The Army Child and Youth Services (CYS) provides affordable childcare programs for Army families. Costs are typically based on family income. Programs range from daycare facilities to sports and fitness programs.

Children of active duty Soldiers are eligible for Child and Youth Services programs.

The U.S. Army Child, Youth and School (CYS) Services mission is to reduce the conflict between mission requirements and parental responsibilities. Programs are designed to support the needs of Army families located on military installations, in areas where there is no installation, or where services are unavailable at installations due to high demand. The CYS professional staff work hard to make sure they deliver their families:

• QUALITY programs and childcare
• AVAILABILITY of childcare options and youth programs
• AFFORDABILITY for soldiers and the Army
• ACCOUNTABILITY for our actions and outputs

CYS Services System of Care includes:

• Child Development Centers (CDCs) (Ages 6 weeks - Kindergarten) - Assists eligible families receive monthly fee assistance (paid directly to the child care provider) to help offset the cost of Child Care in their communities. Army Fee Assistance Program guidelines state that if there is space available for a Sponsor's child/children at an Army CDC/FCC/SAC, then such space must be used for the care of their child/children.
• Community Partnerships (All ages) - Through partnerships with organizations such as 4-H, the American Legion, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, CHARACTER COUNTS!, Military Child Education Coalition, the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies, Operation: Military Kids and organizations in the local community, CYS is able to deliver quality education programs to children and youth, as well as provide support to Army Families.
• Family Child Care (FCC) Program (Ages 4 weeks - 10 years) - Are available both on- and off-post from trained childcare providers who work as independent contractors for CYS Services. FCC Homes provide full-day, part-day and hourly care for children in a home environment where children can develop motor, cognitive, social and emotional skills through a balance of exploration and planned curriculum. Learning activities are designed to support the natural development of children and include individual and small group experiences.
• Instructional Classes (All ages) - SKIESUnlimited, School of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration, and Skills, is the framework for all Army Child, Youth & School Services instructional programs. The program is designed to complement, expand, and support the academic, life skills, and athletic experiences children and youth have within Army CYS programs and in schools.
• School Age Services (SAS) (Ages 6 - 12 years) - SAS include before and after school programs, weekend activities during the school year, summer care, and camps during school vacations. Through partnerships with groups such as 4-H, CHARACTER COUNTS!, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America, installations help children learn to work with their strengths, interests, and each other, to feel good about themselves, and to grow as individuals. Programs are offered in the core areas of leisure, recreation, and the arts; sport and fitness; life skills, citizenship and leadership; and mentoring and support services.
• School Support Services (All Ages) - Army CYS Services School Support initiatives provide a variety of programmatic strategies and resources that help "level the playing field" for transitioning military students. These initiatives prepare schools and installations to respond confidently to the complexities of transitions and provide families the assurance that their children's academic well-being is a priority.
• Youth Sports & Fitness (Ages 3-18 years) - Provide opportunities for children and youth to be engaged in fun physical activities and to develop life-long healthy habits - acquiring the life skills to achieve a balanced lifestyle for mind, body and spirit. A variety of traditional and non-traditional sports, games, and activities teach sportsmanship, team building, goal setting, and self-discipline. Sports and Fitness programs utilize standardized programs and curriculum from the National Alliance for Youth Sports, 4-H, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and CHARACTER COUNTS!
• Youth Centers  (Ages 11 - 18 years) - Army Middle School and Teen Programs are designed specifically for middle school youth and teens to ensure that the physical, cognitive, social and emotional needs of youth are addressed, and predictable services provided. Youth Services offers programs in the following areas: sports, fitness & health options; life skills, citizenship & leadership opportunities; arts, recreation and leisure activities; academic support, mentoring, and intervention services.

For more information, please visit the CYS Services webpage maintained by the U.S. Army Installation Management Command, IMCOM G-9, Army Family and MWR:
https://www.armymwr.com/programs-and-services/cys/child-youth-services

In addition, CYS Services childcare programs on Army installations may be located via the MyArmyBenefits Resource Locator Library: https://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Benefit-Library/Resource-Locator

For active duty military, including mobilized or deployed Reserve and Guard personnel, living in an area where no childcare is offered or is unavailable at an installation due to high demand, use:
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/