Finding Suitable Child Care Top Priority

Special Section: Getting Settled

As a military family who moves often, finding child care can be a central issue. While the demand for child care is high and spaces are often limited, many families may not realize the scope of child care resources available to them, both on and off their installations.

Hampton Roads offers a number of excellent child care options, including the Child Development Centers and in-home care programs for children to age five. A list of potential providers will be matched to the client based on proximity to the client’s work or home.

Currently, DoD operates 800 Child Development Centers in 300 locations throughout the world, caring for approximately 200,000 military and DoD civilian children each day. Full-day, part-day and hourly military family childcare in these centers generally is available for children ages six weeks to 12 years.

Each base also has School-Aged Services and Youth Programs that can provide before and after school care to age 12 and youth activities to age 18. For a list of referrals and more information, contact the appropriate facility at the following numbers:

Langley Air Force Base 764-3585
Fort Monroe 788-2698
Fort Eustis 878-4025
Fort Story 422-7019

Finding quality accessible and affordable child care is possible for every Navy family. National Military Family Association, Military OneSource, the Child Care Aware Hotline (800-424-2246), and Military Homefront all provide information about child care resources.

For additional choices in the community, contact The Planning Council’s Childcare Resource and Referral Service. The Planning Council, contracted by the Virginia Department of Social Services, trains child care providers and helps parents locate quality child care. Referrals may be received by calling the Child Care Answer Line at 627-3993 ext 3048 or 622-9268 ext. 3045, by emailing slott@theplanningcouncil.org or by visiting www.theplanningcouncil.org/childreferral.htm and accessing the childcare provider data base using zip codes.
Regardless of the type of child care desired, careful consideration should be given during the selection process. Parents are urged to research each child care facility thoroughly before settling on a particular one.

Ask when the center or home facility will be open. Be sure to verify fees upfront and before signing any contract. Ask how the program is administered – whether snacks and meals are offered, what the adult-to-child ratio is and what the age ranges are for children.

Visit the facility to learn more about it, including its licensing and accreditation. It should be clean and safe and teachers should be properly trained in handling discipline as well as first aid. Activities should be developmentally appropriate, and teachers should interact positively with the children. Ask about daily interaction between the staff and parents and for references from other parents.

Whichever facility or program chosen, the environment and staff should be a comfortable fit for both the parents and the child.