Sept. 26, 2008
Q: My wife and I have been in Yokosuka for over two and a half years and recently had a baby boy. I’m active duty and my wife works as a civil service employee. Prior to our son’s arrival we planned and tried to make arrangements for child care before my wife’s return to work. We were on the waiting list at Child Development Center (CDC) for 10 months, but we kept getting bumped down the list because single and dual military personnel have priority. We checked for homecare providers, but they were all booked. We also checked the local Japanese schools, but even they had long waiting lists. The hourly CDC had space available and we managed to get reservations until we can secure permanent care for our son. However, two days after my son was in the hourly CDC, I was told to pick him up because I’m not single or dual military and I can’t use the hourly CDC for more than 25 hours a week. The lady at the counter was kind enough to explain to me that regardless if the place was empty, the main CDC would rather shut it down than allow us to stay there more than 25 hours because my wife is a civilian. My questions are: If everything in Yokosuka is catered to single or dual military, why allow civilian family members to escort their active duty spouses to Yokosuka if you are not willing or unable to accommodate them? Is the Commander Fleet Activities, Yokosuka attitude toward civilian spouses to have them stay at home and not be allowed to have careers of their own? Why do retirees or personnel, who choose to stay in Japan after their military service as local hires, allowed to use the CDC taking space away from those of us here on orders?

A: As noted in the OPNAVINST 1700.9, Military Child Care is a service provided to a finite portion of the population with the intent to assist in providing child care and youth services to support operational readiness, mission accomplishment and retention. Commander Naval Installation Command, Navy Child Youth Programs sets priorities and dual and single active duty children are giving priority in offering a viable care option before all other categories. It is indeed regrettably unfortunate, but it is possible that someone already on the waiting list could be bumped by a new requirement from someone in this higher priority category. We encourage you and all customers needing care to maintain regular contact with the main Child Development Center at 243-3219 to insure your request for care record is up to date. For example, we are regularly getting new Child Development Home providers open for business and your individual circumstances may change making one of these fine providers a match for your needs. Military retirees who are localhire US personnel, as well as other locally-hired US citizens, are granted rights and privileges under the Status of Forces Agreement, and United States Forces Japan, and Commander Naval Forces Japan instructions which includes access to Navy child care.