- Attend a class
- Go shopping
- Have a doctor's appointment
- Participate in recreational activities
- Take weekend trips or vacation
- Go on occasional short field exercises
Have you been asked to watch a friend's child for a few hours each week, but been afraid that you might have to become a Family Child Care (FCC) Provider? Have neighbors asked if you would take care of their children while they go on vacation for a week, but you weren't sure you were allowed? There seems to be a lot of confusion . . . Family members thinking they must be certified, when all they really want to do is help a friend.
There's good news! It is not — and never has been — the intent of Child and Youth Services to eliminate such "good neighbor" favors.
THE TEN HOUR RULE
The Army has the responsibility to balance the ability of Families to rely on one another to meet their short term child care needs with protecting the safety and well-being of children. There is a difference between watching children for a few hours each week and providing child care services as a profession. Therefore, a 10 hour child care limit has been established to protect children from being in unregulated child care settings on an ongoing basis.
The 10 hour limit means any Family member living in government quarters providing child care for more than 10 child care hours per week on a regular basis must be certified as a Family Child Care Provider. Providing unauthorized care places you at risk of losing your housing privelages.
A "child care hour" is defined as one child for 10 hours per week, two children for five hours per week, etc. Children from the same family count as one child.
If you watch a friend's child all day once, you provide child care for more than 10 hours, but you do not do it on a regular basis. You do not need to be an FCC Provider.
If you watch one child one hour per day, you provide care on a regular basis, but you do not exceed the 10 hour limit per week. You do not need to be an FCC Provider.
When can I watch my friend's children? When can I leave my children with a friend?
It has always been an Army tradition to help each other. Short term child care is no exception. Neighbors can watch children while parents, for example:
So go ahead. It's OK to watch your neighbor's children. It's OK to be neighborly!
Earn money and take your career with you anywhere you PCS! Become an FCC Provider today. Call (315)772-2250 to learn more.
