Amid a growing push by Navy leaders to improve the lives and conditions for sailors, the sea service’s installation command is building four new child-care facilities and has plans for 12 more over the next several years.
A spokeswoman for the Navy Installation Command told Military.com that the Navy has four centers currently under construction — one near the base in Kitsap, Washington, another near a base in San Diego, and two others around Norfolk, Virginia. All told, these represent the ability to look after nearly 1,000 more children.
Part of the aim behind the new facilities is to drive down the lengthy wait times that many service members encounter when attempting to enroll their children. However, officials also say that one of the key challenges for them is finding the staff to run the centers, as well.
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Dr. Janet Hooten, the regional program manager for the child-care centers in the Navy’s southwest region, told Military.com in an interview Tuesday that the wait in her area can be anywhere from 6-18 months for a spot.
Hooten oversees an area that includes all of California and Nevada — states that are home to some of the Navy’s largest concentrations, including the many bases around San Diego and the air base in Fallon, Nevada. Seven construction projects are in her area alone.
One reason for the growing demand, according to Hooten,…
