Child care is essential to military readiness – and after decades of investment and support, the Department of Defense now runs what is widely considered to be among the best, highest-quality child care systems in the country.

• Read more about the transformation of the military in “Lessons on Child Care, From the Military”  

Through our early learning program accreditation systems and our resources, NAEYC supports both the military’s system, and the educators, children, and families who rely on it.

• Check out this feature about NAEYC member and Family Child Care Interest Forum leader Tessie Ragan, family child care provider at Edwards Air Force Base, California 

Quotes from Military Leaders 

• “The CYS staff takes great pride in the care they provide the children and youth of our community, and retaining accreditation is a tribute to their job performance and desire to make [our] programs some of the best in the U.S. Army.” 
• "Since everything we do to earn the accreditation regards taking care of children, our program will help our Servicemembers, Civilians, and Families throughout the garrison to get better child care service." 
• “Our childcare has always been top-notch, but we have really upped our standards and quality to be unrivaled in this service. We are honored by our responsibility to take care of the children and cherish their presence in our community.” 
• “This accreditation validates that our staff are delivering child development programs that are of a high quality, which is the foundation children’s future success. Parents can be comforted in knowing through this evaluation that their child’s early development is of superior quality.” 

Interested in history? Learn more about where it all began.  

• The Proud Story of Military Child Care (Child Care Exchange) 
• Examining the Effects of Accreditation on Military Child Development Center Operations and Outcomes | RAND  

And check out more from our partners:  
 

• Child Care Aware of America: Fee Assistance and Respite Child Care 
• Child Care Options for Military Families via childcare.gov  
• National Military Family Association 
• Operation Child Care Project