a groups of preschool age children sit quietly on floor mats while their teacher reads to them

Child Care & Preschool

Preparing the Next Generation

Children are like sponges – they watch and absorb knowledge, skills and values from everything and everyone around them. At the Armed Services Y, we believe the values and skills learned during childhood are vital building blocks for quality of life and future success. Most importantly, children learn how to be their best selves. That makes for confident kids today, and contributing and engaged adults tomorrow.

Program Overview

The Armed Services YMCA offers high-quality, affordable child care and certified child development centers at many of our local branches. Visit our branch directory to inquire about child care at a branch near you.

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Armed Services YMCA offers affordable, accessible, high-quality child care services and preschool programs for military children ages 0-5. Our trained, dedicated, and caring staff prepare children for future success by teaching social skills, creativity, literacy, and fine and gross motor skills.

Junior enlisted families have an overwhelming need for child care. Affordable child care can increase a military family’s financial security and well-being, allowing service members to stay focused on their mission, and providing spouses and partners the opportunity to work and pursue education. With military spouse unemployment rates averaging six times that of the national average, accessible child care is vital to military family readiness and resilience.

Access to affordable, reliable, and high-quality child care opportunities provide families with financial stability and family resilience. For military families in particular, child care is essential to the mission readiness of the service member and to the employment of the military spouse.

Additionally, children enrolled in a high-quality Child Development Program:

  • receive quality early education that fosters cognitive and socioemotional growth;
  • build the cognitive and character skills that children need to do well in school and in life, including attentiveness, persistence, impulse control, and sociability;
  • build foundations for long-term success in life;
  • are more likely to earn higher wages, live healthier lives, and raise stronger families.

To get started on enrolling your child in our Before and After School program, please complete the enrollment forms listed at the bottom of this page. The enrollment packet and payment must be received before the student’s first day of child care.

Please note that Before and After School Care are two separate programs requiring separate registration paperwork and payment.