MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. -- Family center
providers around the Department of Defense are launching a brand new tool for
service members seeking child care. MilitaryChildCare.com is a state of the art
website that provides access to comprehensive information about military operated
child care options around the world. The service will be available in the
Tri-command area later this month.
“This website will
be used throughout the military in all branches so hopefully families will
begin to learn how it works,” said Ashley Utsey, the family child care director
for Marine Corps Community Services South Carolina. “It will be the first place
to go when you are looking for care at any base you move to.”
Service members
new to Beaufort may not be aware of all the programs and services available to
them or they may be overwhelmed with choosing a provider that fits their needs.
The system will also help inform the transitioning families.
“When
families move into the area and are looking for care, they are going to be able
to go online and see information about all of our centers,” said Utsey. “Whether
it’s Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island or Marine Corps Air Station
Beaufort, they will be able to see where the openings are."
There
are currently two child development centers in the Tri-command, one on the air
station and one on Parris Island. There are also alternative programs like
Family Child Care.
“Our family child
care providers on Laurel Bay will have profiles on the website as well. They
are spouses who run child care programs out of their homes for parents who want
a more intimate setting for their kids.”
All of these
programs and more will be featured on the website along with imagery, driving
directions and schedules to make it easier for parents to make their decision.
“Each center in
the Tri-command is putting a profile online, including pictures of their
facilities, specific information about the services they provide, and
availability,” said Utsey.
According to
MilitaryChildCare.com, users of the website can make a profile that stores
their basic information about their family type and child data. With this
profile you can conduct a customized search for a wide range of child care
options. By improving and simplifying the child care search process, the
website helps parents make informed decisions about child care needs.
“Right now,
families have to go to the resource and referral office to get the information
they need,” said Utsey. “With this website, the process of choosing a child
care provider can be faster.”
The site will also
expedite a child’s placement in a program or class. The system will help MCCS
staff stay up to date on all requests from parents to cut down on waitlist
time.
“We are excited to
update our process and bring our child care options directly to the families
who need them,” said Utsey. “This is a 21st century update to military family
services.”
Although the
website is still being updated with information from the Tri-command area,
families can still log on and create their profile and learn more about the
functionality of MilitaryCildCare.com.