{"id":80042,"date":"2026-03-10T18:34:04","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T18:34:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2026\/03\/10\/military-child-care-centers-opening-with-lightning-speed-under-new-pilot-program\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T16:41:57","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T16:41:57","slug":"military-child-care-centers-opening-with-lightning-speed-under-new-pilot-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/management\/pay-benefits\/2026\/03\/10\/military-child-care-centers-opening-with-lightning-speed-under-new-pilot-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Military child care centers opening with \u2018lightning speed\u2019 under new pilot program"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Days before the U.S. military unleashed Operation Epic Fury against Iran, the second highest-ranking military officer was touring a new 30,000-square-foot child development center for military children in Arlington, Virginia, and praising the new effort to quickly meet military families\u2019 needs amidst the persistent shortage of child care. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The center \u2013 and two others like it in the pilot program<\/a> under contract with the nonprofit Armed Services YMCA \u2013 are being opened with \u201clightning speed,\u201d said Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Christopher J. Mahoney, at a ribbon cutting ceremony for the center, expected to open by the end of March. The power of the partnership between Armed Services YMCA<\/a> and the Defense Department helps empower military families, increasing readiness and resilience, he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Arlington center encompasses the third floor of the St. Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church, located in a civilian area a few minutes from Fort Myer and the Pentagon. It was built out to meet the requirements of the Defense Department, including special ramps on either side of the building to facilitate the evacuation of mobile cribs and buggies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first center in the pilot program opened in Norfolk in May 2025 and is at 100% capacity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The last of the three centers, opening in Virginia Beach this summer, will open just 28 months after the contract was signed. Military child development centers built in the military construction process<\/a> can take upwards of five years before opening. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between the National Capital Region and the Norfolk area, the waiting list has grown to about 2,000. The three centers will reduce that waiting list by more than 600, each with a capacity for 216 children. Families can request spots for their children in the centers at www.MilitaryChildCare.com, the portal for requesting all types of military child care. As of publication, 99 families had requested immediate spots at the Arlington center, with 260 requesting care in advance as they plan for the summer moving season. <\/p>\n\n\n\t