Army Child Development Programs

What is it?

Army Child Development programs provide access and referral to available, affordable, quality child care programs and services that meet the basic needs of children, from birth through 12 years of age, in safe, healthy and nurturing environments. These programs are offered on and off installations and support Regular and Reserve components, including those families who are geographically dispersed. These programs include:

• Child Development Centers
• Family Child Care homes
• School Age Care Centers
• Army Fee Assistance

Information and registration for these programs are centrally managed at Parent Central Services locations. School Liaison Services coordinate with local school systems to ensure children enter school ready to learn. Installation child and youth programs are inspected annually for health, safety standards and developmentally appropriate practices. One hundred percent of programs are certified to operate by the Department of Defense and 98% are nationally accredited.

What are the current and past efforts of the Army?

Army child development programs are workforce enablers. Childcare services are essential in supporting critical first responders and mission essential personnel during Covid-19 operations. The Army will implement revised child care priority placement requirements Sept. 1, 2020, that give child care staff and military families first priority for care. Currently enrolled families will be notified. MilitaryChildCare.com will be updated to reflect the new priorities.

Past efforts include:

• Increased child care capacity with construction of 151 new Child Development Centers.
• Implemented new marketing plan to recruit new Family child care providers.
• Increased child care staff compensation to recruit and retain qualified staff.

What continued efforts does the Army have planned?

Army will continue to improve child care quality and access with the following initiatives:

• Add capacity at critical locations by planning to build approximately 10 new CDCs across the Army.
• Drive efficiency in the delivery of care by implementing cloud-based business processes.
• Assist with access to civilian child care through the Army Fee Assistance program when there are long waiting lists or when geographically dispersed.

Why is this important to the Army?

Army child care programs support Soldier and Family readiness by reducing the conflict between mission requirements and parental responsibilities, reducing stress of the military lifestyle and supporting spouse employment. Child and Youth Programs are a critical enabler of the Army People Strategy to acquire, develop, employ, and retain talent.

Resources:

• Deputy Chief of Staff, G-9
• Child Development Centers (CDCs)
• Child & Youth Services
• MyArmyBenefits
• Army Families
• Child Care Aware of America
• Military One Source
• Military Child Care

Related document:

• Army Strategic and Operational Readiness

Related STAND-TO!:

• U.S. Army Quality of Life Task Force
• Department of the Army, Deputy Chief of Staff, G-9