Child care is important for any working parents, but it's especially important for military families. If the civilian spouse works outside the home even part-time, he or she will need necessary, no question about it. Thankfully, child care is usually available on base, but not always as soon as you'd like it to be. If you want to increase the odds that you'll be able to get your child into a military child care center, you'll need to take the following steps.

 

 

Get On the List

Even though more and more child care centers are being opened on bases around the world, demand has a way of outpacing supply. As soon as a new center opens, it fills up right away and then the base begins considering whether (and when) to open antoher one. So the first thing you need to do is get your child’s name on the waiting list . Even if there are hundreds of people ahead of you, sign your child up now. This is important for several reasons.

First, most centers are able to handle several hundred children per days, so being the 220^th person on the waiting list with a new center about to open might not be as bad as it sounds. Second, the new center will fill up quickly, just like the others ones did. So getting on the list early will ensure that you’re able to get your child in as soon as possible.

Consider In-Home Care

Many military bases have so many children under five years of age that there is no way they can possibly open enough child care centers to accommodate them all.

To help deal with this overload, many bases have started licensing military spouses who live on base to operate child care facilities in their homes. These providers have to meet very stringent requirements in terms of cleanliness, safety, and so on. They're also required to be licensed by the government. Many home-based care providers can handle dozens of kids per day, and they're an excellent option if the base’s center is full, and a new one won't be opening anytime soon.

Ask for Help

There is no way to guarantee that your child will have a place in the base’s center, or even in a private, on-base, in-home center. If you’re faced with this situation, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Many installations now offer assistance with placing your child in nearby, off-base, civilian-operated child care centers. This assistance can range from securing interviews and setting up walkthroughs, to helping pick up some of the tab (off-base child care generally costs more than on-base).

 

How to Pay for Child Care

Child care is expensive, no matter what age your child is and no matter where you might be stationed. If finances are already tight, adding in one more expense can be extremely frustrating. Fret not—there is help. The various branches of the military offer a number of ways to offset the cost of child care if you’re not able to take advantage of on-base care facilities. One such option is Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood, which can refer you to good care facilities and may be able to help you pay for them as well. Operation: Military Child Care is another organization that helps provide financial assistance to needy military families.

Child care is an important consideration for millions of American servicemembers and their families. There are lots of options out there, including on-base care. Getting into a base-centered care facility is the best option, and you’ll need patience and perseverance to get from the list to an open slot, If that doesn't work out, there are other options available both on base and in the surrounding area.