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Respite Care Providers
Your Family, Your Choice
Families in need of quality child care at Hanscom Air Force Base can rest assured that our Family Child Care services are both nationally accredited, and highly regulated.
An ideal option for parents of children who prefer a smaller, more personalized child care setting; our FCC providers are recruited to provide the best possible service options available. Please see below to learn more.
Choose Home-Based
Child Care
Families who prefer quality child care in a home setting can rest assured that our Family Child Care services are both nationally accredited, and highly regulated.
Family Child Care solutions are available to fit virtually every schedule, deployment, or special need.
FCC Benefits for Military Connected Parents:
- A smaller setting and personalized childcare plans
- The convenience of different aged children together in the same care setting — ideal for siblings
- Flexibility that aligns with mission demands and work schedules
- Hourly, part-day, full-day, shift, and weekend care may be available
- Care for children with special needs including conditions such as allergies, asthma, or physical challenges
Expanded Child Care
The Department of the Air Force Family Child Care (DAF FCC), Expanded Child Care (ECC) Program assists families in obtaining high-quality child care from certified providers at or near the installation. Child care is available for children ages two weeks to 12 years. ECC is available at all DAF led Active Duty locations with an active FCC Program or at other non-DAF led installations/locations where approved providers are available. Use of ECC is permitted once all paperwork is completed and approved. Parents using ECC are expected to arrange their work schedules to have ample time to be with their children. Care is dependent on the availability of funding and providers.
What Parents Need to Know
FCC providers undergo a stringent licensing procedure, including training, home inspections, and background checks. This includes a 15 module license qualification training, as well as 24 hours of recurring annual training. FCC providers are also CPR and First Aid certified.
To ensure the safety and well-being of the children in their care, FCC providers undergo regular, mandatory training requirements and receive monthly, unannounced home observations. Meals and snacks for children are planned to meet USDA requirements, and FCC homes are smoke-free environments where no pets are allowed around children. Children’s television viewing is limited to one hour of child-appropriate programming, and FCC providers are trained to use only positive discipline techniques – physical punishments are strictly prohibited. In addition to the above measures, FCC providers and family members complete annual security clearances.
Parent advisory meetings are held quarterly and offer parents information, education, and the opportunity to offer input and suggestions. FCC providers also have access to a resource center that provides equipment and supplies.
Find the Right FCC Provider for Your Family:
Step I: Obtain and Complete enrollment forms (available at the FCC Program office)
Step II: Obtain a current, official copy of your child’s immunization record indicating all required vaccinations are up to date
Step III: Obtain an FCC Provider Referral List and set up interviews and home visits.
- Review contracts and fees
- Discuss home policies and discipline procedures
- Prepare interview questions which may include topics such as schedules, vacation, illness, open door policies, etc.
- Be prepared to provide information about any special needs, concerns, or requirements your child may have
- Check provider references Step
IV: Sign a travel authorization
Step V: Sign a contract with the provider
Step VI: Provide two, local, emergency contacts Resources and information are available for parents at the FCC office, Child Development Center, A&FRC, and through First Sergeants and Commanders.
Eligibility
Child care eligibility is contingent on the status of the sponsor. Eligible patrons as outlined in DoDI 6060.02, including active duty military, DoD civilian employees, guard or reserve on active duty orders, active duty coast guard members, combat-related wounded warriors in an active duty status, Gold Star spouses of military members who died from a combat-related incident, those acting in loco parentis for the dependent child of an otherwise eligible patron, eligible employees of DoD contractors, and others who may be authorized on a space-available basis. In the case of unmarried, legally separated parents with joint custody or divorced parents with joint custody, children or youth are eligible for child care only when they reside with the eligible sponsor at least 25 percent of the time in a month. If granted child care during active duty status, children of combat-related wounded warriors may remain in child care until their dependent child reaches age twelve. Children of combat-related wounded warriors who are medically retired as a result of combat-related injuries may remain in the existing program until the child(ren) is (are) no longer age-eligible.
Services Available to Active Duty Military Members Only:
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Air Force Aid Society Child Care for PCS (AFAS PCS)
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PCS Child Care for Army, Navy, and Marines Assigned To DAF (PCSCC)
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Emergency Medical Care (EMC)
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Wounded Warrior Care (WWC)
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Child Care of Fallen Warriors (BC)
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Exceptional Family Member Program Respite Child Care (EFMP RCP)
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Deployment/Remote Assignment Child Care Support
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FCC Provider Orientation Child Care (FCC POCC)
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Home Community Care (HCC)
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Community Based Child Care Programs
Services Available to Active Duty Military Members & DoD Civilians:
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AF Extended Duty Care (EDC)
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DAF FCC Subsidy Program (SUB)
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FCC 24/7 Child Care
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Military Spouse Appointment Child Care (MSAC)
Provider Frequently Asked Questions
Do I qualify to become an FCC caregiver?
To become an FCC caregiver you:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Must be a High School Graduate
- Must be able to speak, read, and write English
- Must be the spouse of an active duty or retired military member
- Must be physically and mentally capable of obtaining an FCC license, passing all training requirements, and caring for the daily needs of young children
Can I live off-base and be an FCC Provider?
If you are the spouse of an active duty military member, or a military retiree, you may apply to become and FCC provider. You may become and affiliate provider if you regularly care for at least one military dependent (other than your own child) in your home. All FCC caregivers must meet the same requirements. Off-base providers receive the same benefits as an on-base provider.
How do you become a licensed FCC Provider?
- Attend and FCC Orientation Training, pass the 15-module training leading to licensing
- Obtain CPR and First Aid certifications
- Obtain a valid Food Handler’s Card and medical certificate
- Successfully complete background screenings and obtain a Security Clearance
- Accomplish required home health, safety, fire, and FCC inspections
- Complete 24 hours of supplemental training annually
What professional support do FCC providers receive?
- The FCC Office sponsors classes and workshops in child development for the professional development of providers
- Lending libraries with toys, equipment, games, and resources keep activities fresh and affordable
- Promoting your business through FCC provider referral list to parents
- Serves as a sponsor for the Child & Adult Food Care Program
DISCLAIMER: The FCC Program accepts children with chronic health problems for care and employs and approves as providers, individuals with chronic health problems.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, national origin age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at Http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA Office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington D.C. 2020-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities may contact, USDA through the Federal Rely Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish).
Become a Family Child Care Provider
The Hanscom Family Child Care (FCC) program offers families alternative childcare in a less structured/home-like environment. FCC Providers are able to accommodate parents’ various work schedules with full/part-time, drop-in, weekend, and evening care.
Providers receive extensive training in child development, positive guidance techniques, CPR, first-aid, health, safety, fire prevention, nutrition, reporting of child abuse, and food handling before obtaining a license. FCC homes are licensed by the group commander in coordination with health, fire, and safety agencies.They are also monitored by the FCC Coordinator.
The program is seeking out the right candidates to provide childcare in their own homes. Providers are offered free training, free equipment, ability to set your own schedule, accreditation assistance, and multiple paid incentives. Please keep in mind that if you become a provider, you may be responsible for caring for children with special needs, which may include asthma, allergies, cerebral palsy and other physical ailments.
Why Open Your Home to Military-Connected Children?
- Spouses and retirees can generate significant supplemental income while staying at home with their own children
- FCC training and licensing PCS’s with you (each State has licensing requirements)
- As an FCC caregiver you become an independent business owner and develop a highly sought-after skill set
- FCC providers may obtain accreditation through the National Association for Family Child Care
- Offset food costs through reimbursement for healthy meals served to children through participation in the Child & Adult Care Food Program
- Eliminate child care expenses for your own children
- Military kids move a lot, welcoming children into your home leads to friendships that last a lifetime
- As an FCC caregiver you become part of a network that extends across the DoD with access to lending libraries, resources, technical assistance, and training that strengthen your Early Childhood career
- Most importantly the impact you have on the lives of the children in your care gives them one more support system to ensure their success