How to Get Started

What do families need to do?

The registration process is easy and only takes four steps:

1. Create an account at MilitaryChildCare.com. This will allow parents to take full advantage of the available benefits.
2. Search and request care. Parents will find information on facility-based or in-home childcare options and may select one or more options. The program will contact requesters when space becomes available.
3. Manage requests from anywhere in the world – parents can change requests, change the date care is needed, and cancel requests that are no longer needed.
4. Update household information at any time – especially email and telephone numbers so that when an offer is made, parents can be reached quickly.

Do I need to create an account to search for care?

No. You can search for and view information about programs without creating an account. However, you will not be able to request care.

What can I do to get the care I need when I need it?

To get the care you need, begin your search and submit your requests as soon as possible. When searching for care, review the Anticipated Placement Time APT estimates and submit requests for care at programs with an APT that most closely meets your family's needs. Since APT estimates may change, review all your options and submit requests to both facility- and home-based programs. For example, there may be another child development center or in-home provider Family Child Care/Child Development Home with a shorter placement time. You are also encouraged to submit multiple requests for the same child on the same Request for Care RFC date. Use the map feature to determine if program locations are within your preferred geographic area.

If my child is not born or yet to be adopted, what are my next steps?

When creating your account, enter the projected date of birth or adoption. After the birth or adoption, return to your household profile to update the actual date of birth and/or child's name.

Child Care Eligibility

Eligibility for child care is based on the status of the custodial sponsor. Eligible patrons include active duty military personnel, DoD civilian employees, Reserve Component military personnel on active duty or inactive duty training status, combat-related wounded warriors, surviving spouses of Military members who died from a combat-related incident, those acting in loco parentis for the dependent child of an otherwise eligible patron, eligible employees of DoD contractors, and others authorized on a space available basis. When creating an account, you are required to acknowledge that you are eligible for DoD child care services. Eligibility will be verified after an offer is accepted and prior to officially enrolling your child in the program. The eligibility verification process and required documentation vary by installation.

Eligibility & Priority System Policy →
Policy Clarification for Priority 1 Access to DoD Child Development Programs →

Child Care Fees for 2024

Fees for our programs are determined by DODINST 6060 and are based on Total Family Income (TFI). Fees may be paid monthly or on military paydays.

A 20% discount is available for additional children in the same family.

There is no cost for our Youth & Teen Program.

Total Family Income (TFI)

Total Family Income (TFI) is defined as all earned income including wages, salaries, tips, long-term disability benefits, voluntary salary deferrals, quarters allowances, and subsistence received by any adults, married or not, residing together as one economic unit and sharing living expenses toward the benefit of the children in residence.
 

* All DoD contractors and specified space available patrons will pay the unsubsidized Category IXA contractor child care fee; therefore, TFI will not be required. Specified space available patrons include military retirees and other federal employees in all categories.

TFI does not include cost of living allowance (COLA) received in high cost areas, alimony or child support, temporary duty allowances or reimbursement for education expenses, veteran's benefits, worker's compensation benefits, or unemployment compensation (insurance).

DD Form 2652 must be used in determining TFI. All earned income, as well as minimum BAH and BAS will be added to determine TFI. Income will be verified from the military sponsor's most recent leave and earning statement and/or pay stub, earning statement or W-2 for military spouses or non-military personnel.

In case of divorced or legally separated parents, the sponsor must have custody of the child and the child must reside with the sponsor. Income of the sponsor's household must be provided.

Fees are reviewed annually. At the time of the fee review, each parent is required to sign an agreement which states that the fees will be in effect through the contracted year.

All information provided will be kept confidential.

Child Development Centers

(Fee Paid on the 1st & 15th)

Family Child Care

*Contractors and Specified Space Available patrons will enter into private pay agreements with the provider regarding fees.

School-Age Care

(Fee Paid on 1st & 15th)

Note: School-Age Care 1st & 15th rates are based on the number of hours of care offered per week and include camps during the school year.

School-Age Summer Camps

(Weekly Rates)

Hourly Child Care

Youth & Teen Program