How do I find childcare when PCSing to a new base?

Start 6-12 months before your PCS. Get on the CDC waitlist at your gaining installation immediately after receiving orders. Contact Military OneSource (800-342-9647) for local childcare referrals. Search CubHelp for off-base options near your new installation. Register with your installation's Child Care Resource and Referral office. If the CDC is full, request a fee assistance subsidy for off-base care.

Military Family Services Guide

Q: How much does on-base childcare cost?

Military Child Development Centers (CDCs) use a sliding scale based on total family income. Costs range from $100-400 per week for full-time care, which is typically 20-40% below local civilian rates. Fees are standardized across all branches. Priority goes to dual-military families, single military parents, and wounded warriors. Waitlists can be 6-18 months.

Q: What is EFMP and how do I get therapy for my child?

The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) provides support for military families with special needs dependents including therapy coordination, assignment consideration (stationed where services exist), and respite care. Enroll through your installation's EFMP office. TRICARE covers ABA, speech, OT, and behavioral therapy. The ECHO program provides additional coverage beyond standard TRICARE limits.

Military families face unique childcare challenges: PCS moves every 2-3 years, deployment separations, non-standard duty hours, and the constant need to rebuild your support network at each new station. The military provides significant family services - but navigating what's available at each installation is confusing. This guide maps everything.

Your most important phone number: Military OneSource at 800-342-9647. Free, confidential, 24/7. They can connect you to childcare, therapy, family counseling, financial help, and community resources at any installation worldwide. Use them.

On-Base Childcare

Child Development Centers (CDCs)

Every major installation has a CDC providing full-time childcare for ages 6 weeks to 5 years. These are DoD-certified, NAEYC-accredited facilities with military-trained staff.

Income Level	Weekly Cost (approx)	Compared to Civilian
E1-E4 (junior enlisted)	$100-175/week	40-60% below civilian
E5-E6	$150-225/week	30-50% below civilian
E7-E9 / O1-O3	$200-300/week	20-40% below civilian
O4+ / GS equivalent	$250-400/week	10-25% below civilian

CDC waitlists are real. Average wait: 6-18 months. Get on the list the moment you receive PCS orders to a new installation. Dual-military and single-parent military families get priority. While waiting, use the fee assistance program for off-base care.

Family Child Care (FCC)

Military-certified in-home providers living on or near base. Often more flexible hours than CDCs. Costs are comparable to CDCs. Licensed and inspected by the installation. Great option while on the CDC waitlist.

School-Age Care (SAC)

Before/after school and summer programs for ages 6-12. Available at Youth Centers on most installations. $50-150/week. Activities include homework help, sports, arts, STEM, and field trips.

Off-Base Childcare

When CDCs are full (common), you have strong off-base options:

Fee Assistance / Child Care Subsidy: The military subsidizes off-base civilian childcare when on-base care isn't available. Subsidy covers the difference between what you'd pay on-base and the civilian rate. Apply through your installation's Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) office.
CubHelp directory: Search daycare providers near your installation. Filter by price and license status. Many civilian daycares near bases are experienced with military families and offer military discounts.
NACCRRA (ChildCareAware): DoD partner for off-base childcare referrals. militarychildcare.com

Therapy and Special Needs (EFMP)

The Exceptional Family Member Program serves military families with children who have special needs - autism, ADHD, speech delays, developmental disabilities, chronic medical conditions.

What EFMP Provides

Assignment coordination: The military considers your child's therapy needs when assigning your next duty station. You won't be sent somewhere that can't support your child.
Therapy access: TRICARE covers ABA, speech, OT, PT, and behavioral therapy. The ECHO (Extended Care Health Option) program provides additional coverage up to $36,000/year beyond standard TRICARE limits.
Respite care: Free childcare hours for EFMP families (16-40 hours/month depending on installation) so parents can get a break.
Family support: Case management, support groups, community connections at each installation.

Enroll through your installation's EFMP office. Enrollment is mandatory if your dependent has a qualifying condition, but the program is supportive - not punitive. It protects your family. Find civilian therapy providers near your base on CubHelp's therapy directory.

During Deployment

Extended childcare hours: Many CDCs and FCC providers offer extended/overnight care during deployment. Ask your installation.
Free childcare days: Operation Military Child Care provides free childcare for deploying/deployed families. Apply through militarychildcare.com.
Family Readiness Groups (FRGs): Your unit's FRG connects you with other families going through deployment. Childcare swaps, emotional support, practical help.
Military OneSource counseling: 12 free non-medical counseling sessions per issue. For you and your children. No referral needed. 800-342-9647.
Children's deployment resources: Military OneSource has age-appropriate books, videos, and counseling guides for helping kids cope with a parent's deployment.

PCS Moves: Childcare Transition Checklist

6-12 months out: Get on CDC waitlist at gaining installation. Call: your gaining installation's CYS (Child and Youth Services) office.
3-6 months out: Search CubHelp for off-base options near new base. Contact CCR&R at gaining installation for fee assistance pre-approval.
1-2 months out: Confirm childcare arrangement. Tour if possible during house-hunting trip. Register for School-Age Care if applicable.
At new base: Register for CDC (even if using off-base). Connect with FRG. Find youth sports, activities, and community programs through MWR and CubHelp.
EFMP families: Contact gaining installation's EFMP coordinator before PCS to confirm therapy provider availability.

MWR Youth Programs

Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) offers subsidized youth programs at every installation:

Youth sports leagues: $30-75/season (far below civilian rec leagues). Soccer, basketball, baseball, football, swimming.
Summer camps: $75-200/week on-base (vs $200-500 civilian). Day camps, adventure camps, STEM camps.
Arts and enrichment: Music lessons, art classes, coding, theater - typically $25-75/month.
Teen programs: Teen centers, leadership programs, college prep, volunteer opportunities.
Outdoor recreation: Camping, fishing, hiking programs for families. Often free or very low cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does on-base childcare cost?

CDC childcare uses income-based sliding scale from $100-400/week, typically 20-40% below civilian rates. Fees are standardized across branches. Priority goes to dual-military, single military parents, and wounded warriors. Waitlists average 6-18 months - apply immediately upon receiving PCS orders.

What is EFMP and how do I get therapy for my child?

EFMP supports military families with special needs dependents. It coordinates assignments to stations with needed services, provides therapy through TRICARE + ECHO ($36,000/year additional), and offers 16-40 hours/month respite care. Enroll at your installation's EFMP office. Find civilian therapists near your base on CubHelp.

How do I find childcare when PCSing?

Get on the CDC waitlist 6-12 months before PCS. Contact Military OneSource (800-342-9647) for local referrals. Search CubHelp for off-base options. Apply for fee assistance through your installation's CCR&R office if CDC is full. If EFMP, coordinate with gaining installation's EFMP office for therapy continuity.