While some may take advantage of childcare services offered on post, others may wonder how they can start the ball rolling to provide the service in their own home. Luckily, the opportunity is started with a simple piece of paper.

The process begins with a visit to the Family Child Care (FCC) office, where you receive and submit an application and are given information about upcoming orientations. The orientation is a two-hour brief that highlights the next weeks' provisional classes. In the classes themselves, participants can expect a lot of interaction, and even a tour of a current FCC home.

"Becoming a childcare provider was something that I was back and forth with for a while," said Army spouse Janell Smith, whose husband Travis is a targeting officer with the 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery on Joint Base Lewis-McChord. "But once I went to the classes and learned what I did, I knew it was something I wanted to do."

It takes approximately three weeks before you can start up your home childcare business. During this time, FCC staff will conduct a background check on you as well as all individuals in your home over the age of 12. You can also expect a number of at home visits. "I was visited by five individuals - the fire marshal, health and sanitation, a nurse, the FCC director and a USDA representative," Smith said. "Fire escape plans had to be approved, I learned how to administer medication, and even foods inside of my kitchen cabinets were looked at."

The FCC will also provide you with a mentor if you choose to have one. The mentor will even walk through your home to see if there are improvements that can be made, and they are extremely thorough.  "They do not want you to fail," Smith said. "In fact, the FCC provides you with not only a startup kit, but with many other things for your home - high chairs, sleeping mats, fire extinguishers, chairs and tables."

From the business perspective, it is worth noting that expenses accrued while running a childcare from your home are tax deductible. You can also qualify for extra income by completing modules, and once a years' worth of experience is under your belt, the FCC will be willing to pay for additional schooling, which can provide you with even more compensation.

Providing FCC childcare from your home is not just limited to on-post families. Those living off post can do it as well, but will require a state license.

Though there are ratio regulations, FCC childcare is available to children 4 weeks to 12 years of age and can be part time, full day, or hourly, with long term care for exercises and deployments. All are options left up to the provider.  

For more information, visit the FCC office in building 2013B, on the corner of North 3rd Street and Pendleton Ave. or call (253) 967-3039.