Your child care choices as a military family
If you’re a military family, you have different child care options to help you. Military families can apply for child care scholarships through the Child Care Services (CCS) program, but they also may have additional options like:
- military-run program at duty station
- military child care fee assistance
The Department of Defense makes sure health and safety rules are followed in all military-run child care programs.
Additional child care options for military families
There are other child care financial assistance options that military families can consider besides the CCS program. These organizations may provide temporary child care assistance to help military families with child care costs. Review the resources below for additional child care options for military families.
Child Care in Your Home
Fee assistance pilot program to help military families with the cost of full-time child care in their own homes. Learn more.
Early Childhood Eligibility Screener
Free online tool that helps families see if they may qualify for free or low-cost early childhood education programs. Learn more.
Military Child Care
Information on military-run programs. Military families can search the full range of military child care options. Learn more.
Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood
Department of Defense and U.S. Coast Guard program for families who can’t get military child care due to distance or waitlists. Learn more.
Military One Source
Helps military families choose the best child care, find care near them, and see if they qualify for fee assistance. Learn more.
National Military Family Association
Provides free summer camp experiences for eligible children and has other resources for military families. Learn more.
Learn about other types of child care
A child care center is a place where many kids are cared for by trained adults. They usually have classrooms and take care of children of different ages. Children are usually separated by age groups.
Home-based child care is when a caregiver takes care of a group of children in their home. They are more of a family setting and take care of children of different ages. Siblings may be together rather than separated by age.
Public prekindergarten (Pre-k) is a free program for eligible children ages 3 to 5 (where it’s offered). It is available through the public school system. Pre-k helps kids get ready for school by learning important skills.
Early Head Start helps children from birth to 3 years old, and pregnant women. Head Start helps children ages 3 to 5. Both programs offer free services and child development support for families who qualify.
School-age and summer camps are for children who are in school, usually ages 5 to 12. These programs may take care of kids before and after school, on school breaks, and during the summer.
Relative child care is when a relative family member takes care of a child, usually in their own home but sometimes in the child’s home. Only certain relatives can provide this care. The relative must pass background checks, have their home inspected, and be listed with HHSC CCR.