Family Child Care Handbook A guide to Family Child Care on
Table of Contents Welcome 3 Resource & Referral 3 Frequently Asked Questions 4 What is Family Child Care? 4 What Does Licensing Mean? 4 How Can I Get Licensed? 4 What are the Advantages of a Licensed FCC Provider? 5 Welcome Thank you for inquiring about JBER s Family Child Care (FCC) Program. We understand that choosing a child care environment for your child is a big decision. The JBER FCC Program offers a variety of child care options to meet your needs. Our providers offer care for infants, toddlers, preschool, and school age children. This handbook is designed to answer some questions you may have regarding this program. Please contact our office at 552-3995 for additional information. Are All Providers the Same? 5 Tips for Selecting an FCC Provider 6 & 7 FCC Provider Information 7 FCC Program Information 8 & 9 Child Abuse Prevention 10 & 11 Resource & Referral The Resource & Referral Office is located in building 600. Information regarding off base resources is also available. For assistance call 907-384-7483. 2 3
Frequently Asked Questions What is Family Child Care? Family Child Care is care provided for a child in a home other than his/her own by an adult other than the child s parent. Individuals who provide care on a regular basis or 10 hours or more per week must be licensed. What does Licensing Mean? A licensed provider has met all requirements determined by Air Force Standards and FCC Panel to offer child care services within base quarters. The license is granted by the Mission Support Group Commander and can be revoked if these guidelines are not consistently met. Providers are required to be certified in CPR, and First Aid, have current immunizations for all family members and pets, receive clearances from Security Forces, Family Advocacy, OSI, Mental Health & ADAPT, and the Family Child Care Office. Providers must also pass home inspections for Fire, Health, Safety, and FCC program prior to initial and annual licensing. The Family Child Care coordinator conducts monthly unannounced visits to the home to ensure compliance with these guidelines. How can I get Licensed? Licensing classes are scheduled monthly at the FCC Office. Contact the office at 552-3995 for information about the next orientation and training session. The program continues to grow in positive directions and we are always looking for new members to join the family! The FCC program is always looking for providers who are able to provide care during swing, weekend care, and evening shifts. If you are able to provide care during these hours, please be sure to tell us when you call to sign up for class. What are the advantages of a Licensed FCC Provider? Licensed Family Child Care offers many advantages. One of the most important is the assurance that the licensee is aware of and must follow FCC regulations. A FCC home is often better suited to accommodate those children who require individualized attention, such as infants, toddlers, children with special needs, and family groupings. Licensed providers do not discriminate against individuals based on ethnic, race, or cultural backgrounds. Family Child Care offers a variety of child care options. Our providers offer part time, full time, before and after school care, evenings, weekends, and 24 hour care to children between two weeks and 12 years of age. Are all providers the same? Each provider operates under AFI 34-276 and must follow program guidelines. FCC homes, however, are independent businesses and may differ. Fees vary among providers with averages between $130 - $170 per week for full time child care. Each provider is required to sign a Parent Agreement with parents. Each provider offers an individualized program designed around their family, personality, space, and child development philosophy. The child care setting you choose will become your child s home away from home. We strongly encourage parents to interview several providers, and visit their home before making this important decision. 4 5
Tips for Selecting a FCC Provider Tips for Selecting a FCC Provider Cont d. 1. Trust your instincts. You know your child and your needs best. Continue searching for just the right match. 2. Visit the home for an interview. Providers may do this after business hours to limit disruption of the daily routine. Ask if you can visit briefly during the day to see how the business operates. 3. Does the provider make you and your child feel welcome in the home? Do the other children appear happy, calm, and content with their environment? 9. Parents can ask to review the feedback from the last three home assessments. 10. Ask the provider for names of other parents who have used their services to check references. 11. If any situation arises that makes you feel uncomfortable, ask more detailed questions. If you are not satisfied with the answer, keep looking. 4. Does the provider seem calm, and gentle? Do they get down to the children s level when speaking to them? 5. Ask the provider about the policies regarding guidance and discipline, toilet training, meals and snacks, payments, and activities. 6. During the visit, is the provider aware of the children at all times? Do the children remain a priority throughout the visit? 7. What is the daily schedule? What training has the provider had in curriculum planning? 8. Is the housekeeping up to your standards? Look for evidence of good hygiene and sanitary conditions. FCC Provider Information The Family Child Care staff maintains a current listing of all provider openings. This list can be obtained from the Military and Family Support Center, Family Advocacy, the Child Development Centers, the Preschool, School Age Program, Youth Center, and the Arctic Oasis Community Center. The list is updated monthly for distribution and daily in the FCC Office. If you would like more assistance or information, please contact our office at 552-3995. We look forward to helping you have a positive child care experience. 6 7
FCC Program Information Expanded Child Care Program This is a program which offers care for: Child care needed beyond the regular duty day or beyond the hours normally provided by your regular child care provided such as during exercises for Active Duty. Military members returning from deployments of 30 days or more. Care for drill weekends for Guard/Reserve Members. Call the FCC Office for more details. PCS Care Families who are new to JBER or within 30 days of leaving are eligible for 20 hours of no cost child care sponsored by the Air Force Aid Society, through one of our licensed homes. To obtain your Certificate of Eligibility, contact the Military and Family Support Center at 552-4943. FCC Program Information Cont d. Subsidized Child Care The Family Child Care Subsidy Program has been established to assist working parents in finding quality, available, and affordable child care in FCC homes by sharing the cost of their child care fees. Under this program, parents of designated age groups will pay FCC fees according to their Total Family Income (TFI), which is the same method used in JBER Child Development Centers. There are a limited number of homes enrolled in this program. Therefore, there are limited number of spaces available. For more information call 552-3995. Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve members are eligible for the above programs while they are on orders. Volunteer Care Individuals who volunteer for non-profit agencies on base are eligible for no cost child care sponsored by the Air Force Aid Society, during the hours they volunteer through one of our licensed homes. For information on volunteer opportunities, call the Military and Family Support Center at 552-4943. 8 9
Child Abuse Prevention Family Child Care Providers play a key role in the community child abuse detection and prevention programs. By law and regulation, our providers are required to report observed marks, injuries, or unusual behaviors. If the problems could be related to abuse or neglect, the provider must contact the Family Child Care office and a member of the Family Advocacy Office. Parents cannot and will not be notified before this action should be taken. It is the responsibility of the investigative agency to examine the child, contact the parents and determine what course of action should be taken. Strict confidentiality is required on the part of the provider and the Family Child Care Staff. We ask you to be understanding of our role in this process. Not only must we report all cases by we would rather report a case and have it turned out to be unfounded than to hesitate and allow a truly abusive situation to continue. To avoid any confusion or misunderstanding, be sure to point out to the provider any existing cuts, bruises, bumps, or injuries, when your child first arrives each day. Every measure is taken to assure the safety of your child. The following procedures will be followed: Children will not be left alone at any time. Children will not be left with family members or any other person who is not a licensed provider. When more than one child is in the bathroom (for hand washing) the door will remain open for easy viewing by provider. When using the toilet, only one child is allowed in the bathroom at one time. All providers receive annual child abuse prevention training. Child Abuse Prevention Cont d. All providers and their family members must have annual background checks. The providers must be trained annually in acceptable guidance methods. If you or another parent suspects any child abuse or neglect, in any way, in the Family Child Care Home, report it immediately to the Family Advocacy office at 580-5858. Additional child abuse prevention information is available at the Family Child Care Office. There is a Department of Defense national hotline for individuals to report suspected child abuse or safety violations at military Child Development Centers or Family Child Care Homes. The hot-line is house in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Family Support, Education, and Safety) Office of Family Policy and Support. The telephone number is 1-877-790-1197. 10 11
Family Child Care 5091 10th St. JBER, AK 99506 (907)552-3995 Renewed 9-17-13