Family Child Care

FCC PROVIDERS

Our Providers are self-employed, yet work within the guidelines of the Marine Corps and the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Each provider completes medical and background checks, orientation training, and home inspections before receiving a certificate to open from the base commander. After opening, Providers continue their training with Family Child Care Modules, and are monitored monthly by the Family Child Care Director at Child and Youth Programs.

CONTRACTS AND POLICIES

Each Provider has a written contract that must be signed by the provider and the parents. This contract describes procedures for payment to include when and how much to pay, late payment requirements, and additional fees. Contracts also include policies on vacations, holidays and withdrawal procedures. Other policies included will be meal and nap schedules, an illness policy, emergency procedures, permission slips, and discipline and guidance techniques. Parents will have the chance to read over and discuss the contract with the Provider, and once it is signed, it is legally binding.

FCC HOMES

Our Family Child Care homes are quality child care business. In addition to trainings and reviews by the CYP program, homes are also monitored by base health, safety, and fire departments. Children enrolled in the FCC program experience a close family atmosphere that includes a small ratio, a curriculum similar to that of the Child Development Center, and nutritious meals that are approved by the Food Program. Care offered often meets family and individual children’s needs better than large group or center based care. Typically these homes can provide hours of operation that are more flexible than those at a child care center. Hours can include early morning, evening, weekend, and/or overnight care.

CONTRACTS AND POLICIES

Each Provider has a written contract that must be signed by the provider and the parents. This contract describes procedures for payment to include when and how much to pay, late payment requirements, and additional fees. Contracts also include policies on vacations, holidays and withdrawal procedures. Other policies included will be meal and nap schedules, an illness policy, emergency procedures, permission slips, and discipline and guidance techniques. Parents will have the chance to read over and discuss the contract with the Provider, and once it is signed, it is legally binding.

REGISTRATION AND ADMISSION PROCEDURES

Because the FCC Program falls under the guidelines of the Marine Corps, and thus the Child and Youth Programs, patrons of the FCC program are required to register with the CYP’s Resource and Referral Office. This packet is due in the R&R office before the child’s start date in the home. The Provider must have a copy of the R&R’s registration packet and a copy of the child’s immunization records before the child may stay in the home. The FCC Program is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Children identified with special needs will register with the Exceptional Family Member Program. An Inclusion Action Team (IAT) may meet to make an assessment and report to the Commanding Officer on the FCC’s ability to accommodate the child’s special needs.

FEES & CHARGES

Fees and charges are determined by the individual Provider, and will be stated in the contract. Some Providers accept subsidy programs, such as the Direct Cash Subsidy program (DCS). In such cases, it is the parent’s responsibility to apply for the subsidy, with the FCC office. Most Providers do not pro-rate weeks in which holidays occur, such as New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr’s Birthday, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Also, fees are not normally reimbursed for the days that your child is ill, or otherwise does not attend. Again, these facts will be listed in the Provider’s contract. Also, listed in the contract will be any policies regarding vacation times, for the Provider and for the parent, and withdrawal notices.

DISCIPLINE POLICY

The FCC follows the same discipline policy found in the CDC and the YC. We encourage children to become responsible, caring individuals through the development of self-control and respect for the rights of others. Positive disciplinary techniques such as redirection, positive verbal reinforcement, choices, and temporarily removing children from stressful situations are employed. If these techniques do not deter inappropriate behavior, parents will be notified and required to be involved in guiding their child’s behavior. Corporal punishment is strictly forbidden, as is any form of demeaning or embarrassing treatment of children. In addition, parents are not allowed to administer any form of physical punishment of their child while in a Family Child Care home. Children that display recurring behavior problems will be handled on an individual basis. If behaviors persist and prevent the child from participating, interfere with other children’s ability to participate, or cause providers to spend much of their time with that child, the child may be disenrolled.

CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT

Child abuse reporting procedures are followed when any allegations against parents, family members, or providers are made. The Provider’s home will be closed until an investigation is completed. The CYP will assist parents in finding care in this situation. Any suspicion of child abuse is reported to Family Advocacy Program at 928-941-3650 and to Child Protective Services Hotline at 1-888-767-2445. Children enrolled in any of the services provided by the CYP are closely observed for signs of abuse and/or neglect. Those families experiencing serious stresses are encouraged to contact the Family Advocacy Program to arrange for counseling services