HomeMy WebLinkAboutEarly Childhood Education ProgramsArmed Services YMCA
of Hampton Roads
Two (2) Armed Service YMCA locations to serve Hampton Roads military families
▪Norfolk Childcare facility managed by the ASYMCA
Headquarters and financially supported by DOD
▪Full-day childcare for ages 6 weeks to 5 years
▪Opened in May 2025 with a second location located
in Virginia Beach anticipated in 2026
▪216 child capacity
▪Armed Services YMCA of Hampton Roads Center in
Virginia Beach providing numerous programs, including
Pre-K, Before & After Care, and Patriots Pantry.
▪All programs are offered at NO- or LOW-cost
▪85%of the funding to run this facility comes from
subsidies or donations
▪13-week "Parent and Me" Pre-K prep program for 18
months to 5 years
▪No cost program
▪Offered in 15 to 18 locations throughout Hampton
Roads
▪Meets two times a week/two hours a day
▪Approximately 400 attendees per week
▪Also includes once a month free field trip and craft &
conversation event
▪OLL is a built-in support system
"For me, this has been a welcomed space to create a village
of moms who know the struggles of deployments and are in
the same boat as me. A place where we all understand the
struggle and the need to support each other...This program
saved my life."- Operation Little Learner, Participant
▪In 2021, we opened a Pre-school which
follows the public-school schedule
▪Free tuition subsidy programs available
to those in need of assistance; all other
rates are based on rank
▪This program guarantees that military
children in need get the same
educational opportunities as their
civilian counterparts
▪½Day Pre-K opened this month
38 of our 48 military children receive tuition receive subsidy assistance and grants.
Children are resilient, but the
lifestyle of a military family can
present greater challenges including
difficulties and increased stress
caused by family disruption due to
deployment, family separation,
frequent moves and family trauma.
Children create "Magic Glasses" to remind themselves
to have EMPATHY and see things through a different lens
▪9-week after school program held at
local public schools
▪Children are referred by parent, teacher,
or counselor
▪Mini “group therapy” – 12 students
Before and After Care
Summer Camp
Patriot’s Pantry
Family Events
281% increase in Core Program growth in the last 5 years!
The need is growing, and we are ready to grow with it
We could really use
your help!
•Plans to establish a second location to
broaden our reach and enhance support for
military families.
•Located geographically near Oceana or in the
Kempsville area
•Centrally located to serve childcare needs of
children attending elementary and middle
schools
•Located near military housing communities
•Affordable office space to include area for
playground
•Total estimated square footage of 10,000-
12,000 desired
•Initial Capital Campaign decisions being made
with the next year
While many Americans believe
the public truly appreciates
military families’ sacrifices,
few military families agree.
Source: 2024 Blue Star Family Survey
Together, we can ensure that Virginia Beach remains a
beacon of support for those that serve.