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Child and Youth
Navy Child and Youth Programs (CYP) consist of four basic types of care: Child Development Centers (CDCs), Child Development Homes (CDHs), School-age Care (SAC) and Youth and Teen Programs. CYP staff have received extensive training for childcare and are required to maintain continuing education to ensure the most up to date childcare can be provided. All child care programs are open to Active Duty Service members, DoD civilians and contractors. Fees are based on total family income and vary for full time care.
Apply for Child Care
Military families seeking child care within Naval District Washington can make a request online at MilitaryChildCare.com. MilitaryChildCare.com is a DoD, centralized website which allows families to search for and request care, manage their requests, and update their profile online, making it easier to find child care. Simply create an account online at MilitaryChildCare.com. Then search the system for the child care options that best fit your needs and submit your request(s). The program will contact you when space becomes available.
To get started, visit MilitaryChildCare.com. For questions/support, call 855-696-2934.
Hourly Care
Hourly care is available at a rate of $8.00 per hour with a 2-hour minimum and a maximum of 25 hours per week for children ages 6 weeks-5 years old. Hourly care is open to all with base access and meet eligibility. Hourly care is closed weekends and federal holidays
Download a registration packet here or pick one up at your local center.
CYP Facilities available at NSA Bethesda:
Austin's Playroom
Austin's Playroom is temporarily closed.
Hourly Care is currently offered in CDC I and CDC II.
Austin's Playroom is dedicated exclusively to Hourly Care for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years. Hourly Care is limited to 25 hours per week. Austin's Playroom is sponsored by the Mario Lemeiux Foundation and is managed by NSA Bethesda Child and Youth Programs. No Navy endorsement is implied.
Child Development Center I
Child Development Center I, Bldg. 26
Child Development Centers (CDCs) provide full-day early care and education (ECE) services for children ages 6 weeks through preschool (or until the child enters kindergarten) in a center-based learning environment.
CDC I and CDC II are accredited from the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The Centers also hold Department of Defense certification and participate in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program for meals serving breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack.
CDC professionals use The Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies to provide developmentally appropriate activities that nurture children socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually to reach child development milestones and school readiness skills.
ELIGIBILITY
CDC facilities are open to children of active-duty military service members, active reservists, Department of Defense employees and DoD contractors. The sponsor must provide proof of eligibility and employment.
Military families seeking child care within Naval District Washington can make a request online at MilitaryChildCare.com. MilitaryChildCare.com is a DoD, centralized website which allows families to search for and request care, manage their requests, and update their profile online, making it easier to find child care. Simply create an account online at MilitaryChildCare.com. Then search the system for the child care options that best fit your needs and submit your request(s). The program will contact you when space becomes available.
To get started, visit MilitaryChildCare.com. For questions/support, call 855-696-2934.
CYP ONLINE
Make payments, hourly care reservations and so much more online through CYP ONLINE.
Child Development Center II
Child Development Center II, Bldg. 87
Child Development Centers (CDCs) provide full-day early care and education (ECE) services for children ages 6 weeks through preschool (or until the child enters kindergarten) in a center-based learning environment.
Both centers are accredited from the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The Center also holds Department of Defense certification and participates in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program for breakfasts, lunches and afternoon snacks.
CDC professionals use The Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies to provide developmentally appropriate activities that nurture children socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually to reach child development milestones and school readiness skills.
ELIGIBILITY
CDC facilities are open to children of active-duty military service members, active reservists, Department of Defense employees and DoD contractors. The sponsor must provide proof of eligibility and employment.
APPLY FOR CHILD CARE
Military families seeking child care within Naval District Washington can make a request online at MilitaryChildCare.com. MilitaryChildCare.com is a DoD, centralized website which allows families to search for and request care, manage their requests, and update their profile online, making it easier to find child care. Simply create an account online at MilitaryChildCare.com. Then search the system for the child care options that best fit your needs and submit your request(s). The program will contact you when space becomes available.
To get started, visit MilitaryChildCare.com. For questions/support, call 855-696-2934.
CYP ONLINE
Make payments, hourly care reservations and so much more online through CYP ONLINE.
Austin's Playroom HOURLY CARE
Hourly Child Care
INFORMATION
Hourly care is available at a rate of $8.00 per hour with a 2-hour minimum and a maximum of 25 hours per week for children ages 6 weeks-5 years old. Hourly care is open to all with base access and meet eligibility. Hourly care is closed weekends and federal holidays.
REGISTER FOR HOURLY CARE
Children must be registered in the program to attend. The Navy CYP Registration Form is used by families to enroll children and youth in a Child and Youth program. Parents are encouraged to complete the form electronically and then email the completed form to their CYP. A separate form must be completed for each child the family is enrolling in the CYP.
The NSA Bethesda Child Development Centers can be contacted by phone at 301-400-1200 or 301-295-0014 to set up a registration and orientation appointment.
MAKE RESERVATIONS
Existing families can make reservations using CYP Online Services at https://myffr.navyaims.com/ndwcyms.html. If the desired date/time is not available, please call the local center to be added to the hourly care wait-list, or check the CYP Online Services website periodically for changes in availability. The NSA Bethesda Child Development Centers can be contacted by phone at 301-400-1200 or 301-295-0014.
School Liaison
NSA Bethesda School Liaison
The School Liaison works to connect commanders, educators, and parents. They serve as subject matter experts for K-12 education issues. The primary function of the School Liaison is support to DoD-eligible families with school-age children to ensure smooth transitions between schools and positive educational experiences. The School Liaison can provide numerous resources to assist families, educators, and commands in their efforts to create positive and supportive educational environments for military children. Support is available by phone and EMAIL during normal operating hours.
REGISTER for SL Events and Workshops
EMAIL the NSA Bethesda School Liaison
K-12 Education News NEWSLETTER
JUNE 2025 Newsletter
Anchor For Life Videos
Montgomery County Public Schools
World Language Immersion Program for MCPS K-5 students
Montgomery County Public Schools FAQ
Frederick County Public Schools
Frederick County Public Schools FAQ
Additional Links
Navy Before and After School Care
Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission
Military One Source-Pre-K-12 Education Information
Department of Defense Education Activity
Navy Exceptional Family Member Program
Home Schooling Legal Defense Association
Find school information worldwide at this official source for installation and local information: https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/
Navy School Liaisons Provide Seven Core Services to Assist Families
- School Transition Services (PCS Cycle): School Liaisons assist families with school transfers and help "level the playing field" for military children and youth.
- Deployment Support: School Liaisons connect educators with the Navy deployment support system to inform them about the cycles of deployment and the tools available to assist educators in working with Navy children.
- Command, School, Community Communications: School Liaisons serve as subject-matter experts for installation commanders on K-12 issues, helping to connect command, school, and community resources.
- Home School Linkage and Support: School Liaisons assist Navy families by gathering and sharing information on homeschooling issues, policies and legislation from local school districts, and help leverage Navy Child and Youth Programs resources to support these families.
- Partnerships in Education (PIE): PIE creates a volunteer network of resources to support installation and community members who have a vested interest in the success of all youth. The role of the School Liaison in the PIE program is to serve as a conduit between Navy commands, schools, and CYP to establish relationships among the individuals and organizations involved in PIE initiatives such as "Adopt-A-School," Career Day speakers, and job Shadowing.
- Post-Secondary Preparations: School Liaisons leverage installation and school resources to provide graduating military-connected students with access to post-secondary information and opportunities.
- Special Needs System Navigation: School Liaisons provide information about installation and community programs and services, make referrals to the Exceptional Family Member Program, and offer assistance in navigating the administrative systems within local education agencies.
Permanent Change of Station
If your family is planning a PCS move, don't forget to formally withdraw your child(ren) from their school. In most cases, you will receive a withdrawal or transfer packet with important information from your child's school file that will make it easier to enroll in the new school. For more tips on how to make school transitions as smooth as possible, contact the school liaison.
Moving OCONUS with school-aged children? DoDEA's online registration system allows parents to pre-register their dependents for school in a secure online environment. This system is also beneficial in providing the receiving schools with advanced awareness of student enrollment. Pre-register your child for school today through the online registration system.
The Non-DoD Schools Program (NDSP) provides support and funding for the education of authorized command-sponsored dependents of military members and Department of Defense (DoD) civilian employees assigned to overseas areas where no DoDEA school is available within the commuting area. At these locations, DoDEA supports a variety of options for children ranging from home school programs to public or private schools. Approval for the enrollment of an eligible minor dependent of a DoD sponsor must be obtained from DoDEA NDSP office prior to enrolling a child in a non-DoD school. Enroll your child today using this online registration system for NDSP.
Resources
|
Local School Information |
Transition Assistance |
Post-Secondary Support |
|---|---|---|
| School Listings for Local Area | Checklist for School Moves | College Planning Timeline |
| Registration Information | Helping Children with Change | College and Career Search |
| Graduation Requirements | Homework Help and Study | Test Preparation |
| Home Schooling | Youth Sponsorship | Paying for College |
