Child Development Center, Defense Supply Center Columbus

Located on the Defense Supply Center Columbus, our Child Development Center (CDC) delivers hourly, part-day, full-day, seasonal and respite care for children in learning environments that encourage the development of motor, cognitive and social skills. Activities support the natural development of children and include individual, small group and large group experiences. Child care fees are based on total family income (excluding certain special pay and allowances), not rank or civilian grade. Our center provides care for up to 280 children ranging in age from 6 weeks to 6 years. We are certified through the Department of Defense (DOD) and accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Our mission in to provide quality, availability and affordability. While your child is with us, you can expect a safe, secure and clean environment; warm and loving staff/child interactions; learning activities that are both age and developmentally appropriate; and a commitment to establishing and maintaining strong parent partnerships every step of the way

For more information on our philosophy, curriculum and policies please review our family guide. Feel free to take advantage of our open door policy and stop in for more information or to tour our facility. We look forward to meeting you and your family!

"I NEED CHILDCARE -- WHAT DO I DO?"

We understand that as many of you begin to return to work onsite, the task of finding childcare may weigh heavy on your mind. In the spirit of transparency, we want to share that spaces at our Child Development Center (CDC) are extremely limited at this time and will continue to be through the remainder of 2022. This is due to an incredible shortage of qualified staff. Adequately staffing childcare centers is a challenge throughout the country right now, to include all branches of Department of Defense sponsored child development programs. We’re working closely with the Civilian Human Resource Agency (CHRA) to recruit for and fill our vacancies as quickly and efficiently as possible. If you are in need of childcare and are not already on our waiting list, we strongly encourage you to add your child as soon as possible.

Get on our CDC Waiting List as soon as possible

Visit www.militarychildcare.com, create an account and add your child to our waiting list.

If we don't have an immediate opening for your child...

check out the following resources:

www.actionforchildren.org/choosing-child-care Find information about childcare in your community, interview questions when looking for childcare, and tips for navigating the challenges of finding childcare.
www.childcaresearch.ohio.gov A powerful search engine to find Early Learning Development Programs.
www.jfs.franklincountyohio.gov/ Franklin County’s Guide to Early Learning & Child Care Programs
866-580-9046 Call Magellan Ascend with the Employee Assistance Program for assistance with childcare and parenting, summer camps and child health and safety.

Help us find our next amazing teacher!

Share our Child Care Provider job postings with your friends & family interested in working with young children in a lead, part time or flex position.

Learn More About Eligibility

Eligibility for the CDC is contingent on the status of the sponsor.

Eligible CDC patrons include:

Active duty military personnel.
DoD civilian employees paid from either appropriated funds (APF) or non-appropriated funds (NAF).
Reserve Component military personnel on active duty or inactive duty training status.
Combat related wounded warriors.
Surviving spouses of Military members who died from a combat related incident.
Those acting in loco parentis for the dependent child of an otherwise eligible patron (legal documentation is required).
Others authorized on a space available basis (to include DoD Contractors, other non-DoD federal employees, etc.)

In the case of unmarried, legally separated parents with joint custody, or divorced parents with joint custody, children are eligible for child care only when they reside with the Military Service member or eligible civilian sponsor at least 25 percent of the time in a month that the child receives child care through a DoD program.

Information on waiting list priorities will be posted soon. In the meantime, please contact the CDC with any questions about priorities.