Army Quality of Life

Child Care

The Army provides quality and affordable care for children ages six weeks to 18 years of age and is investing in initiatives to increase access to child care. Each year, Child, Youth & School Services supports more than 226,000 children and youth through a system of both on- and off-post options.

Programs include on-post child development centers, school age centers, Family child care homes, and youth programs along with youth sports and fitness. The Army also offers school support services and community-based programs along with deployment support. Parent and Outreach Services provides registration, enrollment, records management and payment services at CYS Services’ “one-stop” locations on installations.

Resources

Child Care & Development

Child Care
  • Army Fee Assistance Program helps offset the cost of child care for Families.
  • Child Development Centers offer on-post full-day, part-day, hourly child care, and extended duty day care to include the Strong Beginnings Pre-Kindergarten program. They may also include standalone CDC annexes and satellite sites.
  • Family Child Care (FCC) program provides quality home-based care for children 4 weeks to 12 years old and is offered in government owned and government leased housing located on post.
  • MilitaryChildCare.com is the DoD’s single online gateway for Families seeking child care, providing Families with easy access to comprehensive information on all military-operated and military-subsidized child care options across all Services worldwide.
  • Military OneSource programs and services that support the everyday needs of the 5.2 million service members and immediate family members of the military community.
Child Programming
  • Child, Youth & School Services recognizes the challenges of our Soldiers and their Families. By offering quality programs for children, youth and students, CYS supports the Army Family by reducing the conflict between mission readiness and parental responsibility.
  • DOD Military Outreach Initiative offers no-cost fitness facility memberships and respite child care services for eligible active-duty military and their families nationwide.
  • School-Age Centers (ages 6-12 years) offers before and after school programs, weekend activities during the school year, and summer care and camps during school vacations. Care is provided by trained staff and operations are subject to DoD certification.
  • YMCA Military Outreach offers specialized services to help military families manage the unique challenges they face every day.
  • Youth Centers (ages 11-18 years) offers comprehensive, supervised program options and affordable, quality, predictable services that are easily accessible for eligible youth in grades 7 through 12 (may include 6th grade depending on local school configuration).

Education

Adult Educational Support
Child Educational Support
  • Department of Defense Educational Activities (DoDEA) Schools is committed to ensuring that all school-aged children of military Families are provided a world-class education that prepares them for postsecondary education and/or career success and to be leading contributors in their communities.
  • Military Child Education Coalition helps children growing up in military Families by providing them, their parents, and professionals with programs, resources, and guidance—helping the child stay on course academically, socially, and emotionally.
  • School Support Services work directly with Families, educators, and military units to ensure smooth transitions and deliver resources to military-connected students and their Families.
  • Tutor.com offers no-cost, online tutoring and homework help for Military Families.
Special Needs Guidance and Support
Scholarships

Employment

Policy