Do Active Duty Military get free child day care on/off post?

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Jan 2021 10:08:50 -0500

I am a active duty military officer. I have 1 year old son. I was wondering if active duty military gets free child day care on/off post?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 30 at 2021 1:36 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 30 Jan 2021 13:36:23 -0500

How many years have you served? The answer is no.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2021 2:55 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Jan 2021 14:55:08 -0500

No. We never get free daycare anywhere. There are options for daycare - on base there are the CDCs (child development centers) or FCCs (Family Childcare). FCCs are people who are certified to run in home daycare on base. They can be used if CDCs are full. It depends on the base - and the rates are the same as FCCs I think.

IF all CDCs and FCCs are full, then there are options to get assistance with childcare if you have to go off post. Child Care Aware is one.

https://www.childcareaware.org/

Military One Source has information on child care as well: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/parenting-and-children/childcare/child-care-the-essentials/

But nowhere is it free for us. No. The fees on base are based on your household income.

Have you gone to CYS at your installation to talk about options on base? Off base it's going to depend on what child care facilities are nearby and they have their own rates.

Home - Child Care Aware of America

Child Care Aware of America is the nation's leading voice on child care issues. All families should have access to high-quality & affordable child care.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2021 4:02 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Jan 2021 16:02:57 -0500

That shit is definitely not free. I was a single parent in Okinawa with three kids in the school age care program, and it was about 25-30% of my income for the school year. During the summer the price doubled and I had to pull the two oldest out because I just couldn't afford $3000+ a month for babysitting preteens

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jan 31 at 2021 1:39 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 13:39:19 -0500

No. However theon post care is significantly less and better conforms to your duty day

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Feb 3 at 2021 6:20 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Wed, 03 Feb 2021 18:20:47 -0500

No... but it is prorated based on income and # children.