SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Finding the right child care to fit a busy military lifestyle can seem challenging.
Spangdahlem Air Base offers programs designed to be flexible and accessible, helping families navigate everything from daily duty demands to long-term deployments.
Understanding your options, particularly the difference between the Child Development Center (CDC) and Family Child Care (FCC), is the first step, 52nd Force Support Squadron said.
“Child care is a readiness matter,” said Master Sgt. Lindsey Griffin, 52nd FSS first sergeant. “Our members need to be able to work. Those who have families need to feel comfortable leaving their children in good hands with our care providers, so they can go and support the mission.”
The FCC program is a Department of Defense-wide initiative that delivers certified in-home care, serving as a flexible alternative to traditional installation CDCs. Whether it's an afternoon or overnight stay, skilled professionals keep a watchful eye over children ranging from six weeks to 12 years old, in the safety and comfort of a home environment on or off the installation.
“With FCC, the ratio of children to caretakers is much lower than say, at a CDC,” said Griffin, who frequently works with the program and its coordinators. “Children have more attention on themselves and therefore can receive more thorough care.”
While both programs are vital to military parents, FCC uniquely offers care that extends beyond normal business hours. This flexibility is a lifeline for Airmen with atypical schedules, including shift workers and crews that may be away from home longer than normal work hours.
“FCC was established to support the mission by providing flexible care options that other programs may not be able to offer,” said Margaret Tackett, 52nd Fighter Wing community child-care coordinator. “[This gives] families as many options as possible when they need help.”
FCC providers, who operate as authorized independent contractors, offer a wide array of support including no-cost child care for families before, during, and after a deployment.
"FCC is the only child and youth program that provides this specific type of deployment care for families," Tackett said. "It’s meant to give families a break and provide support while a service member is deployed.”
The program also offers child care support during other demanding times in a military career, such as a permanent change of station (PCS) move; and when providing care for families of wounded, ill, or injured service members.
All providers undergo comprehensive background checks, regular home inspections, and extensive paid training in health, safety, and child development, according to program officials. Furthermore, military policy requires that anyone providing care on a regular basis for more than 10 hours per week in government housing must be officially certified through the program as doing so without authorization puts your housing privileges at risk.
Tackett and Griffin both emphasized that the FCC program is always in need of more caretakers, due to high demand and the rigorous amount of training and certification required to provide care. Providers play a vital role in supporting the families who fuel the mission and are paid as such.
To encourage participation, the FCC program offers incentives for qualified providers, encouraging those who may be qualified to consider becoming one. For more information on using the program or becoming a provider, visit https://52fss.com/family-child-care/ or contact 52fss.fsy.familyhildcare@us.af.mil.