Guard and Reserve Childcare Support

3 minute read Aug. 24, 2026

Guard and reserve service members often need childcare during nontraditional schedules, including drill weekends, annual training and short-notice mobilizations.

Flexible childcare options help families stay supported so service members stay mission ready.

Childcare tailored to your schedule

Guard and reserve families may not live near military installations and often rely on community-based providers. Childcare programs offer flexible, accessible options to meet these needs.

Available support for service members activated on Title 10 or Title 32 orders for more than 30 consecutive days includes:

Fee assistance for community-based care helps reduce out-of-pocket costs so families can access quality childcare. Learn more about military childcare and explore fee assistance eligibility at MilitaryChildCare.com.
Subsidized or no-cost options for care during drill and training may be available during qualifying duty periods.
Flexible care options include extended, overnight or care for nontraditional schedules.
Access to verified providers connects families with quality community childcare that are regulated by state and local laws.

These options help you find reliable care so you can focus on your duties.

Support for Guard and reserve families

Childcare support is part of a broader commitment to helping military families thrive. For Guard and reserve members, these programs address common challenges such as distance from installations and limited awareness of available resources.

By improving access to affordable, quality childcare, these programs:

Help reduce stress for families
Promote stability for children
Support service member readiness

Service-specific support

Find service-specific programs offered for drill weekends so you can remain mission ready.

Navy: Learn more about the Navy Reserve Force Weekend Drill Child Care Program, a fee assistance program that supports eligible Navy Reserve Force families who need childcare to support drill weekends.
Army: The Weekend Drill Child Care program was created to provide authorized drilling and training Army Reserve and Army National Guard soldiers with access to no-cost, hourly childcare to support the unique childcare needs during scheduled weekend training/drill periods. The program is currently available in Kansas, Iowa, Missouri and Illinois. Eligible Army Reserve and Army Reserve National Guard service members can register through the Upwards military childcare assistance page or call 816-670-3286 to connect with a dedicated care manager.
Air Force: The Air Force Home Community Care program provides childcare for Air Force Reserve and Air Force National Guard members assigned to specific installations during drill weekends. Care is provided in high quality Family Child Care homes throughout the U.S.