Military Child Care Programs & Fee Assistance

On-Base Child Care Options

Military installations across the country operate child care programs designed specifically for service members and their families. These programs are held to high standards and offer affordable, structured environments for children of all ages.

Child Development Centers (CDCs)

CDCs are the most common form of on-base child care. They serve children from six weeks through five years old and are staffed by trained caregivers who follow a curriculum focused on early childhood development. Fees are based on your Total Family Income, making them significantly more affordable than most civilian alternatives.

Family Child Care (FCC)

FCC providers are certified caregivers who operate out of their on-base homes. They offer a smaller, more personal setting and often have more flexible hours — including evenings and weekends — which can be especially helpful during deployments or irregular duty schedules. FCC providers are inspected, trained, and insured through the military.

School-Age Care (SAC)

For children ages 5 through 12, School-Age Care programs provide before-school, after-school, and summer care on the installation. SAC programs focus on homework help, physical activity, and social development, giving your school-age children a safe and engaging environment while you are at work.

Finding & Registering for Child Care

The Department of Defense operates a centralized portal at MilitaryChildCare.com where you can search for available care, join wait lists, and manage your requests across installations. You can register for care at your new duty station as soon as you receive orders — and I strongly recommend doing so immediately. Wait lists for infant care, in particular, can stretch several months.

The portal lets you request care at multiple locations simultaneously, so if on-base options have a long wait, you can also explore off-base providers who participate in military fee assistance programs.

Military Child Care Fee Assistance

When on-base care is unavailable or impractical, the Military Child Care Fee Assistance program helps cover the cost of civilian child care. This program is available to active-duty families, Guard and Reserve members on active orders, and eligible DoD civilians. The amount of assistance depends on your Total Family Income and the number of children in care.

To apply, create a profile on MilitaryChildCare.com, search for participating civilian providers in your area, and submit a fee assistance request. Once approved, the subsidy is paid directly to the provider, reducing what you pay out of pocket each week.

Child Care During a PCS Move

The transition period between duty stations can be one of the hardest times to find child care. You may have already cleared out of your old installation's CDC, but your new placement has not started yet. Fortunately, several options exist to bridge the gap.

Many installations offer drop-in or hourly care for families who are actively PCSing. Some CDCs reserve a small number of slots specifically for incoming families. You can also use fee assistance to enroll your children with a civilian provider on a temporary basis while you wait for your permanent on-base placement.

Planning ahead makes all the difference. As soon as you receive your orders, register for care at your gaining installation, ask your sponsor about local off-base options, and check whether interim care is available through the Family Readiness Center.

Off-Base Child Care in Texas

Texas has a robust network of licensed child care providers, and many participate in the military fee assistance program. When evaluating off-base options, look for providers who are licensed by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and who have experience working with military families. Ask about their policies on mid-year enrollment (common during PCS moves) and whether they offer flexible scheduling.

If you are relocating to the DFW metroplex, I can help you identify neighborhoods that are close to both your duty station and high-quality child care providers. Finding a home in the right location saves you commute time and gives your children continuity in their daily routines.