Funded by the Director of Military Family Services (DMFS) through the Emergency Respite Child Care Services
Budget is provided on a yearly basis, fiscal year beginning April 1
Emergency Child Care Services provide emergency child care, respite child care and take-a-break child care. Click here for more information on ECCS.
Rationale
Preventative medicine
Encourages the caregiver of the CF member’s child/ren (typically a ‘spouse’) to take a break before getting sick and/or overly stressed
Provides an opportunity to take advantage of the Fitness, Sports & Recreation facilities available on site or within the community (promotes social, emotional and physical well-being)
Provides the chance to attend workshops, build relationships with the Comox MFRC staff, volunteers and attendees of the workshops(promotes social and emotional well-being and creating a safety net for themselves)
Criteria for Use and Limitations
The military member must be away a minimum of 30 days before TAB can be accessed
Minimum 30 day exception: Families experiencing multiple shorter separations (totalling a minimum of 30 days) with an exceptionally short period of reunification in between (perhaps only a few days) may be able to access TAB – typically SAR Tech’s families qualify for this
Priority given to families with:
young children, up to and including those attending Kindergarten
children/youth who require extra support (age stipulation may not apply to youth in this category)
limited financial means
no social support system (no friends or family in the local area)
TAB Child Care’s availability could be limited due to funding usage – we reserve the right to cancel TAB usage to families should the service have to redirect funds to families experiencing crises or emergencies.
We reserve the right to cancel or limit a family’s usage of TAB At any time during a fiscal year, should the current usage requirements demonstrate that they will exceed the yearly forecasted budget
What do you get for Take-a-Break Childcare?
As much flexibility to a family as we can offer (see child care options)
8 hours maximum/month per child, for each full month the military member is away
There are no partial hours given for partial months
This service covers child care for children ages birth to 11 years (stops on 12th birthday)
In special circumstances this age stipulation is waived for children that are not capable of being left on their own – please see Emergency Child Care Services Coordinator if this applies to your situation
Families may choose to use different child care arrangements each month, to suit their personal needs.For instance you may use Creative Kids Childminding for 8 hours in December and could use swimming lessons for January and February
A maximum monthly $ amount towards Recreational Programs applies
Application Process
Fill out the application (see link to PDF at top of page)
Bring it in to the Family Separation & Reunion Coordinator at the Comox MFRC
The Family Separation & Reunion Coordinator will contact you to let you know if your application has been approved
Upon approval, a meeting will be set up (by phone or in person)
Your child care needs will be determined and you will receive the appropriate paperwork to access your child care each month
Paperwork Required Before you access your childcare, all appropriate paperwork must be in place:
For Comox MFRC Creative Kids Childcare Programs (includes childminding) you require a TAB Punch Card, which will be sent directly to the childminding room
For Kinnikinnik Child Care Centre programs an authorization form will be sent directly to them outlining the month(s) TAB is provided
For other child care options a standard invoice will be issued to the provider, along with a confirmation letter
If you do not follow this process, you will be billed directly for any child care accessed
Information on your child/ren should be submitted to the child care provider or centre so it is available for your child’s first visit.For parents using multiple Emergency Child Care Providers you may fill out the required Child’s Info Form and keep it with you to provide to each Emergency Child Care Provider while they are providing care for your family.
Booking and Using Your Child Care
Parents are responsible for making their own childcare arrangements (please book Emergency Childcare Providers at least one week ahead!)
Child care is only good for the month it is intended
You may not carry forward any unused portion of your child care
Parents are responsible at the time for any fees that are above the allotted amount on your punch card/invoice
Cancellation of Pre-arranged Childcare Arrangements
Parents are responsible to find out what a centre’s cancellation policy is when registering their child.Failure to provide appropriate cancellation notice to the facility will result in loss of all hours booked for that day, as the centre will still be invoicing us for that time.
Emergency Child Care Providers require cancellation notice by 8pm for childcare arranged for the following day (7am or later) OR by 9am for child care arranged for evening care (6pm and later) that day.
Parents are responsible to find out if a Recreation Program will provide ‘make-up’ opportunities for missed sessions and must arrange for these on their own.
Child Care Options
Comox MFRC Facilities: Kinnikinnik Child Care Centre (on a drop in availability basis) or Creative Kids Childminding Programs
Other licensed child care centres, preschools or family daycares in the community
Community recreation programs for children (swimming lessons, craft classes, etc.)
Also available are a limited number of screened child care providers who may do care in your home or theirs
Information on Comox MFRC’s Child Care Services Kinnikinnik Child Care Centre(KCCC) As this centre provides full-time and part-time child care for the whole community, please be aware that Take-a-Break Child Care is provided on a drop-in/availability basis only.Drop-in child care can be arranged at the beginning of the month for that month only.You may book half or full days only. For more information on Kinnikinnik Child Care Centre click here. Creative Kids Child Care Centre Located in the 19Wing Fitness & Community Centre, Creative Kids Child Care provides a variety of child care programs offered Monday – Friday, excluding Pro D Days, Christmas & Spring Breaks, and Summer Holidays.Lots of different activities: from childminding to tumbling classes. For more information on Creative Kids Child Care Centre click here. Youth Services for School-age Children Remember… if you’re experiencing a separation of 30 days or more, you can get a Youth Membership to our 19 Wing Youth Services for each of your school-age children.Why not use your Take-a-Break to pay for some of their extra-curricular activities?We offer up to $25 per month per child.
Any Questions? If you have any questions regarding the Take-a-Break Child Care Service, please direct your inquiries to the Family Separation & Reunion Services Coordinator at (250) 339-8211 Local 8310 or at greenwood.ae@forces.gc.ca
"Working to enhance the quality of life for military members and their families in our community."