Child Care

FCC homes are licensed by the Mission Support Group Commander and must meet the standards outlined in AFI 34-144. The FCC program serves children ages birth to 12 years and has homes located both on and off base. A variety of services are offered including full-time, part-time, weekend, drop-in, swing-shift and before and after school care. Visit militarychildcare.com to learn more. 

Child Development Center - DSN: 314-452-6697, or Comm: +49 06565 61 6697.

The CDC follows the philosophy and standards of NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children). The NAEYC accreditation follows the belief that the use of developmentally appropriate practices will stimulate all areas of development for our children. The Spangdahlem CDC is accredited by NAEYC. The Spangdahlem CDC is also Air Force certified and utilizes developmentally appropriate practices to stimulate all areas of development for our young children, from six weeks to five years of age.

The Spangdahlem CDC is located in Bldg 443 and provides full-day care for children 6 weeks to 5 years of age. 

Costs 

Fees are established in accordance with the Air Force fee policy and calculated based on total family income.

Programs Offered

Following is list of programs available at the CDCs:

• Hourly Care/Drop-In care is provided on a space available basis.
• Full-Time Care - for children ages six weeks to five years of age.

Registration

Parents may place their child on the CDC waiting list one month prior to arriving in country by faxing a DD Form 2606 and a copy of orders to the CDC,(DSN Fax: 314-452-9045/ Comm from stateside: +49 6565 61 9045). Please contact the CDC to confirm wait list placement. Please visit militarychildcare.com for more information. 

You must contact the CDC and/or School Age Program upon arrival in country. Shot records are required at both centers.

Priority Care for CDC and School Age Program (SAP)

The CDC and SAP programs are established for children 6 weeks through 12 years of age. Eligibility and priority are established through Air Force Instructions 34-144. Priorities are as follows:

• Priority 1:  Child and Youth Program Caregivers
• Priority 2:  Single and Dual Military Families
• Priority 3:  Dual Employed Families* or Single Parent DoD Civilian
• Priority 4:  Families in which one member is either Active Duty or DoD Civilian and the spouse is a volunteer
• Priority 5:  Families in which one member is either Active Duty or DoD Civilian and the spouse is not working and all other eligible patrons

*Dual employed families have either an active duty military member or a DoD civilian with a working spouse, or spouse that is a full time student (12 class hours weekly with proof of enrollment). 

NOTE: Due to the lack of off-base child care providers, it is highly recommended that you take action on securing child care before you move to Spangdahlem. We encourage you to contact the Child Development Center or School Age Program as soon as you know you have orders so your children can be placed on the appropriate wait list. Please visit militarychildcare.com for more information.

The Family Child Care (FCC) Program provides another option. FCC caregivers and homes are certified and available for full-time, part-time, weekend, drop-in, swing-shift and before and after school care. Please visit militarychildcare.com for more information.

Due to the lack of off-base child care facilities, it is highly recommended that you think about taking action on child care issues before your move to Spangdahlem. We encourage you contact the Child Development Center (DSN 314-452-6697 or Comm: +49 6565 61 6697) and/or the School Age Program (DSN 314-452-7545; Comm: +49 6565 61 7545) as soon as you have orders so your children can be placed on the appropriate waiting list. Spangdahlem AB also has a Family Child Care (FCC) program that strives to meet the diverse needs of the military community. Visit militarychildcare.com for more information about child care registration and wait list instructions.  

FCC Subsidy Program - This program allows military members and DoD civilians to pay their FCC providers the same fee as if they were enrolled in one of the Child Development Centers or School Age Programs. This is for full-time care (35-50 hours per week).

Extended Duty Care (EDC) - Parents may request the use of this program when their child care needs temporarily extend beyond their normal child care arrangements due to military mission related requirements. Call the FCC office for information on how to sign up for this program.

Returning Home Care (RHC) - Military members returning home from deployments of 30 days or longer are eligible for 16 hours of free child care. Contact the CDC for more information: DSN 314-452-6697 or Comm: +49 6565 61 6697

PCS Care - Families PCSing to or from Spangdahlem AB are eligible to receive 20 hours of free child care, to be used within 60 days of departure or arrival. Spouses and Servicemembers can receive the Child Care Certificate by bringing a copy of PCS orders in to the Military and Family Readiness Center. Contact the M&FRC for more information: DSN: 314-452-6422 or Comm: +49 6565 61 6422

The SAP is for children 5 (enrolled in kindergarten) to 12 years old. Before school care, after school care or both are available. Summer brings full day programs for the children, where they are involved in many activities such as trips to visit castles, zoos, parks and swimming pools in the German community. When not taking trips, programs that keep the kids busy include arts and crafts, reading and math centers, sports and fitness and walking to nearby parks. There is also an outdoor basketball court and several baseball fields to allow the kids to exercise and enjoy the nice weather.

The School Age Care Program is open Monday-Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Hourly care is provided on a space available basis.

Call DSN 314-452-7545 or COMM: +49 6565 61 7545 for more information. 

Give Parents A Break (GPAB) Program: The Air Force Aid Society recognizes that Air Force families are subject to unique stresses due to the nature of military life, such as deployments, remote tours of duty, frequent moves, etc. The GPAB Program is designed to offer eligible parents a break from the daily stressors of parenting. Child care is provided at the base Child Development/Youth Centers. 

Certificates may be issued if a parent is feeling stress due to:

• The military member being deployed, on an extended TDY or on a remote tour of duty
• A family crises or emergency such as a serious illness of a family member, death in the family, extended illness of a family member, birth of a new baby, etc.
• Having a child with special needs
• Unique circumstances or hardships

Certificates for GPAB participation can be issued by: Squadron Commanders, First Sergeants, Chaplains, Medical Professionals, FAP, Child Development Center and Youth Center Directors and the Military & Family Readiness Center.

GPAB is offered once a month for four hours.