ORS > DATS > Child & Family > Frequently Asked Questions

Because of a lapse in government funding, the information on this website may not be up to date, transactions submitted via the website may not be processed, and the agency may not be able to respond to inquiries until appropriations are enacted. The NIH Clinical Center (the research hospital of NIH) is open. For more details about its operating status, please visit cc.nih.gov. Updates regarding government operating status and resumption of normal operations can be found at opm.gov.

Click here to access details about the NIH Child and Family Programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand All

Child Care Centers
- How many child care centers are there?
  - There are three centers located in Montgomery County, Maryland - two on the main NIH campus in Bethesda and one on Executive Blvd. in Rockville. A fourth center in Research Triangle, N.C. serves NIEHS.
- What age children do the child care centers accept?
  - Ages range from six weeks to 12 years. Specific information about each center can be found on the Child Care Centers page. (At this time, our center located on Executive Blvd. in Rockville is the only center serving school age children.)
- Who is permitted to use the child care centers?
  - Priority is given first to parents or legal guardians who are Federal Employees or Trainees/Fellows who work for the NIH, then to Federal Employees of Other Federal Agencies, and then to NIH Contractors who work at an NIH facility in Maryland. (Only preschool-age children of NIH Contractors are eligible for enrollment in the NIH Child Care Centers.)
    
    NIH Volunteers, Guest Researchers and Tenants are not eligible to use the NIH Child Care Centers.
- Who operates the child care centers?
  - Each center is operated by an independent, non-profit corporation providing child care programs. Each center is governed by a Board of Directors. The center Board hires a qualified Director who is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the center, which includes supervising staff, overseeing curriculum, enrolling families, coordinating with the NIH, and maintaining compliance with health, safety and program requirements.
- How much is tuition?
  - Each Center sets its own tuition rates depending on center size, ages served and program expenses.
    
    For the most current rates see the Child Care Centers page.
- Who decides the tuition rates?
  - Each Center's Board of Directors sets the center's annual tuition rates based on projected expenses. Each center's operating expenses are paid primarily through parent tuition.
- Is there any tuition subsidy or reduced fee offered by the child care centers?
  - Each child care center offers a limited scholarship program depending on center size, ages served and program expenses. Specific tuition information can be found in the Family Handbook for each center and/or upon request to the Center Director.
    
    For more information see the Child Care Centers page.
    NIH Federal Employees (Title 5 and 42) are encouraged to apply the NIH Child Care Subsidy Program, if eligible. For more information see the NIH Child Care Subsidy Program page.
- Can I use dependent care FSA and the subsidy program in the same year?
  - Yes, as long as the total amount of funds used from both programs do not exceed the $5,000 limit set by the IRS. Any combined funds reimbursed over $5,000 may be subject to taxation.
- Is it a problem to enter the NIH campus due to enhanced security and health/safety measures?
  - NIH employees are issued ID badges to access campus and can use those to drop off or pick up a child.
    
    Non-NIH parents or guardians who need to access the NIH campus for child care reasons are issued a special ID badge and parking placard.
    
    Please refer to the NIH Security's Frequently Asked Questions for additional information and updates.
- Who do I contact to get information about the child care centers?
  - You can call each center directly or find specific information about each center on the Child Care Centers page. Be sure to check out the side-by-side comparison chart of the three NIH-sponsored child care centers.
    
    For general questions about the NIH Child and Family Programs, you may contact the NIH Child and Family Programs team at 301-827-3250.
Waiting List
Enrollment Process
Subsidy Program
- What is the Federal Employees Education and Assistance (FEEA) Childcare Services, Inc.?
  - FEEA Childcare Services, Inc. is the organization that the NIH has contracted with to administer the NIH Child Care Subsidy Program.
- Who is eligible to use the NIH Child Care Subsidy Program?
  - You must be:
    
    Title 5 or Title 42 NIH federal employees with a total adjusted household income of less than $100,001 are eligible. If you are unsure of your classification, you can check your NED self-service record at https://nedportal.nih.gov/ProcessPortal.
    
    NIH Trainees/Fellows and NIH Contractors are not eligible to qualify according to the Federal law. (Public Law 106-554, § 63. September 29, 2000).
- Am I still eligible if I contribute to a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA)?
  - If you are contributing to a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA), in accordance with Section 129 of the Internal Revenue Code, an employee can generally exclude from gross income up to $5,000.00 of benefits received under a Dependent Care Assistance Program each year. This would include the DCFSA and the NIH Child Care Subsidy Program. Employees who are receiving benefits from both programs may not exceed the $5,000.00 limit.
    
    For further guidance please refer to the Office of Personnel Management - Benefits Administration Letter .
- Am I eligible to receive subsidy for my stepchild?
  - Yes. Any child who lives in your home who is either:
    
    A biological child;
    
    An adopted child;
    
    A stepchild;
    
    A foster child; or
    
    A child for whom you are the legal guardian
- How do I apply for the NIH Child Care Subsidy Program?
  - NIH Federal employees interested in participating in the NIH Child Care Subsidy Program should carefully review all of the information and requirements on the NIH Child Care Subsidy Program webpage.
- When will I know if I qualify once I have submitted my application?
  - FEEA Childcare Services, Inc. will review applications, make subsidy decisions, and notify the applicant and child care provider of approval or disapproval within 10 business days upon receipt of a complete application and supporting documents.
- How will my child care provider be reimbursed?
  - Once your child care provider registers with FEEA Childcare Services, Inc. and is accepted, FEEA Childcare Services, Inc, will inform your child care provider about the procedures they will need to follow in order to be reimbursed.
- How long will it take for my child care provider to get reimbursed?
  - Anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks depending on when FEEA Childcare Services, Inc. receives your child care provider's completed application. The payments are paid on a monthly basis.
- Do I pay my child care provider the full amount of tuition or the percentage determined by FEEA Childcare Services, Inc.?
  - You pay the full pay amount of tuition until your child care provider receives their first reimbursement check from FEEA Childcare Services, Inc.
- I just found out about the NIH Child Care Subsidy Program and my child is already enrolled in a center. Can I apply for subsidy?
  - Yes. As long as you are using a licensed provider.
- Who do I notify if I leave my Federal job with NIH?
  - Subsidy participants, who leave the employment of NIH, are required to notify FEEA Childcare Services, Inc. and their child care provider immediately.
- What happens if I forget to notify the Subsidy Administrator that I left my Federal job at NIH and continue to receive child care subsidy?
  - You will be responsible for paying the subsidy money back to the Subsidy Program
- Who do I call if I have questions about my status?
  - Questions about your status or application process should be addressed to FEEA Childcare Services, Inc. at the following telephone number: (202) 554-0007, ext. 103.
- How is eligibility verified?
  - Eligibility is based on the most recent filing year's IRS Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). If filing separately, both spouses' AGI will be combined.
- Whom can the subsidy be used for?
  - The subsidy can be used for dependent children living within the household with parent(s) or appointed guardian(s), children under age 13, or if disabled, under age 18.
- Is the subsidy paid to me or to my childcare provider?
  - The subsidy reimbursements are paid directly to the licensed childcare provider through direct deposit and/or check reimbursement on a monthly basis, not to the NIH employee. Please ensure that the childcare operator will accept ACH (direct deposit) and/or check reimbursement before engaging in an agreement for services.
- How and when do I apply for the subsidy?
  - Applications can be submitted year-round for subsidy consideration. More information about how to apply can be found on the NIH Child Care Subsidy Program website.
NIH Back-up Care Program