Child Development Centers in the Works on Coronado

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Josh Cassatt, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

May 24, 2010 - SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Naval Base Coronado will receive new additions to the base family including three child development centers (CDC) that will provide more convenient childcare locations for personnel stationed on Coronado.

One of the CDCs being built at Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI), located on Coronado, will be the only facility on the West Coast open 24 hours, offering around-the-clock service for single- and dual-military shift working parents, and those supporting overseas contingency operations.

The other two facilities, being constructed at NASNI and Naval Amphibious Base (NAB) Coronado, will be regular-hours facilities.

"Having a CDC on NAB and NASNI allows us to offer a new level of service to our Sailors and their families," said Capt. Yancy B. Lindsey, Naval Base Coronado commanding officer. "The convenient locations, quality of care and flexible schedule help service members focus on their work, knowing their children are receiving the best care possible."

There are currently six CDCs in the San Diego metro area, including Naval Base San Diego, Naval Base Point Loma, Marine Corps Recruiting Depot, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Naval Medical Center, and Murphy Canyon housing area, all of which can be out of the way for personnel stationed at Naval Base Coronado.

"Our new CDCs are not only comfortable, safe and attractive facilities, they will be conveniently located for parents assigned to or working on Naval Air Station North Island and Naval Amphibious Base Coronado," said Kathy Flynn, a San Diego-based childcare manager with the Navy's Child Development Program. "Our Sailors will be better able to do their jobs knowing their children are safe and close by."

"Having a CDC on base is going to be great," said Operations Specialist 3rd Class Nakia Levenberry, assigned to NAB Coronado. "I won't have to worry about being late to pick my son up due to traffic issues, and in case of an emergency I won't have to travel far to get to him. I also have the comfort of knowing he's close enough for me to check on during the day."

The decision to build the CDCs on Coronado was based on the demand and the available space to build.

"With more than 140 tenant commands and a growing Sailor population, NASNI and NAB were prime locations for CDCs," Lindsey said. "These centers will be convenient to all Sailors who work on these installations. In addition, the ready availability of real estate streamlined site approval and construction, which brings the centers into operation more quickly than off-base sites."

The regular-hours CDC on North Island is scheduled to be completed July 2010. The 24-hour facility is set to be finished October 2010, and the CDC on NAB Coronado is expected to have a January 2011 completion date, bringing the Navy's childcare program closer to home for personnel in San Diego.

"It is truly a top-notch service at a good price and indicative of the services the Navy seeks to offer its members and their families to improve quality of life and quality of service," Lindsey said. "In the end, Sailors will spend more time with their children."