Family Child Care

Family Child Care (FCC) provides families with a wonderful alternative to large group childcare! FCC providers are licensed by the Air Force and provide high-quality childcare services in their own homes on base or nearby in the local community. Extensive training and direct oversight of each program assists providers in growing as professionals while offering care in a nurturing home environment.

There is a requirement to be a licensed in order to provide childcare in base housing. Contact the FCC office at (505) 846-1802 to obtain an application packet. Complete and return the packet, and you are ready to attend an orientation class! Training in CPR, First Aid, child guidance, health and nutrition, and basic business operations will be provided during this class – once completed you will have all of the tools you need to get started running your own business!

Providers have specific guidelines to follow to become a licensed Air Force Family Child Care Provider. A part of this process is to ensure that they have all of the proper paperwork and documentation on each of the children, and that is where you, as the parent, come in. Prior to your child being admitted into a home, you must provide:

Completed AF Form 1181, “Youth Flight Patron Registration”, on each child.
Completed AF Form 357 for dual/single military parent(s)
Medical information for each child, permission to treat emergencies signed by the parent(s), child’s allergies, chronic illness and other known health problems and immunizations (recorded on the AF form 1181)
Signed permission from the parents for the provider to take children on field trips and in a vehicle.
A daily sign-in/out record, complete with parents signature, dates and times, child(ren) were signed in/out of the program. USDA Food Program

Small settings with personalized care
Familiar home environment
Mixed age groups allow children to learn from each other
Parents who have more than one child can utilize one child care setting
Accepts children with chronic health problems, including HIV positive children
Flexible scheduling and fees
Close relationships established between provider and family
“Real life” learning environment

Children as young as 2 weeks through 12 years old
Night time or extended hours
Children with chronic health problems, including HIV-positive children

Hours and compensation are negotiated between providers and parents. For a current listing of providers, contact the FCC coordinator at (505) 846-1802. A listing of providers is also available at the Family Support Center, Pediatrics Clinic, Child Development Center, and Youth Center.

Tips When Selecting A Provider

Ask to see the home, and don’t be afraid to ask questions about things that interest you or concern you.
Not every home will be a good match for you, your child, or the provider. Spend some time sharing information to determine if your goals and needs coordinate with the provider’s program.
Read the contract thoroughly. If there is something in the contract that you disagree with, discuss with the Provider. Make sure all changes are in writing. If they are not willing to make compromises, decide whether you can live with the decision and if you cannot, find another provider that better fits your needs.
Visit the home during child care hours. Are the children playing happily? Are they clean? Are the children doing the activities that are posted on the schedule? Does your child seem comfortable in that setting?
It is a requirement of the program that a signed contract between the provider and the parent is accomplished prior to care being provided. The contract will include hours of operation, fees, payment schedule, vacation policies, sick leave and absences, responsibility for alternate care, and a termination policy.

If for any reason you have issues or concerns about your provider or a prospective provider and the care he/she is providing, please contact the Family Child Care Coordinator at (505) 846-1802. Parent Responsibilities

Subsidy Program

Subsidy is a program provided by the Air Force that “buys down” the cost of childcare for families with children enrolled in Air Force Child Development Centers or Family Child Care homes. Parents pay the same fees that they would pay if their children were enrolled in the CDC. Fees are based on total family income.

Extended Duty Child Care

This special child care program is designed to assist parents whose work schedules temporarily require child care beyond the hours of the CDC and school-age program. This additional care is provided in a specifically contracted licensed FCC home. Arrangements must be coordinated with the CDC and the FCC office. The FCC coordinator can provide detailed information about this service.

Child Care for PCS

Up to 20 hours of child care per child is available to assist families during the relocation process. This program is open to all ranks and is offered through the Air Force Aid Society. Care is arranged in a licensed FCC home. Contact the Family Support Center at (505) 846-0741/0751 for more information.

Returning Home Care

Active duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve members returning to their home stations after deployments of a minimum of 30 calendar days or personnel who routinely deploy on a short-term basis (cumulative of 30 days in a six month period) in support of contingency operations, we will receive 16 hours of child care per child (12 years and under) FREE. Child care is offered in the EDC homes. Each member may use no more than 16 hours of care per child per six-month period.

Child Care for Volunteers

Base volunteers may be eligible for free childcare during the times that they are volunteering.

Kirtland Family Child Care is a sponsor of the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Child Care Food Program in family day care homes.

The Child Care Food Program is a federally funded USDA program that reimburses child care providers for serving nutritious meals and snacks to enrolled, eligible children. Meals will be available at no separate charge to all participants, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. The Child Care Food Program encourages children to build healthy habits for life.

Family day care home providers who wish to enroll their own children in the Child Care Food Program in their home must complete an income statement and be determined eligible based on income at or below the reduced-price income eligibility guidelines.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy, all institutions that participate in the Child Care Food Program are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 or toll free at (866) 632-9992 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Becoming an FCC Provider

We are happy to have applicants who want to take care of children in their base home. This is both a challenging and rewarding experience for all involved. The Family Child Care Provider is a vital and important part to Kirtland AFB. The providers can take care of children in their home which allows Military members and base personnel to contribute to the mission. Family Child Care Providers should be dependable, understanding, flexible, and nurturing. They should possess the ability to juggle schedules, plan activities, keep records, cook nutritious meals, and run a business. We will be happy to provide support, guidance, and training to help you through the licensing process.

The following steps outline the process for obtaining a Family Child Care (FCC) License at Kirtland AFB.

Pick up an application packet from the FCC Office. Included in the packet is an application, forms for reference, medical requirements, background screening information, and other needed documentation. We would be glad to sit and talk with you about the whole process and help with your application.
Each applicant requires a family interview. The FCC Coordinator will visit your home when your sponsor and children are present. The interview allows the family members to ask questions about the Air Force requirements. It is also an opportunity for the FCC Coordinator to learn more about the applicant and the space available in the home for child care purpose.
Orientation Training what will contain the following areas:

- Discussion of home inspections and checklists
- Business aspects of FCC
- CPR and First Aid Training
- Fire Safety
- Food Handlers/Serve Safe Training and Sanitation
- Child guidelines and Appropriate Discipline
- Obtaining the appropriate insurance
- Child Abuse Detection, Prevention, and Reporting
- Developmentally Appropriate Practice
- Daily Schedules and Activity Plans
- Virtual Lab School Training (VLS)
- Knowledge and Implementation of Air Force Instruction

The applicant’s home must pass yearly and monthly Safety, Public Health, Fire, and FCC Program Inspection.
The applicant’s records will be reviewed by the Family Child Care Panel once all licensing steps have been completed. The following information is needed prior to going before the panel.

- CNACI Background Check/Installations Record Check and Fingerprinting
- Fire, Safety, and Public Health Inspections
- Proof of Liability Insurance
- Proof of Car Insurance
- Proof of Education (High School Diploma or GED)
- Completion of Orientation Training
- Reference Checks
- Family Interview
- Completion of VLS Child Abuse and Guidance training tracks