For military families, accessing high-quality and affordable child care is a significant concern. The Army Fee Assistance Program aims to alleviate this burden by providing financial assistance to eligible families. A crucial aspect of this program is ensuring that children are in nurturing and educational environments. This is where accreditation plays a vital role.
The Army Fee Assistance Program, often accessed through the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN) initiative, emphasizes nationally accredited child care programs. Accreditation serves as an additional benchmark for quality, signifying that a child care provider goes above and beyond basic licensing requirements. These accredited programs are designed to offer the attentive care, enriching educational activities, and experiences crucial for a child’s holistic development and school readiness.
Accreditation Standards for Child Care Centers
For child care centers to participate in the MCCYN program and be eligible for army fee assistance, they must be accredited by a nationally recognized agency. These accreditations ensure that centers meet rigorous standards of care and education. To identify the specific approved national accreditation agencies that align with the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN) program, please refer to the official resource page at https://www.childcareaware.org/fee-assistancerespite/feeassistancerespiteproviders/feeassistance/. This website provides up-to-date information on accepted accreditations for child care centers seeking to participate in the army fee assistance program.
High-Quality Credentials for Family Child Care Providers
Family child care providers also play a critical role in supporting military families. To meet the standards for the Army Fee Assistance Program and MCCYN, family child care providers must attain specific high-quality credentials. These credentials demonstrate a provider’s commitment to professional development and quality care within a home-based setting. Acceptable credentials include:
- Child Development Associate (CDA) credential: Awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition, the CDA credential is a widely recognized benchmark in early childhood education.
- Associate’s degree or higher in Early Childhood Education or Child Development: Academic qualifications in these fields signify a strong foundation in child development principles and best practices.
- National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) Accreditation: NAFCC accreditation is specific to family child care and recognizes providers who meet high standards of quality and professionalism in their home-based programs.
Finding and Verifying Eligible Child Care Providers
Child Care Aware® of America offers a valuable resource for families seeking fee-assisted child care. Their provider list, available at https://www.childcareaware.org/fee-assistancerespite/feeassistancerespiteproviders/feeassistance/, includes providers who have previously participated in fee assistance programs.
However, it is crucial to verify that any selected provider currently meets the eligibility requirements for your specific military branch and program before tuition assistance can be approved. Eligibility criteria can change, so direct verification is essential. If you have any questions regarding a provider’s eligibility or the Army Fee Assistance Program, please contact Child Care Aware of America directly at 1-800-424-2246 for guidance and support.
By prioritizing accredited and credentialed child care providers, the Army Fee Assistance Program ensures that military children receive quality care, supporting both their development and the peace of mind of their families.
