Supplanting, which is in alignment with Department of Defense (DoD) policy, occurs when a family with higher priorities replaces a family with lower priority from childcare with adequate notice.

“Childcare is a workforce issue that directly impacts the efficiency, readiness and retention of the total force,” explained Maryann Coutino, director of Navy Child and Youth Programs, which is managed by Commander, Navy Installations Command. “The Navy recognizes the importance of providing service members and families with access to quality childcare services.”

Supplanting was paused during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that operations at Child Development Centers and School-Age Care programs are returning to normal operations, the Navy is re-implementing supplanting in order to prioritize childcare needs as required by DoD policy starting this month for fleet concentration areas with long waitlists. In July, the remaining Navy installations will implement supplanting.

As part of the policy, the following family types will not be supplanted:

• Single or dual active duty military or active duty Coast Guard with a full-time working spouse;
• Single or dual Guard and Reserve on active duty status or inactive duty training status or with a full-time working spouse;
• Combat-related wounded warriors;
• Gold Star spouses; and
• Child and Youth Program staff.

Per policy, the following family types may be supplanted by a family with higher priority needs:

• Active duty military/active duty Coast Guard with a part-time working spouse, a spouse seeking employment, a student spouse or a non-working spouse;
• Guard or Reserve on active duty status or inactive duty training status with a part-time working spouse, a spouse seeking employment, a student spouse or a non-working spouse;
• DoD and Coast Guard civilians;
• DoD contractors; and
• Other eligible patrons, including deactivated Guard and Reserve personnel, other federal employees and military retirees.

Families will receive a 45-day minimum notification if their child or children are to be supplanted. They will be permitted to reapply for care through MilitaryChildCare.com, which is DoD’s website for military and DoD-affiliated families seeking childcare.

For more information, service members and families can reach out to their nearest base Child Development Center.