Today’s world is not the same world our grandparents — or even our parents — grew up in.

There is no place this is more evident than in our homes. Dad was at work from 8 to 5, and mom was at home in the kitchen baking cookies after school. Sure, this is still the case in some families, but for a majority of American families, civilian and military alike, today’s homes are spearheaded by two working parents or, in a growing segment, by single parents.

Ample options for affordable and reliable childcare are no longer a luxury in our society — they are a necessity.

This is especially true for military families who face a variety of challenges that can involve dual-military parents, living far from extended family, short-notice travel orders and non-traditional work schedules.

Perhaps now more than ever, it is imperative that military families, whether living on-base or off-base, have access to a variety of quality childcare options.

In a 2003 statement before the Personnel Subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee of the U.S. Senate, Joyce Raezer, director of government relations for the National Military Family Association (NMFA), noted that today’s all-volunteer military is predominantly a young, married force with children.

Slightly more than half of the military is married, and nearly 1 million children, or 73 percent of all military children, are under the age of 11. Furthermore, 40 percent are five years of age or younger.

Adding to the military’s need for quality childcare is the fact that about 6 percent of military members are single parents, ranging from a low of 3 percent of Marines to a high of almost 8 percent of the Army, according to Raezer.

While military childcare on-base has been frequently cited as the best childcare system in America, it does not have the capacity to fully meet the demands of today’s military families.

With its variety of childcare centers, family childcare homes, after-school programs and resource and referral programs, the Department of Defense is progressing toward its goal of meeting 80 percent of the need by 2005.

However, the bottom line is that many military families must turn to civilian childcare avenues for a variety of reasons.

Usually there is a waiting list for childcare centers on-base. Or it could be that a family living in the civilian community has a parent that works in the civilian sector as well. More recently, as Guard and Reserves members have been called to duty, adequate and affordable childcare has become an even more important issue.

But above all, no parent in any capacity can be expected to function well if he or she is worried about the welfare of his or her child.

“Childcare for military families should be of high quality and affordable cost to ensure the best of care is available to the children of active duty military and those supporting the military mission without putting financial strain or stress on the family,” said Lt. Col. Stephen A. Kimball, USAF, commander, 55th Services, at Offut Air Force Base near Omaha, Neb. “The nature of military service includes non-traditional work schedules, short-notice travel and sometimes physical danger. Military members who know their children receive the best care available are better able to focus and dedicate themselves to this demanding environment.”

Finding Affordable Childcare in the Civilian Community

Finding childcare in civilian communities is not usually an issue. The challenges stem more from finding options that are comparable to that which is offered on military installations — and at affordable prices as well.

“All Military Child Development Centers (CDC) are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children,” said Kathleen Moakler, deputy director of the government relations department for NMFA. “In comparison, only 8 percent of off-installation centers are accredited, and fees for comparable childcare are usually 20 percent to 50 percent more expensive than DOD centers. Waiting lists are not uncommon, especially for the infant categories where the provider-to-child ratio is higher.”

While childcare on-base is partially subsidized and therefore much more affordable — especially for families of lower-ranking military members —private care or other forms of day care in the civilian community are not.

In some instances, military spouses are quitting their jobs or dropping out of school because they cannot find the childcare they need at an affordable rate, according to the NMFA.

This need is not limited to childcare for young children alone; quality after-school care is also a primary concern.

“The need for childcare and other after-school and youth programs is a very critical issue, especially with single parents,” Moakler said. “The quandary is providing childcare that is both high quality, i.e., accredited like the DOD centers are, and affordable, because at the present time, childcare is not subsidized off the installation. Quality childcare enables the service member to concentrate and focus on his or her job, especially if they are in harm’s way, and not worry about how their children are being cared for. Since many military spouses are employed, quality, dependable childcare helps them as well.”

Many young children easily spend 10 hours a day in a childcare setting. While preschool programs designed to stimulate children’s developmental progress are essential, so is parental time and involvement.

When a military spouse who lives and works off-base finds reliable and affordable childcare in the civilian setting, ideally near his or her workplace, visits with children over the lunch hour may be possible. This affords parents a peace of mind that is invaluable.

And in the end, peace of mind is what it’s all about: peace of mind that your children are being cared for adequately, that they are safe and happy, and that there will still be money left over after the childcare bill has been paid.

Rachael Hedgcoth is a freelance writer based in Overland Park, Kan.