Child Care for Every Situation

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Sean D. Smith
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Because of the unique scheduling that can arise from the demands of the mission, childcare is one more area where the military lifestyle can pose a challenge to parents. The wide variety of scenarios that can face parents because of military-specific events like deployments or guard weekends, it isn't always easy to find the exact childcare that's needed.

"The Family Child Care Program offers a wide variety of programs for military families," said Tracie Lindquist, Family Child Care Coordinator. "These programs have great benefits for families and need to be utilized."

There's a childcare offering for nearly every situation: pre-deployment care, extended duty care and missile care for families with parents who deploy. Sometimes all it takes is a copy of orders to get some free childcare, and there are multiple options for parents who work irregular duty hours. 

The newest child care program is a second missile care initiative to give more options to parents who are away from home for extended periods in the missile fields.

"It's for families that have a spouse out in the field and have medical appointments, workshops, or employment interviews to attend," Lindquist said. "These families do not have to be purchasing full-time care to use this program. The only requirement is that the spouse must be in the field during the time requested."

A diverse array of situations demands a diverse lineup of solutions, but while childcare programs are shaped around the needs of the parents, the focus is on children.

"Quality childcare is vital to the growth of your child; we want to grow strong, resilient children that can adapt to the lifestyle they lead," Lindquist said. "Military children are in a unique situation, and our military childcare systems are set up to give them the tools they need to become successful."

To find out and access the childcare program that fits their specific needs, parents are encouraged to visit the FCC office or call at 701-723-6662 to make an appointment to go over their options.

"If families choose to use the Child Development Center, School-Age Program or Family Child Care, their children are receiving the best care possible," Lindquist said. "The Air Force ensures the providers in all settings are well-trained and well-equipped to give our children the best learning environments around."