Child Care

The Family Child Care program offers training and certification to military spouses so that they may provide child care in their base quarters. FCC providers offer flexible child care hours and a small, intimate environment for a child's early development. Ratio for infant care up to 24 months is 3:1. For children 24 months and older, ratio is 6:1. Meals are based on USDA guidelines. For more information on becoming a FCC provider, call 760-830-3349.

The FCC provides a wide-range of care for children, ages newborn through twelve-years-old. The FCC certifies homes in the different on-base housing areas, as well as the off-base military housing communities and in the local community. For more information, call 760-830-3349.

There are two Child Development Centers aboard the installation: Stepping Stones and New Horizons.

Stepping Stones is located in building 1089. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It offers full-time care for infants and toddlers. For more information regarding this facility, contact Resource and Referral at 760-830-3349.

New Horizons is located in building 694. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It offers full-time care for 3 and 4-year-old children, and it offers before and after school care for children in K-6. For more information regarding this facility, contact Resource and Referral 760-830-3349.

Costs

Fees for child care programs are based on total family income. Leave and Earnings Statement must be provided to verify service member's income. If the spouse is working, the most recent W2 will be used to determine income.

Eligibility

Eligible patrons include military personnel; DOD civilian personnel paid from appropriated funds and non appropriated funds, active duty Coast Guard, reservists on active duty or during inactive duty for training, and DOD contract personnel who are performing mission-related duty aboard the installation. Retirees may be eligible when a wait-list does not exist and space is available.

Enrollment Criteria

All CDC programs shall maintain files on all children who are enrolled in these programs.

Child development components include:

• Copy of Family Care Plan (if applicable)
• Health Assessment
• Current Immunization Record
• Child Release & Emergency Information
• Special Needs Evaluation Review Team meeting (if applicable)
• Request for Care (Form DD2606)
• Field Trip/ Walk/ Photo Permission Forms
• Medical Power of Attorney
• Computer/ Internet Usage Form (youth and teens)
• Administration of Prescription Medication (if applicable)

Wait List

If there is a waiting list for childcare, the individual installation commander may establish a more specific enrollment priority system. In all cases, a priority shall be given to full time care for children of active duty military and DOD civilian personnel who are: single parents, active duty dual military parents, a spouse who is employed on a full-time basis outside the home or enrolled as a full-time student.

The Resource & Referral office, located in building 692, serves as the central enrollment registry for all eligible patrons seeking CDC care. R&R is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

School-Age Care offered at New Horizons Child Development Center is for children who are in grades K-6 and are attending either Condor Elementary (on-base) or 29 Palms Elementary (off-base). For more information call 760-830-3349.