Child Development Centers

Welcome to the Navy Child and Youth Programs (CYP)! Choosing child care and youth programming for your family is an important decision, which may be further complicated by military lifestyles. Navy CYP provides quality programs and services to nurture and support children as they navigate life in a military family, including care for their children during nontraditional work hours. The Navy is also dedicated to supporting the inclusion of children of all races, ethnicities, and abilities in CY programs. Navy policies, practices, and procedures reflect a commitment to inclusion and support of all children with and without disabilities or other special needs.

Text MAYPORTCYP to 1(904)293- 1321 to receive updates right on your phone!

Philosophy:

Navy CY programs provide high-quality educational and recreational programs for children and youth. Teams of caring, knowledgeable professionals plan developmentally appropriate programs that are responsive to the unique needs, abilities, and interests of children. CYP professionals are trained to foster a sense of independence, trust, and responsibility within each child through understanding and respectful interactions. Programs are designed to support the ideas, cultures, and values of families in their task of nurturing children and youth. Staff are advocates for children, families, and the child and youth professionals within our programs and surrounding communities.

Goals:

• Navy CYP strives to promote optimum social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development of children and youth through support of the following goals:
• Build physical development and skills
• Promote social competence and positive relationships with others
• Foster emotional well-being and a sense of trust and respect for self and others
• Encourage children to think, reason, question, and experiment
• Develop initiative, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Advance creative expression, representation, and appreciation for the arts
• Promote language and literacy development
• Develop self-discipline and the ability to seek out and complete self-selected tasks
• Cultivate respect and appreciation of differences and the uniqueness of diversity and traditions
• Support sound health, safety, and nutritional practices.

Our CYP Professionals:

Specific skills and competencies have been identified that our CYP professionals must possess to meet each child’s need for nurturing and developmentally appropriate care. Navy CYP professionals are highly trained in child and youth development and are experienced in planning developmentally appropriate programs. Ongoing training also supports continuous professional development and ensures that the latest developments in the field are implemented in the CYP.

Additionally, all of our CYP professionals undergo extensive background checks. In Child Development Homes (CDHs), providers and each family member residing in the home are required to complete appropriate criminal history checks prior to caring for children. At facility-based programs (e.g., Child Development Center, School Age Care program, 24/7 Center, Youth program), staff with background checks in progress may work at the CYP if preliminary investigations are favorable and they are in the line of sight of another CYP professional with a completed background investigation. CYP professionals without completed background checks must be clearly identified via the use of different colored smocks or shirts. For instance, if your child’s provider is wearing a blue smock or shirt, background checks have been satisfactorily completed. If he or she is wearing a red smock or shirt, background checks are ongoing and the CYP professional must be in the line of sight of an approved staff member at all times.

MWR Mayport hosts two Child Development Center (CDC) facilities located in off-base housing. Our program offers full-time and hourly care for children 6 weeks through 5 years old.  Hourly care is based on availability and reservations can be made 30 days in advance. Child care is open to active duty, DoD personnel, reservists on active duty, and contractors associated with the base. CDC fees are established by the DoD and are structured on a sliding scale based on total family income. Both facilities feature an on-site kitchen, which prepares meals for breakfast, lunch, and snacks according to USDA guidelines.

Registration for full-time care can be made at militarychildcare.com. Once a child is registered and on the waitlist, other childcare options can be found at childcareaware.org. 

*Child care is open to active duty, DoD civilians, reservists on active duty or inactive duty for training, and contractors associated with the base. CDC fees are established by the Department of Defense and are structured on a sliding scale based on total family income. Both facilities feature an on-site kitchen, which prepares meals for breakfast, lunch, and snacks according to USDA guidelines.

MWR Mayport offers special events throughout the year. Click HERE to view the upcoming events at MWR Mayport.