How to Get Military Child Care
The Department of War funds military child care so eligible military-connected families can be mission ready. Learn who's eligible and how to request care today.
Approved sponsor types
To participate in military-operated child care, your family must have one of these approved sponsor types:
- Child Development Program Staff
- Active Duty Combat-Related Wounded Warrior
- Active Duty Military
- Guard & Reserve on Active Duty
- DoW Civilian
- Coast Guard Civilian
- Gold Star Spouse (Combat-Related)
- DoW Contractor
- Other Federal Employee
- Deactivated or Inactive Guard/Reserve in Training Status
- Military Retiree
MCCYN and Child Care in Your Home use more restrictive eligibility and priority guidelines.
Who can be enrolled?
Age
Children 6 weeks through 12 years of age (or attending 6th grade). Some installations allow exceptions through 7th or 8th grade.
Relationship
A dependent living with the sponsor, a child under legal guardianship or foster care, or a child cared for "in loco parentis" while the sponsor fulfills a military obligation.
Residency
With joint custody, a child is eligible when living with the eligible sponsor at least 25% of the time in a month care is received.
Four simple steps
With an MCC account you can explore options worldwide and place unlimited requests for care.
Create an account
Select "Create an Account" and set up a Household Profile that stores key information about your family.
Search & request
Request care as soon as you know your duty station and tentative arrival date to get on the waitlist.
Manage requests
Update or cancel requests anytime. Offers arrive by email and in "Time Sensitive Actions."
Keep your profile current
Up-to-date sponsor, spouse and email details help programs confirm eligibility quickly.
Your place in line, explained
Wait time is based on a combination of two things:
- DoW priority. Each family type is assigned a priority level based on sponsor type and, if applicable, spouse employment status.
- Request for Care date. The timestamp of your request — with your priority — helps programs decide who receives the next offer.
Track your Anticipated Placement Time (APT)
Instead of a waitlist number, each request shows an APT — an estimate of when a spot may open — that updates as programs update enrollment. You can stay on a preferred program's waitlist even after accepting care elsewhere.
Tips from families who've been there
Request early
Submit requests as soon as you have orders — even before you arrive. Expecting? Get on the list during pregnancy.
Cast a wide net
Request every program that fits — CDCs, FCC homes and fee assistance — across multiple locations.
Consider FCC
Family Child Care homes often have smaller groups, flexible hours and shorter waits.
Respond fast
Watch your email and dashboard — offers are time-sensitive.
Line up child care before you move
A simple timeline to keep care on track during a Permanent Change of Station.
As soon as you have orders
Log in, update your Household Profile and search near your new duty station. Submit requests for every option that fits.
Two months out
Check your APTs. If placement looks unlikely before arrival, explore MCCYN fee assistance and Family Child Care.
One month out
Ask about Commercial Travel Reimbursement for a designated person to provide child care during the move.
After you arrive
Respond quickly to offers, cancel requests you no longer need, and connect with your School Liaison.
Start your request today
The sooner you request care, the sooner you're on the waitlist.