Being part of a military family means frequent moves—often every 2 to 3 years. For parents, this adds a significant challenge: finding safe, reliable, and affordable child care in unfamiliar communities.
The good news? If you’re relocating to or currently living in South Carolina, there’s a program designed to support military families just like yours.
What Is MCCYN-PLUS?
The Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood-PLUS (MCCYN-PLUS) program—sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)—offers fee assistance to help cover child care costs for eligible military families when on-base care is not available or when families live far from an installation.
In South Carolina, MCCYN-PLUS is administered in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Social Services, Division of Early Care and Education.
Who Is Eligible?
You may qualify for MCCYN-PLUS assistance if you are:
- Active-duty military personnel
- A member of the National Guard or Reserves
- A DoD civilian employee
To participate, families must use licensed child care providers that have earned at least a B+ rating through ABC Quality, South Carolina’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS).
MCCYN Program Highlights
- Fee assistance is for military families who cannot access care on base.
- Providers must be licensed, meet accreditation standards or QRIS benchmarks, and pass background checks.
- Assistance is based on your Total Family Income (TFI).
How To Apply for MCCYN-PLUS in South Carolina
- Register at MilitaryChildCare.com
- Create an account
- Join the MCCYN-PLUS waitlist
- Submit Required Documents
- Sponsor’s LES or pay stub
- Spouse’s pay stub or school enrollment verification
- Provider details (license, accreditation)
- Provider fee sheet
- Deployment orders (if applicable)
- Select a Provider
- Must be nationally accredited
- Approval & Reimbursement
- If approved, families receive monthly child care fee assistance
- Payments go directly to the provider
Need Help?
Learn more about MCCYN-PLUS at abcquality.org.
MilitaryChildCare.com is also your go-to support resource.
- Help with applications, eligibility, or finding a provider
- Phone: 855-696-2934
- Email: FamilySupport@MilitaryChildCare.com
- Website: MilitaryChildCare.com