Child Care

Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Respite Care
Respite care is short-term specialized child care designed for families who have children diagnosed with moderate to severe special needs and helps to reduce the stressors associated with caring for an EFM. Finding and paying for respite care can present significant challenges for families. This service is free and the number of hours varies per month.

Criteria is as follows:
-EFM child(ren), ages birth through 18 years, diagnosed with moderate or severe special needs
-Siblings, ages birth through 12 years
-EFM child(ren) and siblings must reside with Airman
-Airman stationed at any Air Force location (geographical separations are eligible if child is located near a respite care site)
-Airman is active duty, including Guard and Reserve if activated for at least 31 days
-Requests for exceptions to policy may be made on a case-by-case basis

The Family Child Care coordinator (505-846-1802) oversees the application process for EFMP respite.

The Family Child Care (FCC) Program offers home-based child care in licensed homes for children of all ages . The program is available to all individuals with base access. These self-employed military spouses work from their homes and operate independently in compliance with strict Air Force policies, including frequent inspections and close monitoring by the Family Child Care staff. Extensive background screening and orientation training must be completed prior to licensing. Full-time, part-time, hourly, weekends, extended hours and school age care is available. For more information, please call the Family Child Care Office at (505) 846-1802/DSN 312-246-1802.

There are two Child Development Centers (CDCs) on Kirtland AFB. The Gibson CDC is on the eastside of the base at the corner of Gibson Blvd and Texas Street. The Maxwell CDC is in Maxwell Housing Area further west off-base on Gibson Blvd. Both CDCs offer care, guidance, and developmental activities for children while personnel fulfill their obligations to the Air Force or enjoy educational, recreational, or social opportunities.

Both CDCs are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and certified by the Department of Defense (DoD). Their policies and procedures are based on Air Force Instruction 34-248, Department of Defense Instruction 6060.2, Air Force Inspection Checklist and local operation instructions.

The CDCs activity centers include reading, manipulative play, music, painting, water play, and sand tables. Weather permitting; children may play outside on playground equipment. The centers also provide breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack.

Types of Care

Reserved regular care and hourly care are available at the Kirtland CDCs. Regular care is provided through an annual reserved regular care contract. If you wish to use the CDC on a regular basis, it is necessary to obtain a reserved space for your child. Hourly care is provided on a non-recurring or irregular basis for children 6 weeks through 5 years of age. There is a minimum reservation of two hours and care cannot exceed 20 hours per child per week. Hourly care is not an alternative to regular care use. Reservations for hourly care are made on a space-available basis up to one month in advance.  

Special Needs

Care of children with physical. mental, or emotional disabilities or those requiring special diets, special procedures, medication for chronic illness or other special attention – cannot be cared for or registered on the waiting list, without referral to the CDC Director or designee, for evaluation.

Eligibility

All dependents, ages 6 weeks to 5 years, of Active Duty military/DoD civilian employees may use the CDCs in accordance with Air Force priorities. The priorities for child care are based on guidance from AFMC and Department of Defense Instruction 6060.2 dated Jan 93 which can be found online. The following categories are eligible to utilize the child care facilities: Active Duty military (single parents & dual military), eligible family members, DoD civilians, Reserves, Guard, Military Retirees and Contractors.  

Enrollment

To request care, eligible individuals must fill out a Waiting list request form, DD Form 2606, and submit to either CDC, in person or by fax; Gibson CDC DSN fax 246-6886, Comm (505) 846-6886 or Maxwell CDC DSN 312-263-5566 or Comm (505) 853-5566. When a slot is available for child, the CDC staff will set-up an appointment at that time and will provide information on the facilities, give a tour and provide initial orientations. If individuals drop in without an appointment, the staff will be happy to provide information on registration but may not be able to accept new registrations or re-registrations due to daily in-processing and out-processing of established patrons.  

Individuals must bring the following documents to register:

1. DoD identification to establish eligibility
2. Child’s current immunization records
3. A current Leave & Earnings Statement and/or pay slip for every adult member of the household

CDC will provide forms for you to fill out or you may want to fill the following out ahead of time:

1. A health evaluation for your child withing 30 days of enrollment, in order for your child to receive care
2. An AF Form 1181 (Air Force Youth Flight program Patron Registration) must be completely filled out and signed for each eligible child a completed form includes a local emergency contact, other than the sponsor and his/her spouse, their phone number, authorization for excursions/field trips, and proof of un-to-date immunizations
3. United States Department of Agriculture income eligibility form
4. CDC program contract
5. DD Form 2652, Application for Childcare Fees/Waiver Financial Obligation
6. A completed AF Form 357 (Dependent Care) must be provided for all single and dual military sponsors before child care can be provided in the CDCs

Fees

Rates are based on total family income. If the child is not living with the parent who is the sponsor, the total income of the household in which the child is living, not to include child support, is used to determine total family income. Hourly (Drop-in) care is $5 per hour, and is from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ONLY.

Waiting List

Kirtland CDCs do have waiting lists. A DD Form 2606 is filled out to place your child on the list. The CDCs use the waiting list and eligibility to determine placement. Special circumstances would be determined on a case by case basis.

Hours of Operation

The CDCs are open from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday - Friday for children six weeks through five years.  The CDCs are closed on all Federal holidays and down days as directed by the base. The CDCs are open for exercises as directed by the Squadron Commander.  For more information contact the Gibson CDC in Bldg 20160, by calling (505) 846-1103/DSN 312-246-1103 or the Maxwell CDC in Bldg 1914, by calling (505) 853-5521/DSN 312-263-5521.

There are two child development centers on Kirtland AFB. Both centers have a waiting list for unborn through 2 years of age. Programs are available from 6 weeks to 5 years of age. Call 505-846-1103.

The Youth Center assists Active Duty personnel, DoD & DoE civilians and contractors by providing a safe, enriching, supervised learning environment for youths age 6 to 18. Located at 8001 G Street, Building 20234. The facility is comprised of a full-size gymnasium, climbing wall, teen room, computer and study room, games room, kitchen and snack bar with seating area, five school-age care classrooms, a multipurpose instructional classroom, piano room, a school-age playground and a skate and bicycle park. The center offers a variety of programs, including Before and After School Care, Power Hour (help with homework), youth sports leagues, and preteen and teen programs. Call (505) 853-KIDS (5437) for more information.