Lessons from the Military to Fix North Carolina's Child Care Crisis

The U.S. Military’s Child Care Crisis and Its Lessons for Today

In the late 20th century, the U.S. military faced a significant threat to national security that wasn’t related to traditional conflicts or global tensions. Instead, it was a lack of affordable, accessible, and high-quality child care. This issue became a critical challenge as the military shifted from a conscription-based model to an all-volunteer force after the Vietnam War. More service members had families, particularly with young children, and many were dual-income households. This shift created a growing demand for child care services, which the existing system struggled to meet.

The situation mirrored today’s challenges in civilian communities, where rising costs, limited availability, and insufficient public investment have left many families without reliable child care options. In response, the U.S. government took action by passing the Military Child Care Act of 1989, which prioritized affordability, accessibility, and quality for military families. This program has since become a model for publicly subsidized early care and learning, serving approximately 200,000 children annually.

A Historical Perspective: The Lanham Act and Early Experiments

Long before the Military Child Care Act, the U.S. government recognized the need for child care during World War II. As women entered the workforce in large numbers to support the war effort, the Lanham Act of 1940 established a nationwide, universal child care system for working families. Federal grants supported communities that needed child care for children under 12, focusing on those working in the defense industry. Between 1943 and 1946, $1.4 billion (in 2025 dollars) was distributed across more than 600 communities in 47 states. The program funded the construction of child care facilities, teacher training, and meal programs.

Research by Chris M. Herbst of Arizona State University found that the Lanham Act increased maternal employment and improved long-term outcomes for children, including higher earnings and lower reliance on public assistance. The success of the program was due to broad support from parents, educators, and employers, who saw the value in investing in child care for the collective good.

The Military’s Modern Child Care Model

Today, the military operates a comprehensive child care system that includes four main types of programs:

• Child Development Centers (CDCs): Provide care for infants through preschoolers, operating during standard work hours.
• Family Child Care (FCC): Offered by qualified professionals in their homes, with flexible care options.
• 24/7 Centers: Designed for families with non-traditional schedules, such as shift workers.
• School Aged Care (SAC): Facility-based care for children from kindergarten through the end of summer after seventh grade.

Military-operated child care programs are held to higher standards than most state requirements, often needing accreditation from organizations like the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). These programs offer a sliding fee scale based on income, making high-quality care more affordable for military families.

Child Care Challenges in North Carolina

North Carolina faces similar child care challenges as the military did decades ago. The state has seen a decline in licensed child care programs, with many closing due to the end of pandemic stabilization efforts. Military families may be eligible for the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN) program, which helps cover fees for high-quality care in civilian communities. Some areas also have access to MCCYN-PLUS, which expands eligibility to include programs participating in local quality rating systems.

Despite these efforts, the demand for child care continues to outpace supply, especially in regions with large military populations. For example, North Carolina is home to 12 military bases and over 130,000 active-duty service members, making child care a pressing issue for both military and civilian families.

Lessons for Policymakers

Policymakers can learn from the military’s approach to child care. Key lessons include:

• Do not be daunted by the task: Change is possible, and progress starts with a clear goal.
• Acknowledge the seriousness of the problem: Inaction has real consequences for families and the economy.
• Improve quality: Establish and enforce high standards, provide training, and ensure fair compensation for educators.
• Keep parent fees affordable: Subsidies and sliding scales help make child care accessible for all.
• Expand the availability of care: Continuously assess needs and take action to address gaps.
• Commit resources: Investing in child care is essential for long-term stability and growth.

Experts like Susan Gale Perry of Child Care Aware of America and Linda Smith, a former architect of the military child care system, emphasize that solving the child care crisis requires sustained commitment and thoughtful policy design. As North Carolina and other states grapple with this issue, the military’s experience offers a valuable roadmap for creating a more equitable and effective child care system.