MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- The Family Child Care program is a professional, portable career which allows providers to stay home with their children and work their own schedule.

The FCC offers in-home care for children ages 2 weeks to 12 years old, in base housing or with off-base affiliates. It provides a career opportunity for spouses and dependents who become FCC providers.

The program is an alternative to the Child Development Center for families. It tailors short term care to the unique needs of children and their families in licensed and affiliated FCC homes.

"Having ready child care available is a necessity for military members," said Dana Williams, FCC coordinator. "They can successfully perform their military mission when they have knowledge that their children's safety, health and well-being are protected."

The FCC has multiple programs in place catered toward helping families who are deploying, experiencing a permanent change of station or have abnormal duty hours.

"Say there is a nurse or a fireman, we know that the child development center can't accommodate their needs because of their schedules," Williams said, "So the same fee they would pay the child development center, they can pay the [FCC] provider and the Air Force will accommodate the subsidized fee for any care after normal hours."

Williams explained they even have a program for couples who want to spend some time together before a deployment. They can drop their kids off at an FCC provider and have a nice date together.

Advantages of the program are not only seen by the parents but the providers as well.

"My favorite part of being a provider is I get a chance to [work at] home with my daughter," said Victoria McNair, FCC provider. "I get to see children in their crucial growing stages, like walking, eating and potty training."

These programs are made possible by those with a passion for taking care of kids and are always in need of new providers.

"Family Child Care has a special place in my heart," Williams said. "My husband served in Security Forces for 23 years, working demanding and unusual hours [enabling me to] work in the day and not pay for daycare. That's why I stress the importance to spouses with young children so they can have a career allowing them to stay home with their children."

Anyone over the age of 18 with a high school diploma or equivalent and is an active duty spouse, retired military or has had Department of Defense affiliation can apply to become a provider. Several background checks must be conducted to ensure the best care for Air Force families.

According to Air Force Instruction 34-276, anyone hosting child care for more than 10 hours per child, in a single session on an Air Force installation, must be certified through the Family Child Care Training Program.

The program provides the knowledge and materials needed to start the certification process. Training covers a variety of topics to include CPR, first aid, health safety, developmental appropriate practices and child guidance. All of the credentials are transferable, allowing continued employment throughout the Air Force.

For more information pick up an FCC Fits! bulletin at any Force Support Squadron facility, visit http://www.mhafbfun.com/fcc/index.html or contact the FCC office at (208) 828-6715.