MacDill AFB  Child and Youth Services

Children from infants to 12 years may receive care in the private home of a certified family child care provider living in government-owned or government-leased housing. Family child care is typically available weekdays. Evening, weekend and flexible hourly care are also available. Regulations limit the number of children who receive care at any one time to no more than six children under 8 years old, and no more than two children under 2 years old. Family child care providers must be certified by the installation to operate. Individual providers may voluntarily seek national accreditation from the National Association of Family Child Care and are provided local support, training and materials to accomplish this goal.

Military families may request child care by visiting MilitaryChildCare.com. This Department of Defense web-based request for care system serves all military families seeking child care through child development centers, family child care providers and school-age care programs and offers access to military-operated child care options worldwide. Families may search for and request care, manage their requests, and update their profile online, simplifying the process for finding child care.

Child development centers, or CDCs, generally offer child care for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Care is available Monday through Friday, with some locations offering options such as extended hours, weekend care and respite care. Child development centers vary in size and larger installations may operate multiple facilities. Programs are certified by the Department of Defense and accredited by a national accrediting body, such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

School-age care programs provide care to children in kindergarten through sixth grade. Care is offered before and after school, and during non-school days and summer vacations. School-age care programs may be located in Department of Defense youth centers, child development centers or in other suitable facilities. All programs are certified by the Department of Defense and accredited by a national accrediting body, such as the Council on Accreditation.

Dynamic programs for youth ages 5 to 18 years are provided in military youth and teen program facilities worldwide. A wide variety of offerings includes activities in health and wellness, sports and recreation, the arts, education and career development, and leadership and service. Installation programs may also collaborate with other youth-serving organizations, like the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and USDA 4-H programs.