Family Child Care (FCC) General Information
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What is a
Licensed family child care home?
A home on
base or in Air Force-leased housing approved by the commander to
provide child care. |
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What is an
affiliated family child care home?
Off-base
providers that are in compliance with the Air Force family child
care standards and voluntarily submit to the same screening,
training, and inspection requirements as on-base licensed
providers. Affiliated candidates must be spouses of active
duty or retired military members. |
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Where is the
FCC Office located?
The family
child care office is located at 366 Ave D (on the corner of 4th
and Ave D). Office hours are 11:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon -
Fri. |
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How do I get
in touch with the FCC staff and pick up a current provider
listing?
FCC
Coordinator is Ms. Beaulieu and the Training and Curriculum
Specialist/ Administrative Assistant is Ms. Patterson.
They may be reached by calling (325) 696-2839 or DSN 461-2839.
Listings of FCC providers are available at the FCC office,
Child Development Center, Airmen and Family Readiness Center,
Community Center, squadron 1st Sgts., and other various agencies
on Dyess AFB. |
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How many
children may a provider care for?
A provider
may care for up to 6 children at one time including the
provider's own children under the age of 8.
A provider
may not care for more than 2 children under 2 years of age
including the provider's own children.
Note: This
number may reduced depending on the size of the home and the
number of children the liability insurance policy covers at one
time. |
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Who may use
the FCC program?
Eligible
patrons are: active duty members, Department of Defense (DoD)
civilian personnel, reservists on active duty and DoD
contractors. |
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What
is the FCC lending program?
The
lending program is a service offered to FCC providers to assist them in
providing the equipment and supplies needed to offer quality care. The program
offers such items as first aid kits, art supplies, toys, puzzles, books, games,
outdoor play equipment, cribs, highchairs, resource materials, and safety items. |
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What
is the FCC Subsidy program?
The FCC
Subsidy program enables providers to offer weekly fee rates comparable to those
of the Child Development Program. Participating providers refer families to
the FCC Office, where staff calculate weekly fee rates based on 6 fee
categories, including base pay, BAS, and BAH of working parents. The provider
is then notified of the fee category for each family, and the portion of the
weekly fee the family will pay. Any remaining portion of the provider’s weekly
fee is paid by the DoD Contractor affiliated with the FCC program. |
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What
is child care for PCS?
A PCS
move is never easy and children can feel stressed out too. The intent of this
Air Force Aid Society program is to provide Moms and Dads the opportunity to
have their children cared for while they are getting ready to leave a base or
arriving at a new base... while packing, unpacking, out -processing,
in-processing, house hunting, attending briefings, etc.
20
hours of care per child is paid for by the Air Force Aid Society for those in
the rank of SSgt and below. Individuals who do not meet the rank criteria, but
feel they have unique circumstances, should contact the Airman and Family
Readiness Center Relocation Assistance Manager or Air Force Aid Society Officer
for eligibility determination at 696-5996. Child Care will be provided only in
a licensed or affiliated FCC home. The Child Care for PCS program is sponsored
by Air Force Aid Society, Airman and Family Readiness Center and the Family
Child Care Program. |
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Choosing a Family
Child Care Provider
Choosing a quality
family child care provider is a very important and difficult decision.
A good family child care home will provide quality care within a safe
environment. Children in a family child care program will experience
activities that are developmentally appropriate and promote cognitive,
social, emotional and physical development. In addition, age
appropriate expectations and guidance can boost a child's self-esteem
and offer valuable learning opportunities.
When searching for
the home child care provider best suited for you and your child, keep in
mind that it is best to visit a provider's home when he or she has
children. This gives you an opportunity to see the environment in which
your child receives care. This may need to be a short visit, as he or
she will need to concentrate on the children in her care. You will
probably want to follow this visit up with an additional visit when the
provider would be more able to focus on your questions and concerns.
Always interview potential providers and don't be afraid to ask
questions.
Here
are a few things to look for and various interview questions to ask
while at a provider's home.
Look
for...
·
a safe
and clean environment
·
nutritious, pleasant meals
·
positive interaction with children
·
parent
involvement
·
age-appropriate learning activities
·
a
daily activity schedule
·
open
door policy
·
consistency in all of the above areas
Questions
to ask...
·
What
are the hours of operation?
·
What
are the rates and payment schedule?
·
What
happens if you get sick?
·
What
is the daily schedule?
·
What
types of meals are served? (ask to see a menu)
·
What
are some activities that you provide?
·
What
type of training have you had?
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