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Air Force
Family Child Care Resource and Referral
2373 White Circle
Joint Base Charleston, SC 29404
843-963-2546
312-673-2546
Contact information for key programs and services at this installation.
Programs and services are available at most installations for children up to age 12. Care may be provided in Child Development Centers, School Age Care Programs, and Family Child Care Homes. Please review the information to find out what programs and services are available at this installation. Please contact the Child and Youth Program point of contact at this installation if you require information, assistance or resources for child care in your local community.
Being that Joint Base Charleston is geographically separated, there are two Child Development Centers. Each location has one center with varying programs and availability, but both are open to all service family members assigned to Joint Base Charleston.
*Personnel relocating to JB Charleston who have a need for child care must request care at MilitaryChildCare.com. This single online gateway provides access to comprehensive information on military operated and military subsidized child care options available worldwide.
It is highly recommended that you contact either or both Child Development Centers directly to learn about specific programs and availability in determining which location may best suit your family's needs.
Contact Information:
The Respite Care Program is intended to reduce stress on primary caregivers of qualifying family members. Respite Care programs vary by facility, location, branch of service, and space-availability, dependent upon qualifying reasons. For additional information contact the EFMP Family Support Team at 843-963-5782 (Air Base) or 843-794-7486 (Weapons Station).
The Joint Base Charleston Family Child Care (FCC) Program offers parents a variety of options to include full-time, part-time, hourly, and shift care for children two weeks through 12 years of age. FCC providers are trained to ensure they are familiar with and meet health and safety standards. As independent business owners, FCC providers have more flexibility than centers in the type of care they provide and the hours of operation. Providers offer diverse and rich experiences for children in their care and are monitored by FCC program staff to ensure they are offering the highest quality of care to children and their families. Each provider is considered a private business and sets their own fees and hours of operation. Within the first 18 months of certification, providers must complete 15 AF Training Modules, equivalent to approximately 60 hours of training. They are then required to complete a total of 24 hours of additional training each year in order to renew their license/affiliation. Additional training includes CPR/First Aid, Child Abuse/Neglect Prevention/Identifying/ Reporting, fire/health and safety guidelines, and USDA guidelines for the children's nutritional needs. Parents are encouraged to interview several providers. Each home functions as a private business and as such fees and policies may vary. A current immunization record, to include an annual flu shot, is required for enrollment. Fee assistance (subsidy) is available for full time care. Parents must be working 30 hours per week or enrolled in school full time. Full time rates are the same as they would pay in the Child Development Center. For more information visit the website or call the FCC Coordinator, at 843-963-2546, DSN 673-2546. The current list of Family Child Care Providers can be found on militarychildcare.com.
The Child Care for PCS program offers 20 hours of free childcare to Air Force families with PCS orders. *All Active-duty Air Force and Space Force members (Must apply within 60 days of arrival or departure). *Air National Guard and Reserve members activated under Title 10, USC for more than 15 days with a PCS order. Air Force and Space Force members with retirement, Palace Chase, or separation orders, including those on the Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) (Only eligible within 60 days at the departure location). *Financial Assistance $200 per dependent child up to age 12 (not to exceed $1,000 per household) *Provider Flexibility-Funds can be used for any childcare option, *Direct Payment to Families Approved funds are deposited to member via Zelle or ACH. Documentation needed: PCS Orders, Retirement Orders, Separation Orders (Eligible children must be listed on the PCS order and must be moving to the PCS location with the sponsor), * Certification Form (Included in application process) * Military ID -copy of front and back. To apply: visit afas.org and select Request Assistance. Questions: call 703.972.2604 or ea@afas-hq.org.
Extended Duty Child Care (EDC) is care provided on a temporary basis for short/no notice shift changes. This care is beyond the normal 50-hour work week an example would be during base exercises. It is also available for primary UTA weekends for single parents or when dual parents are both working. EDC must be scheduled through the FCC Coordinator and is available based on space availability in the FCC provider's homes. A statement from the military member's supervisor (and spouse when dual family) is required as documentation for the required extra hours. There is no cost for this program.
The following free Expanded Child Care Programs are also available at JB Charleston: Home Community Care (UTA weekends),16 hours for pre-deployment,16 hours each month during deployment and 16 hours after returning home child care, PCS for Navy/Marine/Army (20hrs per child),Emergency Medical Care, Wounded Warrior Care, Child Care for Fallen Warriors, Military Spouse Appointment Care, and Navy Ombudsmen Care. Requests for the no cost programs must be forwarded through the FCC Coordinator for approval by AF HQ. A minimum of 10 working days is required prior to scheduling in an FCC home. Most require a signature from a supervisor and additional documentation depending on the program they apply for. Additional information about each of these programs may be obtained by contacting the Family Child Care Coordinator at 843-963-2546, DSN 673-2546.
Being that Joint Base Charleston is geographically separated, there are two Child Development Centers. Each location has one center with varying programs and availability, but both are open to all service family members assigned to Joint Base Charleston. Care includes developmental and educational programs for children 6 weeks to 5 years on a full time, part-time or drop in basis, based on space availability. Both Centers are DOD Certified and Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Contact Information
Air Base:
Naval Weapons Station:
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday 6:30 a.m. 6 p.m.
Eligibility
Patrons who qualify for services include active duty Military Service members, DOD civilian employees paid from APF and NAF, Reserve Component Military Service members on active duty training, combat-related wounded warriors, surviving spouses of military members who died from a combat-related incident, eligible employees of DOD contractors, other Federal employees, and those acting in loco parentis of the aforementioned eligible patrons.
Fees
All Fees are in accordance with the Department of Defense guidelines and are based on Total Family Income. A sliding scale is used for fees. There are nine fee categories. CDC fees cover quality child care, meals and snacks which include (breakfast, lunch, afternoon and evening snack).
Registration
Personnel relocating to JB Charleston who have a need for child care must request care at MilitaryChildCare.com. This single online gateway provides access to comprehensive information on military operated and military subsidized child care options available worldwide.
Parents may also contact the Resource and Referral Office at 843-963-2546. Families unable to obtain care in a JB Charleston child care program (CDCs/FCC providers) may search off-base child care through ChildCareAware.org or NACCRRA, which also provide fee assistance to eligible families unable to access care in an on-base program.
School Age Care is available through the installation Youth Centers, providing care for children in elementary to middle school ages. Youth centers also have designated teen areas. Both centers follow local school district calendars, offering before and after school care during regularly scheduled school days and provide all day services during school district closures and holidays. *This does not always include closures for inclement weather.*
The school-age program provides age-appropriate activities through the 4-H and Boys and Girls Clubs of America curricula. Activities include field trips, building life skills, exploring creative arts, developing healthy lifestyles and various other activities. Children in attendance are served well-balanced and nutritious meals/snacks from a menu that meets the US Depart of Agricultural Child and Adult Food Program standards.
You may access the JB Charleston-Youth Program Handbook here.
Center Contact Information
Weapons Station:
We are closed federal holidays.
Inclement weather: follow the command protocol