In 2017, then Major Jacque Vasta found herself in a situation that countless military parents know well. She was preparing for an eight-week temporary duty while her husband was preparing for deployment. Bringing along their one-year-old daughter, she thought arranging care at another base would be a straightforward process. The military, after all, had child development centers (CDCs) on every installation. Surely, she thought, short-term childcare would be a straightforward process.
What she found, however, was far from simple. Securing an unused slot meant scouring bulletin boards, posting in local Facebook groups, and having awkward conversations with other parents about income-based fees. Coordinating age groups added yet another layer of complexity. At the time, the system was cumbersome, inefficient, and unreliable.
“It felt messy and frustrating,” Vasta recalled. “If I were struggling this much, I knew other families were facing the same challenges.
That realization was her light bulb moment. It sparked the idea that would eventually become Kinderspot, a mobile app that connects military families with available short-term childcare slots across the Air Force. What began as one parent’s frustration is now a solution serving thousands and reshaping how the Air Force thinks about family readiness.
Solving the Problem
Vasta had a clear vision: build a platform that worked like Airbnb, but for childcare. Families could list unused CDC slots when they were away on temporary duty, and other families could book them without the burden of side deals or awkward conversations.
Her timing couldn’t have been better. By 2019, the Air Force was actively calling on Airmen to bring forward grassroots solutions. With mockups created by a fellow airman and encouragement from peers, Vasta began pitching her idea anywhere someone would listen.
By 2020, she had the chance to take Kinderspot to the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Innovation Rodeo, a Shark Tank-style competition designed to spotlight airmen-powered innovations. Her relatable story resonated immediately. Kinderspot won first place, securing the resources to transform her vision into an actual product.
Built for the Community
Just as momentum was building, COVID-19 brought unexpected delays. But for Vasta, the pause became an opportunity. Instead of rushing development, she and her partners, including the Air Force Services Center and contracted developers, used the time to listen. “We interviewed parents, CDC staff, and administrators before writing a single line of code,” Vasta explained. “We wanted to make sure we weren’t just solving my problem, but the broader problems families faced every day.” Those conversations shaped the app’s earliest features, from pricing structures aligned with military policy to streamlined tools for administrators. Even now, family feedback drives every update. As Vasta and her team put it, “Software is never really done. It evolves.”
Learning Through Pilot Programs
In 2021, Kinderspot entered its pilot phase at nine bases. The rollout quickly validated Vasta’s user-centered approach. Families wanted faster ways to check availability without committing to the entire enrollment process. At overseas installations, unexpected technical hurdles surfaced. Joint bases introduced unique network challenges.
“These are the kinds of things you only discover once the app is in families’ hands,” Vasta said. “Real-world use taught us lessons, and listening closely allowed us to respond quickly.”
Rather than discouraging her, these findings reinforced her commitment to agile development, iterating and improving as the community guided the way.
Scaling to 72 Installations
Scaling Kinderspot across the Air Force was not a one-time event but a phased journey. Working closely with the Air Force Services Centers, Vasta treated each new installation as its own mini-launch. CDC staff were trained on the administrative portal, parents were introduced to the app, and lessons learned were implemented into the design.
“Scaling wasn’t about doing everything at once,” Vasta said. “It was about growing in phases and making sure everyone had the required training and support. This gradual approach gave us the chance to keep incorporating feedback while growing quickly.”
By 2025, Kinderspot had expanded to 72 installations worldwide. More than 12,300 families have used the app, unlocking nearly 22,500 weeks of childcare.
A Legacy with a Future
Though her own children have aged out of CDC care, Vasta’s connection to Kinderspot remains deeply personal. “I hope my children see that if you believe in an idea and focus on helping others, you can create meaningful change,” Vasta said.
This story was published in America’s Defense Communities magazine. You can read the full publication here.
Photo courtesy of Jacque Vasta
