The Best Daycare Centers in Travis AFB, CA
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Travis AFB. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Travis AFB
Bright Horizons at Travis Air Force Base
Bright Horizons Family Solutions
This Department of Defense-certified center offers comprehensive early education programs with a research-based curriculum. Features include age-appropriate learning environments, highly qualified teachers with early childhood education degrees, secure facility access, and nutritious meal programs. The center specializes in supporting military families with flexible scheduling and understands the unique needs of deployment cycles. Their World at Their Fingers curriculum emphasizes literacy, math, science, and social-emotional development.
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The Learning Experience - Fairfield
The Learning Experience
Located just 10 minutes from Travis AFB, this center offers a proprietary L.E.A.P. curriculum focusing on academic, physical, and social development. Features include state-of-the-art security systems, certified early childhood educators, interactive learning technology, and structured phonics programs. The center provides enrichment programs including yoga, music, and foreign language exposure. Their Bubbles U music program and philanthropy curriculum help children develop empathy and community awareness.
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Cadence Academy Preschool - Vacaville
Cadence Education
This NAEYC-accredited preschool serves many military families from Travis AFB with its comprehensive early childhood programs. The center employs degreed teachers and uses a play-based learning approach combined with structured academic preparation. Features include secure entry systems, outdoor learning environments, technology-integrated classrooms, and healthy meal programs. Their curriculum emphasizes STEM education, literacy development, and social skills while maintaining low student-teacher ratios for individualized attention.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Travis AFB, CA
What childcare options are available specifically for military families stationed at Travis AFB?
Military families at Travis AFB have access to several dedicated options. The Child Development Center (CDC) on base is a primary resource, offering full-day, part-day, and hourly care for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. It is nationally accredited and follows a structured curriculum. For in-home care, the Family Child Care (FCC) program licenses qualified military spouses to provide care in their on-base or nearby off-base homes, offering more flexible hours. Additionally, the School Age Care (SAC) program provides before/after-school care and summer camps for children in kindergarten through 6th grade. All Department of Defense programs use a centralized waitlist via MilitaryChildCare.com. Due to high demand, especially for infants and toddlers, it is crucial to register on this site as early as possible.
How does the cost of childcare at the Travis AFB CDC compare to off-base centers in Solano County?
Childcare costs at the Travis AFB CDC are based on a sliding fee scale determined by Total Family Income (TFI), making it significantly more affordable for most military families compared to the local market. For example, a family in a mid-tier income bracket might pay approximately $400-$650 per month for full-time infant care at the CDC. In contrast, comparable licensed centers in nearby cities like Fairfield, Vacaville, or Suisun City typically range from $1,200 to $1,800+ per month for the same age group. This substantial cost difference, coupled with the CDC's accreditation and convenience, makes base care highly sought-after, which is why waitlists can be long. Always verify your current TFI category with the CDC for the most accurate pricing.
What is the typical waitlist time for infant care at Travis AFB, and what can I do while waiting?
Waitlist times for infant care (ages 6 weeks to 18 months) at the Travis AFB CDC and FCC homes can be considerable, often ranging from 3 to 9 months or more, due to high demand and limited capacity. To manage this, you should register on MilitaryChildCare.com as soon as you have orders or know your arrival date. While waiting, explore multiple options: apply to several licensed FCC homes, as availability can vary; research off-base centers and home providers in Vacaville and Fairfield (using the California Department of Social Services' licensing lookup tool); and inquire about drop-in or hourly care at the CDC for temporary coverage. Being proactive and having backup plans is essential.
Are there any state of California licensing requirements or resources I should know about when considering off-base daycare near Travis AFB?
Yes, all legal childcare providers off-base must be licensed by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). You can verify a provider's license status, view inspection reports, and check for any violations on the CDSS website. California has specific staff-to-child ratios (e.g., 1:4 for infants) and safety regulations that may differ from other states. For local referrals, parents can contact the Solano County Child Care Resource & Referral agency. Additionally, California offers financial assistance programs like the Alternative Payment Program (APP) and CalWORKs Stage 1, which some military families may qualify for if they are not using the subsidized on-base care.
What backup or emergency childcare options exist for Travis AFB personnel with unpredictable schedules or during exercises?
Travis AFB recognizes the need for flexible childcare. The CDC offers a limited number of "Hourly Care" slots that can be reserved in advance for appointments, errands, or short-term needs, subject to availability. For true emergencies or last-minute requirements, the Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) may provide financial assistance for emergency childcare through their Falcon Loan program. During base-wide exercises or specific mission requirements, the Family Advocacy Program or your unit's Key Spouse may have information on temporary, coordinated childcare solutions. It's also wise to network with other families in your unit or neighborhood to establish informal babysitting swaps for unexpected situations.
Childcare Insights for Travis AFB
Finding quality childcare with immediate openings can feel like a pressing mission, especially for military families at Travis AFB. The unique rhythm of base life, with its deployments, shifting schedules, and the desire for a supportive community, makes the search for "daycares near me with openings" particularly important. If you're stationed here in Solano County and navigating this challenge, know that you're not alone, and there are pathways to finding the right care for your child.
Your search should naturally begin on base. The Child Development Center (CDC) at Travis AFB is often the first choice for many families due to its understanding of military life, subsidized fees, and high standards. However, waitlists can be long. The key is to get on their list immediately, even if you don't need care right away, and to inquire regularly about their "rolling openings." Sometimes, a spot can open up unexpectedly due to a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move. Don't hesitate to also contact the Family Child Care (FCC) program, which licenses certified in-home providers living in base housing or the local community. These providers offer a home-like setting with flexible hours that can better accommodate shift work, and they frequently have more immediate availability than the larger center.
Venturing into the surrounding communities of Fairfield, Vacaville, and Suisun City expands your options significantly. When searching online, use specific terms like "childcare openings in Fairfield, CA" or "Vacaville preschool availability." A highly recommended resource is the local resource and referral agency, **Child Care Links**. They maintain a current database of licensed providers throughout Solano County, including those with immediate openings. You can call them or use their online search tool to filter by location, age group, and, crucially, current vacancy status. This service is invaluable for cutting through the clutter of generic internet searches.
As you contact facilities, whether in Travis or downtown Fairfield, be prepared with specific questions tailored to a military family's needs. Ask about their experience with supporting children during a parent's deployment, their policies for flexible drop-off/pick-up times, and if they offer any discounts for military families. Inquire about their immunization and sick policies in detail. A personal visit is non-negotiable. Schedule a tour to observe the environment: Are the children engaged and happy? Is the space clean and safe? Trust your instincts about the warmth and professionalism of the staff.
Remember, persistence is your greatest ally. Openings in the best programs near Travis AFB can appear suddenly. Make it a habit to check in with your top three choices every week or two—a polite phone call can keep you at the forefront of their mind when a spot opens. Leverage your base community, too; your squadron's Family Readiness Group or fellow parents can be excellent sources of word-of-mouth recommendations for local home daycares or centers that might not advertise widely. By combining these strategic approaches—starting on base, utilizing local agencies like Child Care Links, and networking within your community—you can successfully navigate the search and find a nurturing childcare solution that brings you peace of mind during your service at Travis.