Military Childcare 101

Affordable, high-quality child care is a critical need for military families, who often face unique challenges such as frequent relocations, deployments, and limited availability of on-base programs. In response, the Department of Defense and each military branch offer a wide range of child care assistance programs. This guide explains the available options, including eligibility, how to apply, and what families can expect.

While individual programs may vary between bases or branches of the military, the quality standards remain consistent throughout the DOD childcare system. We're breaking down the various childcare options for military families, including any discounts or subsidies available. 

Who is eligible for military childcare?

A child must be a dependent of an eligible "sponsor" (the person enrolling them in care) in order to participate in any military child care program. Eligible sponsors include:

• Active duty military 
• Coast Guard personnel
• Department of Defense employees (who may or may not be civilians)
• National Guard/reserve component military personnel who are actively serving
• A service member who was injured in combat
• A spouse of a military member who died in combat

Other military members, retirees, or Department of Defense contractors may also be eligible for military childcare but only if spaces are available after all higher priority families have received care. 

On-Base Military Child Care Programs

Child Development Centers (CDCs) are located on military installations and serve children from 6 weeks through preschool age. These nationally accredited centers offer both full-time and part-time care and follow a sliding fee scale based on family income.

For school-age children in kindergarten through sixth grade, School-Age Care (SAC) programs provide care before and after school, during school breaks, and over summer. These programs are usually affiliated with national youth organizations and meet Department of Defense certification standards.

Family Child Care (FCC) homes offer care in a certified provider’s residence, typically on or near the installation. FCC homes are a flexible option for families who need nontraditional hours or prefer a smaller group setting.

Families seeking on-base care must register and apply through the Department of Defense’s centralized portal for child care enrollment. 

Off-Base Child Care Fee Assistance

When on-base care is full or unavailable, military families may qualify for off-base fee assistance through the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN) program. This subsidy is designed to reduce the cost of civilian child care so it aligns with the fees charged at CDCs.

To qualify for MCCYN, families must have an active-duty service member (including activated Guard or Reserve), a working or full-time student spouse, and documentation showing that on-base care is not available. Providers must be state-licensed and nationally accredited or meet their state’s quality standards under MCCYN-PLUS. Popular daycare chains such as KinderCare are often eligible under this program.

Fee assistance is calculated based on the family's income and the provider’s tuition. The Department of Defense pays the difference between the provider’s rate and what the family would pay at an on-base center, subject to local rate caps.

In-Home Child Care Fee Assistance

What if I don't live on an installation or the installation providers are full?

For families who prefer in-home care, or who have difficulty finding local center-based options, the In-Home Child Care Fee Assistance Pilot offers financial support to hire a nanny or babysitter. This program is available in select high-demand areas.

Eligible families include dual-military households, single active-duty parents, and those with a working or full-time student spouse. Caregivers must pass background checks and meet state and program requirements. The program subsidizes 30 to 60 hours of care per week, offering more flexibility than standard CDC hours.

Other Military Child Care Support Programs

In addition to traditional child care and fee assistance, several supplemental programs are available to support military families:

• Respite care and deployment support: Many branches offer 16 free hours of child care per child each month during deployments. The Air Force’s “Give Parents a Break” program also provides free child care during stressful periods.

• PCS child care reimbursement: The Department of Defense offers reimbursements of up to $500 (CONUS) or $1,500 (OCONUS) for travel expenses to bring a caregiver during a permanent change of station (PCS) move if on-base care is unavailable within 30 days of arrival.

• Hourly and backup care: Military OneSource provides free access to a nationwide caregiver directory to help families find trusted babysitters and backup care providers.

Branch-Specific Child Care

While the core programs are consistent across all military branches, there are a few differences.

• The Army requires families to be on a waitlist for 30 days before qualifying for off-base fee assistance.
• Navy and Marine Corps families may have access to 24/7 care options and can receive emergency financial support through the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.
• The Air Force and Space Force offer additional benefits such as PCS care vouchers and support from the Air Force Aid Society.
• Coast Guard families primarily use community-based care with assistance managed through their Work-Life Offices, due to a limited number of Coast Guard-operated CDCs.

How to Get Started

Military families have more options than ever to access child care that meets their needs. From on-base centers to in-home subsidies and temporary relief programs, the system continues to evolve to better support service members and their families. Find child care programs and providers offering military assistance on Winnie.