Childcare Solutions for Working Military Spouses: Complete Guide

Bottom Line Up Front

Childcare is one of the biggest barriers to military spouse employment—but multiple programs exist to help. Child Development Centers (CDCs) on base offer subsidized care with priority access. Family Child Care (FCC) provides home-based options. Fee assistance programs can reduce costs at civilian providers. This guide covers all your options, how to navigate waitlists, backup care solutions, and strategies for handling childcare during deployments and PCS moves.

The Military Spouse Career Challenge

Working parents face childcare challenges. Military spouse parents face:

• Waitlists that reset with each PCS
• No family nearby to help
• Single-parenting during deployment
• Unpredictable duty schedules
• Childcare gaps during transitions

The Result: Many spouses can't work, or work below their potential.

The Solution: Know your options, plan ahead, and use every resource available.

On-Base Childcare Options

Child Development Centers (CDCs)

What They Are: DoD-operated childcare facilities on military installations

Advantages:

• Subsidized rates based on income
• Accredited programs
• Convenient location
• Priority for military families
• Consistent quality across installations

Age Ranges:

• Infant care (6 weeks - 12 months)
• Pre-toddler (1-2 years)
• Toddler (2-3 years)
• Preschool (3-5 years)

Cost (2024 Ranges): Based on total family income:

• Lowest tier: ~$67-100/week
• Middle tiers: ~$100-200/week
• Highest tier: ~$200-300/week

Rates vary by installation and age of child

Family Child Care (FCC)

What It Is: Licensed childcare providers operating from homes on or near base

Advantages:

• More flexible hours (some offer evenings/weekends)
• Home environment
• Smaller group sizes
• Often available when CDC waitlisted
• Convenient locations

Finding FCC Providers:

• Contact installation CDC
• Ask at Family Resource Center
• MilitaryChildCare.com

Oversight:

• Licensed and inspected by DoD
• Background checks required
• Training requirements
• Regular monitoring

School-Age Care (SAC)

What It Is: Before/after school programs and summer care for school-age children

Options:

• School-Age Care programs (on base)
• Youth programs
• Camp programs
• Sports and activities

Hours:

• Before school (typically 6-8 AM)
• After school (typically 3-6 PM)
• Full day during school breaks
• Summer programs

Fee Assistance Programs

Military Child Care Fee Assistance

Who Qualifies:

• Working military spouses
• Spouses seeking employment
• Spouses in school/training

What It Covers:

• Civilian childcare providers
• Licensed care off base
• Can supplement when CDC unavailable

How to Apply:

1. Contact installation Family Resource Center
2. Complete application
3. Provide income documentation
4. Receive authorization

Monthly Assistance:

• Varies by income and installation
• Can be $200-1,500/month per child
• Covers percentage of care costs

Child Care Aware Fee Assistance

Program: DoD partners with Child Care Aware for military families

Services:

• Childcare referrals
• Fee assistance application help
• Emergency/respite care information
• childcareaware.org/military

State Programs

Additional Options:

• State childcare subsidies
• Head Start programs
• State pre-K
• May be combined with military assistance

Finding State Programs:

• Contact local childcare resource agency
• State Department of Education
• Head Start locator: eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov

Navigating Waitlists

CDC Waitlist Strategy

Register Early:

• Sign up immediately upon PCS orders
• Don't wait until you arrive
• Some installations allow pre-registration

Use MilitaryChildCare.com:

• Single application for multiple installations
• Request up to 4 locations
• Track application status
• Receive updates

Priority System: CDCs typically prioritize:

1. Single military parents
2. Dual military families
3. Active duty with working spouse
4. Active duty with spouse in school
5. Other eligible families

While on Waitlist:

• Consider FCC (often shorter waits)
• Explore fee assistance for civilian care
• Check off-base options
• Ask about part-time spots

Tips for Faster Placement

Flexibility Helps:

• Accept less preferred schedule initially
• Consider infant/toddler room (often longer waits for preschool)
• Part-time spot may lead to full-time
• Ask about opening predictions

Stay Active:

• Update application if circumstances change
• Check in monthly
• Be responsive when contacted
• Have documents ready

Backup Care Options

Military OneSource Respite Care

What It Is: Free temporary care during challenging times

Eligibility:

• Active duty families
• Up to 16 hours/month per child
• For deployment, emergency, transition stress

How to Access:

• Call Military OneSource
• Request respite care
• Receive provider information
• Schedule care

Emergency/Extended Care

CDC Extended Hours:

• Some CDCs offer extended hours for shift workers
• Ask about availability at your installation

24-Hour Care:

• Limited installations offer
• Usually for specific mission requirements
• Ask at Family Resource Center

Backup Care Networks

Building Your Network:

• Connect with other military families
• Share emergency care reciprocally
• Join spouse support groups
• Know your neighbors

Care.com Military Program:

• Some installations partner
• Backup sitter options
• Check installation benefits

Childcare During Deployment

The Challenge

Single-Parenting Reality:

• No partner for backup
• All appointments fall on you
• No flexibility for work emergencies
• Extended hours become harder

Strategies

Communication with Employer:

• Explain deployment status upfront
• Discuss flexibility needs
• Have backup plan they know about

Childcare Adjustments:

• May need longer hours
• Evening/weekend care for emergencies
• Network of backup options
• Consider au pair for extensive needs

Respite Care:

• Military OneSource program
• Installation family programs
• Organized through chaplain services

Family Support:

• If family can visit/help
• Coordinate timing with difficult periods
• Accept offered help

Family Care Plan

Requirement for Service Members: If your spouse is service member, they need Family Care Plan

Working Spouse Consideration: Your employment situation factors into plan viability

Components:

• Short-term care provider
• Long-term care provider
• Financial provisions
• Legal documents
• School/medical information

Childcare During PCS

Before You Leave

Give Notice:

• CDC requires advance notice
• May be 2-4 weeks
• Some refund unused fees

Request Transfer Documentation:

• Enrollment history
• Immunization records
• Developmental records
• Payment history

Transition Period

Gap Coverage:

• You may have childcare gap during move
• Fee assistance may cover temporary care
• Consider temporary sitter services
• Build into PCS budget

Planning:

• Know arrival date
• Register for new location waitlist early
• Have interim plan if needed

At New Location

Priority Registration:

• Sign up immediately
• Bring all documentation
• Ask about transfer priority
• Explore FCC while waiting for CDC

Work Schedule Considerations

Jobs Compatible with Childcare Hours

CDC-Friendly Hours: Most CDCs operate ~6 AM - 6 PM

Jobs That Work:

• Traditional 9-5 schedules
• Remote work (flexible around hours)
• Part-time during care hours
• Staggered schedules with spouse

Extended Hours Needs

If You Need Care Beyond CDC Hours:

Options:

• FCC providers (often more flexible)
• Nanny or au pair
• Family member if available
• Combination of care types

Industries With Non-Standard Hours:

• Healthcare shift work
• Retail
• Hospitality
• Some remote positions

Remote Work and Childcare

Common Misconception: "I work from home so I don't need childcare"

Reality: Most remote jobs require focused work time—childcare still needed

Hybrid Approach:

• Part-time childcare
• Nap time focused work
• Flexible schedule around care
• May need less but not zero childcare

Cost Management

Understanding the Full Picture

Calculate Total Costs:

• Childcare fees
• Transportation to/from
• Meals/snacks if not included
• Activities and extras

Calculate Value of Working:

• Your income
• Minus childcare costs
• Minus work expenses
• Equals net benefit

Sometimes: Part-time work that fits free preschool hours makes more sense than full-time with expensive infant care

Maximizing Assistance

Layer Programs:

• Military fee assistance +
• State subsidies +
• Employer benefits (if available)
• FSA/tax benefits

Tax Benefits

Child and Dependent Care Credit:

• Federal tax credit
• Up to $3,000 for one child, $6,000 for two+
• Credit percentage based on income

Dependent Care FSA:

• Pre-tax childcare savings
• Up to $5,000/year
• Reduces taxable income
• Available through some employers

Special Situations

Children with Special Needs

CDC Inclusion:

• CDCs must accommodate special needs
• May have specialized staff
• Individual plans created
• Therapies may be available

EFMP Resources:

• Exceptional Family Member Program
• Additional support services
• Respite care options
• Resource coordination

Multiple Children

Sibling Discount:

• Some CDCs offer
• FCC may negotiate rates
• Fee assistance covers multiple children
• Calculate total cost carefully

Infant Care

Hardest to Find:

• Infant rooms have lowest ratios
• Longest waitlists
• Most expensive tier
• Plan earliest for infant care

Strategies:

• Register during pregnancy
• Consider FCC (often more infant availability)
• Know your fee assistance options
• Have backup plan

Resources

MilitaryChildCare.com:

• Online registration
• Waitlist management
• Multiple location requests
• militarychildcare.com

Child Care Aware:

• Military family support
• Provider referrals
• Fee assistance help
• childcareaware.org/military

Installation Resources:

• Child Development Center
• Family Resource Center
• School Liaison Officer (school-age)
• EFMP (special needs)

Financial:

• Military OneSource financial counseling
• IRS Publication 503 (childcare tax credit)
• State subsidy programs

This Website:

• Time Management for Military Spouses
• Building Career During Deployment
• militarytransitiontoolkit.com

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Childcare is a challenge, but military families have more resources than many realize. Start early, use every program available, build your backup network, and don't let childcare be the reason you can't pursue your career. It takes planning and sometimes creativity, but working military spouse parents make it work every day.