Child Care

Children, infants to 12 years of age 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 however evening, weekend and flexible hourly care is 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 accreditations from the National Association of Family Child Care and are provided local support, training and materials to accomplish this goal. Please contact the local Community Child Care Coordinator for updates 334-416-2220.

Military families may request childcare by visiting MilitaryChildCare.com. This Department of Defense website serves all military families seeking childcare (including Child Development Centers, Family Child Care and school-age care programs) and provides 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 childcare.

Child Development Centers (CDC)

The Maxwell-Gunter Child Development (CDC) Program provides quality care for military and civilian children ages 6 weeks to 5 years (or until they start kindergarten). The program consists of two child development centers, one at Maxwell and one at Gunter Annex. Parents interested in contacting the programs may call 334-953-6667 or DSN 312- 493-6667 for the Maxwell CDC, or 334-416-3185 or DSN 312-596-3185 for the Gunter CDC.

School Age Program (SAP)

Both Maxwell and Gunter Youth Programs provide School-age Care. For more information on the Maxwell School-age Program, please call 334-953-6292 or DSN 312-493-6292. The Maxwell Program offers before and After School Care and summer/holiday camps. The Gunter School-age Program offers after-school care and summer/holiday camps. For more information on the Gunter Program, call 334-416-1427 or DSN 312-596-1427. Both School-age Programs are accredited by the Council on Accreditation.

The Maxwell-Gunter Child Development (CDC) Program provides quality care for children of military members, DoD civilians, and contractors. and civilian children. Care is offered from ages 6 weeks to 5 years (or until they start kindergarten). The program consists of two child development centers, one at Maxwell and one at Gunter Annex. Both centers are certified by the Department of Defense and are accredited with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Parents interested in contacting the programs may call 334-953-6667 or DSN 312-493-6667 for the Maxwell CDC, or 334-416-3185 or DSN 312-596-3185 for the Gunter CDC. Priority and respite care are available on a case-by-case basis and must be coordinated with the CDC staff.

Hours of Operation

The Child Development Centers are open from 6:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. All programs are closed on federal holidays. Organizations can request the centers to be open for evening care if certain requirements are met.

Eligibility

The child development programs are available for active duty military, Department of Defense Civilians and Non-appropriated Fund Civilian Employees, DoD contractors, Active Duty Reservists, and city, state, and federal employees.

Registration

Personnel who are relocating to Maxwell-Gunter AFB may request care by visiting military childcare website https://www.militarychildcare.cnic.navy.mil/mcc-consumer/home/viewhome.action. 

Programs Offered

• Full-time care: This program offers up to 10 hours of care per day, Monday - Friday, for children 6 weeks-5 years of age.
• Hourly care is available for children 6 weeks-5 years old on space available only. The fee for hourly care is $5.00 per hour. Reservations must be made.

Costs

The cost of full-time care is based on Total Family Income. 

Waiting List

There may be waiting lists in each of the programs. Priority status changes based on the priority and age of the child. Note: It usually takes longer to get infant care than other age groups.

Give Parents a Break

The Maxwell-Gunter Programs offers this service once a month, alternating locations. The dates are located on 42fss.us.  Cost is $20 per child.  Reservations must be made one week in advance and there must be a minimum of eight children signed up for this program for the centers to be open.

For families who are dealing with stressful situations in their lives, the Air Force Aid Society can help. Referrals must be made by commanders, first sergeants, Family Support/Family Advocacy, a medical advisor, chaplain, or CDC directors.

Child Care for PCS

The Maxwell Relocation Assistance Program offers the Child Care for PCS Program sponsored by the Air Force Aid Society. This program is intended to help relieve some of the stress felt by families in the process of a PCS move. The Air Force Aid Society will pay up to 20 hours of childcare per child in certified Family Child Care homes or the CDC/Youth Center on base. Families with PCS orders are eligible to receive a certificate from the Maxwell Military and Family Readiness Center relocation staff for use within 60 days of the family's arrival at the base.