MCB Camp Pendleton

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Camp Pendleton officials dispel myths, address child care

22 Jun 2006 | Sgt. Luis R. Agostini Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, -- Marine and Family Services representatives are urging Camp Pendleton families to research opportunities available for child care on and off base.

With approximately 354 trained, certified child-care employees, including 110 family child care providers in government quarters, along with six child development centers, three youth/teen centers and four school-age care sites throughout Camp Pendleton, Marines, Sailors and their families here have several child care programs and referral services at their disposal to provide the best possible care for their children.

They should also not make a decision on where to leave their children without first consulting Marine and Family Services.
“Some non-certified people living in military family housing have been providing day care in their homes. This violates Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton Base Order P1710.29C, which could result in the loss of base housing privileges,” said Janet Hooten, family child care director, Marine and Family Services.

“We wouldn’t put our child in an unsafe crib, and we check the food, formulas and diapers we buy. Why not be just as cautious on where we provide care?” asked Trish B. Spencer, Children, Youth and Teen Program administrator, Marine and Family Services.

Some popular misconceptions from parents seeking child care include long waiting lists, expensive costs and limited hours.

The wait time is determined by the center location, priority and the center’s capacity, said Danny B. Robinson, Resource and Referral director, Children, Youth and Teen Program, Marine and Family Services.

Families are prioritized according to whether the parents are single or dual-military or the spouse is a Department of Defense contractor, as well as the spouse’s work and school schedule.

Unlike the private child care providers throughout San Diego, which base their costs on the age of the child, the child development centers base their pricing on the income of the parents, Spencer said.

The capacity varies between the six child development centers, with the largest, San Onofre CDC, able to support 199 children. The Corteau CDC at Mainside can support 125 children.

The family care providers in government housing can support up to six children, with only two children under 2 years old in the same provider’s house.

Extended, Enhanced Child Care is available for those last-minute emergencies, such as when a Marine is called to duty, a spouse whose Marine is deployed goes into labor or a domestic situation arises and the military police get involved.

Short-Term, Alternative Child Care is also available, for example, when the commanding officer of a unit holds a pre-deployment brief. He may request on-site or nearby child care support by simply calling Resource and Referral at (760) 725-9723.

Another option is the Parent Co-Op Program, where military families can arrange to watch each other’s children for small periods of time.

However, child care providers not certified through the Family Child Care Program can provide care for up to 10 hours only, with each child counting as one hour. It also cannot be on a recurring basis, said Hooten.

Families, especially military spouses, are encouraged by Marine and Family Services to join the local child-care providers through another avenue of approach – by becoming one.

The Family Child Care Program is an opportunity for parents to help children in their early developmental years, as well as earn income and develop a career that is transferable as the family moves from duty station to duty station.
Applicants must be 18 years or older with a high school diploma or equivalent.

When selected for the FCC Program, the FCC staff will train the new providers in many areas, including CPR, first aid, sanitation, safety, fire and basic child development. Individuals who take this course to become certified providers will also complete many self-paced child development subjects and will be provided training every month to continue their education.

For further information on how to become a certified provider or to get a listing of licensed/certified providers, call Child Development Programs Resource and Referral at (760)-725-9723 or Family Child Care at (760)-725-6173/9549 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday thru Friday.

Camp Pendleton officials dispel myths, address child care

22 Jun 2006 | Sgt. Luis R. Agostini Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, -- Marine and Family Services representatives are urging Camp Pendleton families to research opportunities available for child care on and off base.

With approximately 354 trained, certified child-care employees, including 110 family child care providers in government quarters, along with six child development centers, three youth/teen centers and four school-age care sites throughout Camp Pendleton, Marines, Sailors and their families here have several child care programs and referral services at their disposal to provide the best possible care for their children.

They should also not make a decision on where to leave their children without first consulting Marine and Family Services.
“Some non-certified people living in military family housing have been providing day care in their homes. This violates Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton Base Order P1710.29C, which could result in the loss of base housing privileges,” said Janet Hooten, family child care director, Marine and Family Services.

“We wouldn’t put our child in an unsafe crib, and we check the food, formulas and diapers we buy. Why not be just as cautious on where we provide care?” asked Trish B. Spencer, Children, Youth and Teen Program administrator, Marine and Family Services.

Some popular misconceptions from parents seeking child care include long waiting lists, expensive costs and limited hours.

The wait time is determined by the center location, priority and the center’s capacity, said Danny B. Robinson, Resource and Referral director, Children, Youth and Teen Program, Marine and Family Services.

Families are prioritized according to whether the parents are single or dual-military or the spouse is a Department of Defense contractor, as well as the spouse’s work and school schedule.

Unlike the private child care providers throughout San Diego, which base their costs on the age of the child, the child development centers base their pricing on the income of the parents, Spencer said.

The capacity varies between the six child development centers, with the largest, San Onofre CDC, able to support 199 children. The Corteau CDC at Mainside can support 125 children.

The family care providers in government housing can support up to six children, with only two children under 2 years old in the same provider’s house.

Extended, Enhanced Child Care is available for those last-minute emergencies, such as when a Marine is called to duty, a spouse whose Marine is deployed goes into labor or a domestic situation arises and the military police get involved.

Short-Term, Alternative Child Care is also available, for example, when the commanding officer of a unit holds a pre-deployment brief. He may request on-site or nearby child care support by simply calling Resource and Referral at (760) 725-9723.

Another option is the Parent Co-Op Program, where military families can arrange to watch each other’s children for small periods of time.

However, child care providers not certified through the Family Child Care Program can provide care for up to 10 hours only, with each child counting as one hour. It also cannot be on a recurring basis, said Hooten.

Families, especially military spouses, are encouraged by Marine and Family Services to join the local child-care providers through another avenue of approach – by becoming one.

The Family Child Care Program is an opportunity for parents to help children in their early developmental years, as well as earn income and develop a career that is transferable as the family moves from duty station to duty station.
Applicants must be 18 years or older with a high school diploma or equivalent.

When selected for the FCC Program, the FCC staff will train the new providers in many areas, including CPR, first aid, sanitation, safety, fire and basic child development. Individuals who take this course to become certified providers will also complete many self-paced child development subjects and will be provided training every month to continue their education.

For further information on how to become a certified provider or to get a listing of licensed/certified providers, call Child Development Programs Resource and Referral at (760)-725-9723 or Family Child Care at (760)-725-6173/9549 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday thru Friday.