By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Pew PatriotsPew PatriotsPew Patriots
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
  • Home
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Reading: Thousands of military families use child care app devised by airman
Share
Font ResizerAa
Pew PatriotsPew Patriots
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Search
  • Home
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
Thousands of military families use child care app devised by airman
Tactical

Thousands of military families use child care app devised by airman

Jimmie Dempsey
Last updated: April 21, 2025 9:50 pm
Jimmie Dempsey Published April 21, 2025
Share
SHARE

A new app is helping to fill a gap in short-term child care needs for some military families.

Kinderspot allows parents to sublet their child care spaces at Air Force child development centers when they’re away for vacation or other reasons, connecting them to other eligible Department of Defense families who need the child care.

The app, which was the brainchild of Air Force Maj. Jacque Vasta, was launched Air Force-wide in July, following testing at a number of bases. To date, 12,361 military families are using the platform, and 12,558 child care spot rentals have been facilitated, according to Air Force officials. Nearly 22,500 weeks of child care availability have been offered.

Generally, parents are required to pay for the weeks their children are away from military child care, such as when the family is on leave or when the service member is away on temporary duty. The app allows them to save those funds. When parents successfully sublet a child’s vacant spot, they receive a credit to their account.

For example, a family planning to take a vacation this summer might be able to offer their spot on the app, and it could be picked up by another military family who needs short-term child care as they make a permanent change of station move to or from the installation.

“Kinderspot has been a major win when it comes to supporting our members and their families with child care in the Air Force,” said Lt. Col. Tyler Hough, branch chief of the Air Force Business and Enterprise Systems Product Innovation, or BESPIN, in the announcement.

The rental fees are paid directly to the center at the renter’s rate. That rate is based on the family income of the renters, not the total family income of the family who has the permanent child care space.

The child subletting the spot must be in the same age group as the child with the permanent spot. Families without a child currently enrolled at a child development center must complete paperwork to become a verified renter at their center before booking available weeks through the app.

RELATED

The Kinderspot app is available for download on Apple and Android devices. The Air Force child care centers validate all users of the app to make sure they are eligible to either offer a spot or rent a spot.

None of the other service branches are currently considering adopting the app, officials told Military Times.

The Navy allows families with children enrolled full-time in child care to take 10 vacation days each year per child without having to pay for those days, said Destiny Sibert, a spokeswoman for Commander, Navy Installations Command. Their child care center may use that open space to accommodate hourly care during the child’s absence. In addition, the Navy child and youth program will hold a space for a military member who is temporarily detailed to another location at no cost if child care isn’t needed during that time, she said.

The Defense Department and service branches have been taking various steps and implementing programs to alleviate the shortage of child care for military parents.

Karen has covered military families, quality of life and consumer issues for Military Times for more than 30 years, and is co-author of a chapter on media coverage of military families in the book “A Battle Plan for Supporting Military Families.” She previously worked for newspapers in Guam, Norfolk, Jacksonville, Fla., and Athens, Ga.

Read the full article here

You Might Also Like

Over 20 million DOD users to get new online login verification process

After chase, US Navy, Coast Guard intercept 1,296 pounds of cocaine

Army announces Europe and Middle East deployments for six units

Army unveils new Mariner and Mountaineer Badges

Special Deals on Self-Defense Loads in July

Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

We Recommend
Trump responds to Charlie Kirk shooting: ‘We must all pray’
News

Trump responds to Charlie Kirk shooting: ‘We must all pray’

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey September 10, 2025
US Air Force may keep Minuteman III nukes operating until 2050: Report
SUV driver runs over 8-year-old boy on bike, flees the scene after checking on injured child
First Look: Redding Reloading 7-6.5 PRCW and 33XC Dies
Soldiers with high fitness test scores now exempt from body fat rule
Trump Criticizes Israel’s Attack On Qatar
Prince Harry and King Charles reunite in London for first time in over a year
News

Prince Harry and King Charles reunite in London for first time in over a year

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey September 10, 2025
Dem senator to oppose military honors for Capitol rioter Ashli Babbitt
Tactical

Dem senator to oppose military honors for Capitol rioter Ashli Babbitt

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey September 10, 2025
4 Mini-14 Myths That Just Won’t Die!
TacticalVideos

4 Mini-14 Myths That Just Won’t Die!

Line45 Line45 September 10, 2025
Pew Patriots
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
  • Guns and Gear
2024 © Pew Patriots. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?