Child Care

Child Care is available aboard the Depot, however, the waiting list is extensive and you should be prepared to consider other child care options. The MilitaryChildCare.com assists in child placement in all metro Child Development Centers and Child Development Homes. Visit the MilitaryChildCare.com where you can find comprehensive information on child care programs worldwide, conduct a customized search for the care you need and submit a request for care at any time and from any location.

All Child Development Centers (CDC) in San Diego are DoD certified. All Centers are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The goal of the CDC is to provide children with developmentally appropriate childcare following all instructions set forth by Bureau of Personnel. MCRD CDC hours of operation are 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 pm, Monday-Friday with limited drop-in care provided. The CDC at Naval Base Coronado (Naval Air Station North Island) offers twenty-four hour care. There is no state mandated preschool program; however, the CDC utilizes the Creative Curriculum, which is based on a solid foundation of theory and research. Contact MCRD CDC at 619-524-4430 for more information

Eligibility

All active duty military personnel, DOD civilians, contractor employee working in the Navy Region Southwest, reservists on active duty or in training (with orders) are eligible. They will assist families enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program. Priority care may be given to Dual Active Duty families, Single parents, and members on individual augmentee assignment.

Registration

Visit https://militarychildcare.com to find comprehensive information on child care programs worldwide, conduct a customized search for the care you need and submit a request for care at any time and from any location. Follow these four simple steps!

• Create an Account: Go to military childcare.com to create an account containing information about your family, or to login using an existing username and password.
• Search for Care: Search the system for the child care options that best meet your needs.
• Request Care: You can select one or more options and submit your requests for care. The program will contact you when space becomes available.
• Manage Requests: You can manage your requests for care from anywhere in the world.

Costs

Weekly child care fees for the CDH Program are set by DoD and are determined by total family income. There is a subsidy program for Single Marines and Sailors, Dual Military couples or Service member whose spouse works full time or is a full-time student and have children up to age 3. For a list of fees please visit, Child and Youth Program Fee Policy (URL https://sandiego.navylifesw.com )

Child Development Homes (CDH) gives military families a quality home-like alternative to center-based care. Services are provided in on-base government housing and off-base civilian housing. The CDH Program is a cost-effective means of expanding childcare capacity by offering convenient childcare options for full-day, part-day, evenings, weekends, and hourly care (where available). CDH providers are highly qualified professionals operating as independent businesses providing care for children 6 weeks through 12 years of age.

Navy certified Child Development Homes Providers offer high quality developmentally appropriate care. CDH providers are trained and certified by the Navy CDH program to ensure providers are familiar with and understand Navy regulations and meet health and safety standards. As independent business owners, CDH providers have more flexibility than centers in the type of care they provide. Smaller group sizes also support a more responsive experience for children and allow them to set their own hours and types of care they wish to provide such as 'infant only' or extended/24/7 care or care for children with special needs. Providers have the flexibility that centers cannot always accommodate. Navy CDH providers offer a diverse and rich experience for children in their care and are monitored by the CDH program staff to ensure providers are offering the highest quality of care to military children.

Eligibility

Eligible patrons include children of military personnel, DoD civilian personnel, reservists on active duty or inactive duty for training and retired members. Priority care may be given to dual active duty families, single parents, and members on individual augmentee assignment. In addition, there are often no wait times for Child Development Homes, some of which offer 24-hour care for single military parents or dual-active couples with children affected by duty days. For more information, Child Development Homes https://sandiego.navylifesw.com

Costs

Weekly child care fees for the CDH Program are set by DoD and are determined by total family income. For a list of fees please visit, Child and Youth Program Fee Policy https://sandiego.navylifesw.com 

Contact Local CDH Office for More Information

Metro San Diego Child Development Homes (CDH) Program Office
Naval Base San Diego, Bldg 3639 Norman Scott Rd.
Phone: 619-556-7394

Child Care is available aboard the Depot at the Child Development Center, Bldg. 638 (Tel: 619-524-4430), however, the waiting list is extensive and you should be prepared to consider other child care options.

Programs Offered

The School Age Care (SAC) program offers before/after school care as well as day camps:

• Before and After School Program - This program is designed to meet the needs of school-aged youth (five to twelve years) in the hours before and after school. Organized and supervised activities are planned and conducted at specific times before and after regular school hours.
• Day Camp / Intercession - This program is offered for youth between the ages of five and twelve and is conducted during school holidays and summer vacation/intercession periods. Day camp activities include arts and crafts, sports, games, swimming, field trips, outdoor recreation, cultural programs and special events.
• Tiny Tot classes are offered to children ages three to five years old. This part-time program provides an open environment where your child can participate in arts and crafts, music and rhythm, story time, social games, movement and much more.
• Fees vary; please contact the SAC Program for more information.

There are eight housing area recreation centers which offer before and after school care as well as day camps for children ages three to seventeen. For details on any of these programs or services, contact the local Housing Area Recreation Center or call 858-268-2828 or visit Youth Programs https://sandiego.navylifesw.com

Finding childcare takes time but planning ahead can alleviate some of the stress on your family. Centers in Metro San Diego are located on Naval Base San Diego, Naval Base Point Loma, Naval Base Coronado (Naval Air Station North Island and Naval Amphibious Base), Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Naval Medical Center San Diego, Murphy Canyon Housing, Chollas Heights Housing, and Liberty Station Housing areas. For center phone listings, please visit the San Diego Metro Child Development Center https://sandiego.navylifesw.com webpages. The following child care programs are available: full time, part time, drop-in, pre-kindergarten, extended hours, respite care, before and after-school, summer and holiday camps.