The provision of 24/7 care supports families’ child care needs 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and is more than simply the provision of child care after hours. Nontraditional care primarily serves military personnel who work nontraditional hours – such as shift workers or watchstanders – so they can balance the competing demands of family life and military readiness. Installations are required to offer an extended care program to meet the needs of military members working nontraditional hours. The extended care program may be offered through a 24/7 CDH subsidy program or in a dedicated 24/7 Center. 

Kids Cove 24/7 combines the strengths of both in-home care and traditional center-based care. Facilities are home-like and at the same time provide more than one professional to supervise children and more opportunities for child socialization in large groups similar to center-based care. These homes are available in fleet-concentrated areas and are DoD certified.