How to Research Childcare at Your Next Duty Station

Childcare can shape where a family lives, how far each parent commutes, and whether a spouse can begin work after a PCS. Start researching as soon as the destination is reasonably certain. A long list of providers is not the same as an available place that fits your child's age and your work schedule.

Define the care you actually need

Write down the requirements before comparing programs:

• Each child's age and expected start date
• Full-day, part-day, before-school, after-school, or hourly care
• Normal duty hours plus realistic travel time
• Early reporting, shift work, field time, or irregular schedules
• Transportation to and from school
• Allergy, medical, developmental, or accessibility needs
• The maximum monthly amount the household can sustain

This prevents a common mistake: joining a waitlist for care that will not work once the family arrives.

Begin with official military resources

MilitaryChildCare.com (opens in a new tab) is the Department of Defense system for researching military-operated childcare and submitting requests for care. Families can review available programs and place requests based on their circumstances and projected date of need.

Use MilitaryINSTALLATIONS (opens in a new tab) to find the gaining installation's child development center, family child care office, school-age programs, and family support contacts. Ask the program directly about:

• Current wait estimates for the correct age group
• Whether the quoted wait applies to your priority category
• Required documents and registration steps
• Operating hours, closures, and late-pickup policies
• Fees and when they may be recalculated
• Inclusion support and accommodation procedures
• Whether temporary or hourly care is offered

A request is not a confirmed placement. Avoid making an employment start date depend on childcare until the provider confirms enrollment.

Compare licensed civilian care

Military care may not be available soon enough or may be too far from home or work. ChildCare.gov (opens in a new tab) links families to state and territory childcare agencies, licensing information, inspection records, and assistance programs. Verify a provider's license and recent inspection history through the destination state's official system.

When speaking with a civilian provider, ask about staff turnover, child-to-adult ratios, security, meals, illness rules, holidays, deposits, withdrawal notice, and whether a PCS clause is available. If fee assistance may apply, confirm current eligibility and provider requirements through the official military program before signing a contract.

Test the entire daily route

Map home, childcare, school, the service member's workplace, and the spouse's likely workplace. Compare travel during actual drop-off and pickup hours. A provider that looks close on a map may add substantial time at a gate or during local traffic.

Calculate the full cost, not only tuition. Include registration fees, deposits, meals, transportation, late fees, summer care, and days when the program is closed but work is not.

Build a backup plan

Every family needs a plan for illness, closures, delayed household goods, and the period before permanent care begins. Possible options include approved hourly care, a trusted relative, a flexible work arrangement, or alternating leave when authorized. Identify who may pick up each child and complete the required authorization before it is needed.

Use a simple comparison sheet

The best option is the one that is safe, available, affordable, and workable on an ordinary duty day. Keep more than one realistic option active until care is confirmed in writing.