child ages or as the service member’s job changes.”

MilitaryChildCare.com is being released in phases with the end goal of it being used for all military branches of service. For more information, visit www.militarychildcare.com or contact your locations Child Development Program.