FCC provides training for in-home child care

There are enough in-home child care providers at Cannon Air Force Base, but that is bound to change as the base continues to grow, and older siblings return to school this fall, according to Family Child Care officials.

Susie Galea has been a Family Child Care provider for almost a year. She said there are many benefits beyond the financial ones to being an in-home child care provider.

“I just love children, and this gives me the ability to be home with my own kids. I used to be an accountant, and I like the flexibility of working out of my home,” Galea said.

Galea said she’s been enriched by the experience. She said she potty-trained three 2-year olds this summer, and has become like a surrogate parent for children whose parents are deployed.

Jim Hernandez, director of Cannon AFB Family Child Care, said anyone interested in supplementing their income by becoming an in-home child care provider is welcome to apply, but must meet strict requirements.

Along with the $300,000 liability insurance the provider must buy, Hernandez said every provider goes through extensive no-cost training. Hernandez said the 12 modules covered in the training include cognitive, social, emotional, language and physical development, all of which are required to be renewed in the license each year. Hernandez said all FCC homes are initially and randomly inspected for sanitation, health, safety and fire hazards.

Galea said insurance costs her about $98 per month.

Hernandez said FCC offers a lending library, complete with toys, arts/crafts items, car seats, and “pretty much anything you can imagine needed to run a daycare.”