Child Care

Child and Youth Programs provide Child Development and recreational services for children 6 weeks to 12 years of age. The Child Development Center provides full and hourly care for children 6 weeks to Kindergarten.  The School Age Center provides before and after school care and Day Camp experiences for children Kindergarten - Fifth grade. For more information, call the Child Development Center (601-679-2652) or the School Age Center (601-679-5252).

The Child Development Center at NAS Meridian is a developmental appropriate program that is responsive to the unique needs, abilities, and interests of all children. The Meridian CDC is accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The Creative Curriculum (My Teaching Strategies), the standard curriculum for all Navy programs, is designed to support individualized planning for children while guiding their learning.  The Child Development Center provides care for children ages six weeks through five years old (If not eligible for school). The age groups are separated into four different class levels: Infants (6wks-12Mo), Pre-toddler (13mo-24mo), Toddler (25mo-36mo), and Pre-school (3-5 year olds).

CDC is a program for all children that has support from “Kids Included Together” and other resources to help our staff to create an inclusive environment.  All military personnel, DOD civilians, and DOD contractors are eligible for fulltime care. The Meridian CDC's services are offered year-round for registered students. Fees associated with registration are based on each family's total household income. As a result of this, the price for enrollment of the children varies. There is a central waiting list that exists for all children birth to 12 years to provide fast, efficient and fair service to patrons. Miltarychildcare.com is an online service for all eligible patrons to discover several Child and Youth Programs before relocating. Children can be registered VIA www.Miltarychildcare.com. 

Additionally, the CDC offers "hourly care” when space is available. The rate is $8 per hour. Parents can make reservations for hourly care by calling the CDC 601-679-2652 or online at https://myffr.navyaims.com/meridiancyms.html. Reservations can be made up to a month in advance or on the same day care is needed. On a regular basis, families may not exceed 25 hours per week for hourly care services.  Please note that if any child is picked up after the posted facility closing time you will be charged a late fee of $1 per minute (not to exceed $15) in addition to the hourly rate that will continue to be charged until the child is picked up.

This program is currently inactive on this installation.

The School Age Care Program (SAC) offers before and after school care for children. The Meridian SAC is accredited through the Council on Accreditation and is also affiliated with the Boys and Girls Club of America. Children enrolled in kindergarten to 6th grade (ages 5-12 years) may attend the School Age Program. Meridian School Age Care provides an inclusive environment that is accessible to children with and without disabilities. Eligibility for the SAC program is available to children of active-duty service members, active reservists, Department of Defense employees and DOD contractors. The sponsor must provide proof of eligibility and employment. The SAC's services are year-round for enrolled children. Fees associated with registration are based on each family's household income. As a result of this, the price for enrollment of the children varies.

Additionally, the SAC provides hourly care, which is care for children paid for by the hour. The rate at the Meridian CDC is $8 per hour. Please note if any child is picked up prior to the posted facility closing time you will be charged a late fee of $1 per minute (not to exceed $15) in addition to the hourly rate that will continue to be charge until the child is picked up. Reservations can be made in person, over the phone 601-679-5252, or through MilitaryChildCare.com On a regular basis, families may not exceed 10 hours of care per child per week during SAC Before & After School Program. On a regular basis, families may not exceed 25 hours of care per child per week during Summer Camp. SAC provides a safe environment where parents who work can drop their children off before work and pick them up afterward. The school bus picks the children up from SAC in the morning, takes them to school and brings them back in the afternoon. 

Hours of operation accommodate the local school calendar. During Summer Day Camp, a variety of field trips are offered such as swimming, bowling, hiking, going to the theater, water parks, and much more. The School-Age Care Center features multiple large-screen televisions and a collection of musical instruments, as well as a billiards table, arcade machine and a basketball free throw machine. SAC also  offers a large selection of video games and video game consoles (Xbox, PS4, PS5 Wii U and Nintendo Switch). The computer room includes Apple iMac desktop computers and iPads.