MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. - Family care providers may soon be more available for those parents who want an evening together, while their children are in good care. Marine Corps Community Services is now offering classes allowing those interested to run childcare services within the confines of their own home.
Anyone wishing to become a childcare provider must be certified through the MCCS course. Only military spouses and service members within the Tri-Command area are allowed to apply. Classes for the program will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday at the Air Station Bachelor Officers Quarters Conference Center.
“The program helps me stay close to my two boys. I can watch them and the other children at home while their father is working,” said Ashley Thomas, a childcare provider on Laurel Bay.
The childcare provider may only watch a maximum number of six children at a time.
“Every year, we have to recertify for all of the qualifications that we were required to have before becoming childcare providers,” said Jennifer Spooner, a childcare provider on Laurel Bay.
All of the certified family childcare providers go through an orientation, which teaches them cardiopulmonary resuscitation, how to apply first aid, safety and fire prevention, business practices and the program regulations further enhancing their ability to care for children.
“The program is worthwhile for the parents and children involved because it allows the children to interact with one another in a smaller environment,” said Thomas. “For those who really love children, it is a good experience.”
For parents, it can be more convenient to leave their children with a childcare provider because of location, Spooner added.
In addition, for those enrolling in the course it is mandatory that they attend the Family Child Care Orientation Week, have complete health, fire, safety and sanitation inspections complete for the home and a high school diploma or a General Education and Development certificate among other requirements.
The American Red Cross Baby-sitting Course must be completed as well as filling out the baby sitters’ information sheet along with parental permission in order to be eligible to baby-sit in the Tri-Command area. The baby-sitting classes cost $20 to register and will be held in August and November.
For those interested in enrolling in the class or becoming a childcare provider, information packets are available at the Laurel Bay Child Development Center. It costs $45 to register as a provider. For more information regarding the program, call Janet Knotts at 846-2270 or for the baby-sitting classes, call 228-3514.