Provider Eligibility
A CCYH provider must meet the following requirements:
- Be a US citizen or lawful permanent resident
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Read, speak, and write English
- Follow applicable federal and state labor laws, including income tax regulations
- Attend a virtual orientation session
- Have current infant/child (pediatric) first aid and CPR certification
- Complete all required training
- Pass background checks
A provider can be a member of the family they provide care for. A parent, stepparent, or legal guardian cannot be the CCYH provider for their child.
How to Become a CCYH Provider
- Fingerprint-based FBI criminal history background check
- State criminal history repository check
- State child abuse and neglect repository check
- State/national sex offender registry check
- Start date of care
- Provider rate per month or week
- Days and hours of care per week or month
Be Chosen to Provide Care
After a family indicates you as their CCYH provider, a CCYH specialist from the MilitaryChildCare.com team will contact you. The specialist will help you to complete all necessary requirements, such as training and background checks.
Attend Orientation
You must attend a virtual orientation session (about 1 hour). The session will explain the provider requirements in detail, provide helpful resources, and give you a chance to ask questions.
Submit Proof of First Aid and CPR Certification
You must have current infant/child (pediatric) first aid certification and CPR certification and submit proof of certification.
Complete Required Training
Before you can receive any fee assistance payments, you must complete initial training courses (about 10 hours) and pass assessment 1. Within 90 days of fee assistance approval, you must complete the 90-day training courses (about 20 hours) and pass assessment 2.
You must also complete annual training (about 15 hours). All courses and assessments are free.
Complete Background Checks
You must pass the following background checks:
Your CCYH specialist will guide you through the background check process.
Submit Payment Information
You must provide an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) form and IRS form W-9 so the program can make payments to you.
Develop a Contract with the Family
The family will be your employer, so having a written contract with them is important. The contract must include the following information for each child:
For more information on why it's important to have a contract and what you should consider including, review The Importance of Creating Your Child Care Contract handout.
Additional Provider Information
After you pass the fingerprint-based FBI background check, you may be temporarily approved for the CCYH program if you have also completed the following:
- Submitted supporting documentation for state background checks
- Submitted proof of first aid and CPR certification
- Completed the initial training and passed assessment 1
- Submitted payment information
To receive full approval, you must pass the remaining background checks and complete the 90-day training and pass assessment 2. If you don’t complete these requirements within 90 days, the family will be responsible for the full provider child care fee.
The program covers 30–60 hours of care per week. The family pays for any extra hours.
The provider rate must only include child care services, not household chores or living expenses if you live with the family.
The CCYH program allows the following in-home care arrangements:
- You care for the family’s children in the family’s home.
- Two or more families share you as their in-home provider.
- You live with the family while providing care. Fee assistance covers only child care, not living expenses.
- You care for your children and the family’s children in the family’s home with a written agreement.
Note: For the health, safety, and well-being of the children in care, the child care ratio may not exceed six children to one adult. This may include no more than two infants under the age of two or children considered nonmobile or nonambulatory. When local or state requirements are more stringent for child care, then the family must follow their local or state regulations outlining the child to adult child care ratios.
Provider Resources
Questions?
For more information, check the FAQs or contact your CCYH specialist.