NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Traditional child care is just that, traditional. Normally running from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at most off-base day care centers or from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Child Development Centers here, in-home care is one of the options left for shift workers with little ones.
"Family Child Care is here to help members in need of care when CDCs aren't normally open," said Regina Mullins, 99th Force Support Squadron FCC chief. "We are here to augment the CDC and School-Age Program."
With more than 10 child care programs, FCC offers flexible care for those military members who need supervised care for youngsters 12 and younger. A few of these programs include Pre- and Post-Deployment Child Care, Extended-Duty Care and Permanent Change of Station Care.
While the EDC programs are reserved for active duty or those on active orders, anyone with base access can use regular weekly child care, said Jessica Sisson, 99th FSS, FCC coordinator.
The Nellis FCC also offers its own specialized child care for members assigned to Creech Air Force Base.
Creech Care is for members who are assigned to and live near Creech. The program helps pay the difference in costs for child care between the CDC and off-base providers since there is no CDC, said Mullins
FCC offers other unique opportunities not only for the parents with flexible provider schedules , but also for the kids.
"Children are in a home setting with lower [child to provider] ratios," said Mullins. "There is more one-on-one interaction."
For military or retiree spouses interested in providing care, there are many benefits for themselves and their own children.
"They can stay home and get mommy or daddy time with their kids and still provide an income for their family," said Mullins.
New providers are required to complete 24 hours of hands-on and computer-based training for initial certification and must be recertified annually. Some of the courses included are CPR, basic first aid, positive guidance for interaction with children, to ensure the safety of each child.
All training is free for providers and there is also a Lending Library where they can check out age-appropriate materials for their homes, said Sisson .
Those considering becoming FCC providers may contact the coordinator at (702) 652-4424 or email questions to 99.FSS.Family.Child.Care.Information@us.af.mil.
For Department of Defense ID cardholders in need of care, requests must be submitted via the Militarychildcare.com website after creating an account.