The ASYMCA’s DoD CDCs are operated by the ASYMCA in partnership with the Department of Defense (DoD), providing early childhood education exclusively for military and DoD civilian families to meet military child care needs in high-demand areas of the country.

This partnership with the DoD provides the excellent care standards of a state-certified CDC while offering the registration process and DoD sliding scale tuition rates that military families are familiar with at all on-installation DoD CDCs. This partnership ensures military families have access to affordable, high-quality care in the most high-demand areas, regardless of income.

ASYMCA CDCs are solely operated by ASYMCA’s local branches and are not funded by the DoD. As a certified CDC, these locations are state-licensed and accredited, providing a high standard of care and and high-quality early learning to better prepare children to enter school.

Branch-led accredited CDCs are able to implement curriculum tailored to meet or exceed local academic standards. As a non-DoD provider, the enrollment process is unique to each location, and affordable tuition is set by the branch. Additionally, branches may accept local tuition assistance programs, scholarships, and grants to further subsidize the cost of tuition for military families.

ASYMCA’s Before & After School Care programs prepare students for future success by supporting both cognitive development and social-emotional growth with opportunities for enrichment and connection through STREAM-based learning activities, educational partnerships, homework support, daily physical activity, opportunities for creativity, engaging lessons, and activities that focus on character development, resilience, and more.

Tailored to meet or exceed local educational standards and the needs of the local military community, Before and After School Care programs may be offered directly in local elementary schools, or at ASYMCA facilities.

The Armed Services YMCA provides drop-in, short-term child care that helps parents make their health a priority.

Children’s Waiting Room is a unique program the provides child care services at, or near, installation clinics, that improves access to health care by removing lack of child care as a barrier, enabling parents to keep scheduled appointments without the stress of finding child care outside of the hospital. Appointments are encouraged for Children’s Waiting Room, with walk-ins provided on a space-available basis.

A traditional program offered at YMCAs, Child Watch is also offered at select ASYMCA locations. This program provides up to two hours of child care at gym facilities so parents can pursue distraction-free workouts, which improves health, lowers stress, and supports healthy living.

Through programs like Operation Little Learner the ASYMCA helps build confidence in parents in their role as their child’s first teacher.

Parent-involved early education programs guide and provide tools to parents to enhance key areas of early childhood development and offer opportunities for parent-child bonding. These programs also provide a setting for both parents and children to make new friendships and feel part of a community, which is critical in the lives of military families.

Children receive a head start through an increased ability to develop healthy relationships and handle conflicts, which can help children achieve an overall higher quality of life well into adulthood. Additionally, children are provided with a variety of activities that enhance cognitive, emotional, social, motor, and other skills.