We are expecting our first child in six months. My husband is AD and I am employed full time. The MCCS Family Care page doesn't provide much information on the CDCs, wait list procedures, cost, etc.; it's all pretty vague.

Any advice/insight to the CDCs, Family Care Providers, or outside child care? We live off base but can commute to Mainside or De Luz area. I don't want to be spend a fortune on childcare (I want to make it "worthwhile" to keep working), but at the same time I don't want "cheap" care with little attention/care (I also don't want a constantly sick kid!).

Any advice or personal experiences would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance :) 

I took my kids to different family care providers who lived on base. I forgot where I got the list but it's been three years. I think you can go to mainside where you would sign up for the waiting list for the list of in home providers. 

I would hesitate leaving my kids ever again with a family care provider. I always opt for "centers" where there is a better ratio of care givers to kids. When they are in a home setting, and that person has to use the restroom, take an important call, gets frustrated... there is nobody else around to take over. It's always just one person and that's it. At a child development center you have multiple care givers and almost always there are two people to every room. JMO! 

There is better ratio in FCC homes. A child is also in a home away from home setting.

There are pros & cons to both situations. They are many qualified & professional FCC Providers aboard Camp Pendleton.

I can equally share the CDCs aboard Camp Pendleton are a lot better than what I?ve seen on other installations. I?ve met some awesome care givers that work at the CDCs.

Go to Resource & Referral, tour the CDC you?re interested and interview 2 or 3 FCC Providers. You?ll get a feel for what you want for your child and family.

Congratulations on the upcoming birth of your first child!