Hourly care for your children

BY AMY PARKER

FAMILY & MWR FAMILY CHILD CARE

Army Family Child Care (FCC) is a program that allows military spouses to provide quality childcare in their on-post homes. FCC often serves as a second home for many children.

Providers get to know children personally, resulting in a more comfortable “home away from home” experience. The FCC programs at Fort Bliss provide full-day, part-day, before and after school, evening, weekend, special needs and longterm mission-related extended care for children ages 4 weeks to 12 years old.

Currently in the COVID-19 environment,

FCC is the only option for parents looking for hourly care services. Additionally, FCC provides the advantage of low child to adult ratios, flexible hours and affordable fees. All FCC providers have passed extensive background checks, cleared inspections from all safety agencies on post and have successfully passed training courses required by the Army. The FCC office staff, CYS

Administration and Garrison leadership regularly inspect the homes to ensure children are provided with the best quality care and environment. Many military spouses may not be aware that the Department of the Army and Child and Youth Services has defined a limit on the childcare hours that can be provided in on-post housing. A 10-hour childcare limit is enforced to protect children from being in unregulated childcare settings on a regular basis. This means, that any family member living in government quarters providing childcare for more than 10 hours per week on a regular basis, must be certified as a Family Child Care provider. “Ten child care hours means one child for 10 hours per week, two children for 5 hours per week, etc.” Becoming a FCC provider on Fort Bliss is a great opportunity for military spouses looking for a career. Operating a licensed home is also a very portable business, easily transferring to the next installation. It pays to be a certified FCC provider! They receive free training and support, free referrals, free materials and equipment and providers qualify for childcare subsidies. Prospective providers can call 915-568-4198, or visit the FCC office at 3503A Story Road to pick up an application today!