HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – The 66th Force Support Squadron will begin using a mobile app this month to centralize and streamline the subletting of short-term slots at the Child Development Center here.
The app, called Kinderspot, will help Hanscom AFB families sublet child care spots and earn a credit against their account.
“The concept is similar to what you would use for Airbnb, but instead of subleasing your house or apartment, you’re subleasing your child’s spot at the CDC,” said Maj. Jacque Vasta, who created the app while trying to sublease child care spots.
She pitched her idea at the 2020 Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Innovation Rodeo. Vasta won first place, and received $330,000 of funding and program support from AFIMSC Ventures to develop the app.
The app was first introduced in 2021 at nine installations.
“The Kinderspot app will allow Hanscom parents to save money by seamlessly subletting their child’s spot when they are out of town,” said Rachel Washington-Freeman, CDC director. “Week-long intervals can be offered to waiting-list parents with children of the same age.”
Families interested in utilizing Kinderspot must first create an account and register their child for care on www.militarychildcare.com.
Once an account is created, an administration clerk at the Hanscom AFB CDC will contact parents. Once these steps are completed, parents will be able to successfully lease a spot.
Parents can download the free app on Apple and Android devices to establish an account and begin offering or renting child care spots, starting on a weekly basis.
All local users eligible to share spots will be verified by Hanscom AFB CDC officials.
According to FSS officials, spot renters pay their rate to the CDC directly then spot holders are credited their existing rate.
The Air Force will introduce the app to five new installations per month through July 2024.
For further information, visit https://help.kinderspot.oddball.io/faqs/ or contact the CDC at 781-225-6128.