What options do I have?

2020-06-19T11:29:43-04:00

The CDC has been closed for a few months now. There is no one to complete the mission at work due to PCS and ALC. Command wants me to come in while they pay for off base daycare, but I’m not comfortable with my child going. FCP isn’t much of a thing because of COVID. What options do I have?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2020 11:50 AM

2020-06-19T11:50:01-04:00

Is there someone that you trust that would be willing to babysit your child while you're at work?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2020 12:49 PM

2020-06-19T12:49:13-04:00

You are lucky that the command is willing to pay for childcare at all. You have an obligation to be at work. Your choice is to find a provider.
You knew the CDC's were limited on child care and the person you trusted to watch your child was PCSing, so you should have been looking for someone new.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Jun 19 at 2020 1:55 PM

2020-06-19T13:55:27-04:00

Have you gone and checked out the daycare they are willing to pay for? That's a miracle if your command is willing to pay for your childcare.

If it's a reputable daycare provider that checks out and your child would be in good care, take it. At my base, they just started opening back up to single/dual military and I just got a call on Tuesday for my daughter to go back to the school age center. I think only a couple CDCs are open and it's only single/dual then going to those married with civilian spouse next.

If you aren't comfortable with that provider for whatever reason that's fine but if it's going to be awhile until the CDCs open up at your base, you might need to find someone else to watch. I got lucky my command let me telework the last 3 months - and because my daughter is immunosuppressed was the big reason why they let me.

Where I am, there are babysitter groups on Facebook. Try searching your base and babysitter group in the title. Go onto a mom group and see if any of them are babysitting. Ask anyone in your unit if they have a spouse who is a SAHP or works from home willing to babysit.