Any Military Providers???

[Nickel]

Breezy, i too think you are lucky! Right now my hubby is on recruiting so there is no comparison with his hours.. But I know a typical Marine Corps day is 7:30-4:30 but MWF are pt days and that can start anywhere from 530-7am depending on the unit. I know every place is unit. Maybe I'll get lucky since this is an air force training base and most of the personnel here is either an instructor or a student guess I'll just have to wait and see what comes my way.

Thats bs on what your husbands superior did poot. I think I would have termed him if they hadn't termed themselves. Thats one of the reasons I don't want to take kids whose parents are in my husbands command. He's at a rank where he's not the low man on the totem pole but he could still be above or below other ranks. I don't want to get into a situation where I'm caring for kids and he's the boss or i'm caring for his boss's kids. Either way is just not a good situation to be in. especially if something goes south in either relationship. I'd rather just skip it all together.

But for now I'm glad I won't be worried about that. I'm hoping I can get away with nine hour days, but i'm not going to expect anything right now. I guess it will all depend on who wants my services...

[Buxterboo]

I just got set up with AF FCC last month.

As far as my base goes:
*We can make any hours we want. we can accept/reject anyone we want.
*Pets ARE regulated for FCC licensing. Cannot be near the children at any time. (that my be my insurance tho... not sure...)
*If you accept subsidy (i reccomend looking into this because many families cannot afford day care rates with out assistance) then the subsidy will allow 50 hr/week (10hrs/day) MAX. anything over that comes out of parents pocket. *YOU pick your hourly rate.
*YOU get to make your own contract (they give you a general one that has been cleared by Legal, and you edit to fit your needs)
*You can have a max of 6 children. ONLY 2 can be under 2 years old at any one time. YOUR children (under the age of 8) count in your ratios and must follow FCC rules re: sleeping, being with the group and not in separate rooms, food, etc

All of this is just what I have learned from my training last month. Supposedly ALL Air Force FCC homes are supposed to go by this stuff (I cant tell you that for sure, since this is my first time/first base )

Also, I LOVE this website and the providers on here!!! I have gotten some great ideas and lots of support so far!
Good luck, I hope you like it. Its seems like alot of stuff at first, but its not bad once you get started!

[Buxterboo]

Oh, and I Second
"Rank stays at the door!"
Im not military, so dont treat me like a troop/airman/marine/whatever.
I learned that its ok to feel this way by someone on here (I think it was breezy!)

[Nickel]

buxterboo, how long did it take you to get set up. Right now I'm trying to get my high school transcripts. I have no idea where my diploma is and my school doesn't give out duplicates. FCC program won't take my college transcripts so I'm trying to get my high school ones but they charge a fee but I can't pay over the phone or online. So I'm trying to get a hold of my mom to see if she will physically go to the school and get them but I swear she is avoiding my calls.

is the subsidy through the base or the state?I know here where I am I have to be operating for six months before the state will evaluate me for their star program and then the subsidy program. It goes hand in hand I think. I didn't read every word, but that was what I got out of it. I'll ask when I go in next week. I know they said something about infants but I just can't remember it for the life of me. Something like the base provides subsidy up to age two...

As for ratios, I personally would only take one infant. I know in a daycare setting it's 4 to 1 but that's all the same age, not multiple ages. Honestly I'm looking at taking one or two ages 2-4 but might consider one infant and one toddler. Then if it goes well I'm considering two sa. That would give me my toddler, two young dck and two school age dck and my ten year old. But I may just say forget it and only take one or two toddlers and that's it. Here there is a max of six but no minimum. And right now the program is struggling to keep providers. It seems they go through all their traiing, get their license and decide not to be affiliated with the base

As for pets, I know they need shots and I woudln't let them around the kids regardless, but did you have to get a behavioral assessment form? I never heard of that before, so wasn't sure.

thanks for the advice. I too love the wealth of information on this sight and everyone seems super helpful!!!

[Buxterboo]

The subsidy is through the Air Force (its the same subsidy they use for the CDC on base).
It took me about 2-3 weeks, but that is only because I was able to get all my education done in large blocks. You will have to have the 20-24 hrs of education (provided by the FCC program). The thing that took the longest was waiting for the inspections. Basically I had all my education done in a week, then i had to wait a week for my official inspection, then another week for my application to go to the board for final approval (they only do that once a month here).

It is a bit of a process, but I think its worth it. The FCC on base should even have a "lending area" to help you get started with fruniture, books, toys, art stuff, etc. you just tun it in when you are done being a provider. One of the things I like least is the amount of paperwork we are required to do. It seems very overwhelming in the begining, but once you get the hang of it, its not too bad.

If you'd like, I can send you the inspection checklist and the info that I have on my computer so you can get started on getting your house ready while you are waiting for your HS transcript. Also, they should be abke to send you a copy for free. Only an "official" copy should cost money. I was able to give the FCC my "unofficial" copy and they were fine with that... maybe you can ask if that would be good enough.

ETA: If you want the paperwork I have just PM me your email address Most of the info is Air Force wide so it will apply any where in the US. You might have more base specific stuff also.

[Nickel]

I do remember the lending library. I went with a friend of mine last yr or the yr before but she decided not to do it. If i remember correctly she could get yard toys ride ons craft supplies books toys shelves etc from the base but. She had to purchase the bulletin board and other small items. For the subsidy do you just get a check from the base? Im also thinking of accepting state subsidy after i get established. But not hundred percent sure on that yet.

I would love the docs. I sent you a pm i looked for info but everything i found basically says contact x person at x. I ve decided to just call the school board monday and go talk to her. Maybe i can at least schedule training pending my diploma. And i guess ill need to find a sitter while i do the training. I forgot all abiut thT. But i too think it will be worth it. Especially to have a mentor and to borrow the supplies.

And i had a question. I wanted to corner off a.section of my yard. Theres a patio area about 10x10. I wanted to fence it off so my dogs cant get in and kids cant get out and then place stepping stones from my back door to the play area. I have the foam mats and would like to make that our outdoor area. Will that be big enough or do i need the entire yard? Right now i can fit the san box and a small sslide or.climbing toy and a ride on or two and id like to get those canopy covers to put over it once i get some money in. Will that suffice for outdoor area?

[Buxterboo]

I was told that my "out door" area could be a park within walking distance because I have no outside toys They just want the kiddos to be able to get active play. So if your plan is to walk to a local park and play on the gym stuf everyday, then I would assume youll be ok (of course you know what happens when you assume... )

Maybe you can put up a fence in the back corner for the dogs and just pen them up when you bring the kids out? I dont have any pets so im not too clear on the pet rules. I think alot of it has to do with your insurance provider.

[unregistered]

Its not so much sharing the yardwiththe dogs at the Same time. Its more keeping the dogs and hair and waste and dirt out of the kids area. The hard has been their domain so j don't want them thinking they can spotty in my new play area or eat the toys. And I don't want to be out scooping pool at five am everyday. While the kids are here the dogs will be crated in their own room in the house. I wouldn't want to take the risknof either the dogs or the kids getting g hurrt. I hate this keyboard sorry. Theclosest park is seven blocks away and no sidewalk and id have to cross a somewhat busy street sonot sure how comfortable id be doing that everyday

[Unregistered]

Ok I have a question
I'm looking into becoming a home care provider and was wondering would I be able to have my husbands family over for about a week?
His dad drinks alot i don't know how that would work while having other kids in my home

[LysesKids]

Ok I have a question
I'm looking into becoming a home care provider and was wondering would I be able to have my husbands family over for about a week?
His dad drinks alot i don't know how that would work while having other kids in my home

In most states anyone in the home over a certain age (it varies) has to be background checked... this includes visitors or out of town family that stay for a any length of time in your home. Personally the drinking tells me right off it's not a good idea for them to stay with you... put them in a hotel and explain that you can visit after work hours.

[KidGrind]

I am on post so take this with a grain of salt...

Most military families expect the 5-5 or 6-6 daycare schedule at the price of a regular 9 hour day. It's just the lifestyle. I had to choke that down. It ****s honestly. A lot of my military interviews are from single parents or dual military. I am hoping for a family where the non soldier goes in at 8 am...LOL. Hasn't happened yet.

As for pets, we have to take our dog to the vet to have a behavior assessment and then the vet has to sign off on him, even though he is crated while children are here at all times. Banned breeds are non negotiable.

But honestly, daycare around a military base is grossly underpaid for the hours and availability they work. Once you are FCC certified you will be paid on a sliding schedule by income categories. I was told I have no choice. I can take a e3's child for 350$ a month and then be paid 600$ a month by a o-5 for the same hours/childs age. And if I "rank" shop as my director put it, she will shut my daycare down.

All in all, it's a pain. Really it is. And you will always have your rates compared to the centers. Though they are more expensive for higher ranks the lower, the lower ranks seem to want to pay HALF of what the center charges because "well you're just baby sitting and this isn't really a job!"

And yea, I was told that recently...

I have been an Army provider. Yes a client may be a category 3 paying you $313 per month. However, the subsidy I received each month from parent saving was $35.00 and fee equity subsidy was $256.00. So I’d receive $604 per month for that child.

A category 9 would pay me $579 per month. I would receive a parent saving of $65 each month. So I’d receive $644 per month for that child.

$604 was the minimum I made per child and the max was $644. $40 per month wasn’t a big enough difference for me to discriminate. All military FCC providers should be receiving subsidy.

I think being a military providers can be a great foundation to start out being a in-home provider. I think once your put through the woes of being a military provider, you can make it anywhere as a provider (as long as their are clientele to walk through your doors).

A lot of commands due to laziness do not give their providers the subsidy they deserve.

[Unregistered]

I've read over a ton of posts and seen many many ppl allow a max of ten hours per day... So I was wondering if any providers are involved with the FCC program on base or if they watch military children?

I ask this because my daughter was in daycare sometimes from drop off to pick up 6-6 and I there were times that I couldn't leave work until the absolute last minute and times I had to be at work at 615am... This was one of the reasons I decided to be a sahm when my youngest was born. because I rarely saw my oldest daughter while I was on active duty.

Sooo, my husband is military and I am going to be registering with the FCC program at our base although I don't reside on base. This is the first place i've been that allows providers to be affiliated with the base and live off base... Its hard to explain. In any case, the director of the program is wonderful and is very helpful. I'm allowed to contract any age I want but my hours will be wonky! I now there will be days that drop off will be at 6am and days where it could be 730am. and pick up will be just as varied depending on how late parents work, etc...

So I was planning on just doing weekly rates for ft and pt care. So 0-25 hours per work is part time at x amount and 26+ hours is full time at x amount. I was thinking $125/week for children over 2 ft and $75/week for pt. And I was considering taking school agers in the fall at 40 or 50 per week. not sure yet though.

I'm a little hesitant about taking infants as I want to be able to get up and go and I am thinking an infant would be much harder to lug around with my almost three year old in tow. I was sort of hoping to keep the ages closer together, like one or two 2-4 year old and maybe two school agers (my kids are 10 and 2). This would give me about $1400/mnth and I wouldn't have too many kids during the day even though the hours would be longish. (possibly)

and I was also thinking about accepting state subsidy but I'm having a hard time finding the information for the provider, everything I've found is for the parent to apply. I am going to talk to the FCC director on base next week, but I'm trying to get my high school diploma. It's required before I can complete any paperwork. the benefit of going through the fcc is that they do all the training free of charge, they list my services and refer me to miltiary mbrs needing care, they mandate 3hrs of training per month free, and provide cpr classes, art supplies, toys, books, and even loan outdoor play toys, furniture, book shelves, etc. I think they only think I actually have to pay for is my state fee of $35/yr. But they have tougher guidelines than the state, so I would be inspected by then and the state. Not a big deal because I feel if I'm doing the right thing it doesn't matter how much I'm inspected. She also works with new providers to get them all set up.

Anyway, I started rambling, i'm sorry. I was just wondering if there were other providers who accepted military personnel and if they limited them to ten hrs per day or charged extra or what their thoughts were. Do you also accept nonmilitary children and which would you prefer?

Sorry so long, look forward to hearing from you all~!

Hey there, I'm Navy and I'm pretty sure the Marines use the same program. The CYP program actually sets the rate for you....were I am at that is $220 for infants and $175 for toddlers as a flat weekly rate. The parents pay their portion and the CYP pays the rest. Once you go to an Orientation you'll learn all of this. But be warned, it has taken me over a year to get onto the FCC/CDH program due to the extensive background checks so you might be better off doing what you were talking about for now...however your rates could change once you become and FCC/CDH...some parents tuition could go up or down so take that into account for the parents (it won't effect you much since you'll get full pay either way).