Military Child Care Near MCAS Miramar: Using MCCYN Fee Assistance in Mira Mesa

Orders to MCAS Miramar mean a new home, a new unit and, for many families, a fast search for child care.

On-base child development programs are a wonderful option when a space opens up, but waitlists are common, and many families need care sooner or closer to where they live. That is exactly the gap Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood, or MCCYN, was created to fill.

Our Mira Mesa campus sits a short drive from MCAS Miramar, and Early Learners Children’s Academy accepts MCCYN military fee assistance along with San Diego’s other child care assistance programs. Here is what military families should know, including an important change to the program in 2026.

What is MCCYN?

MCCYN is a Department of Defense fee assistance program for eligible military families who cannot access military-operated child care because of distance or waitlists. It helps make licensed, community-based child care affordable by closing the gap between what you would pay for care on an installation and what care costs in the community. The assistance is paid directly to your child care provider, so you pay only your share.

MCCYN is offered across the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps, and each branch sets its own details. It is not an entitlement program, which means assistance depends on available funding and families may sometimes wait for an offer.

An important 2026 change for Marine Corps families

Starting in June 2026, administration of MCCYN fee assistance for Marine Corps and Air Force families began moving from Child Care Aware of America to the MilitaryChildCare.com Fee Assistance Management team. Many older guides still send families to Child Care Aware first. If you are a Marine stationed at Miramar, start with your household profile on MilitaryChildCare.com instead.

Who is eligible?

Eligibility generally includes active duty service members, reservists on active duty and some Department of Defense civilians who cannot access installation child care. The exact rules vary by branch, but most families will need:

• A household profile on MilitaryChildCare.com, with a request for care made for each child who needs assistance.
• A self-certification form listing the children who will receive fee assistance.
• Proof that a spouse is working or in school. A spouse who is looking for work may receive fee assistance for a one-time, 180-day period.
• An eligible child care provider. Participating centers must hold a state child care license and meet the program’s quality requirements.

Depending on your branch and how close you live to an installation, you may be asked to request on-base care first. Your program administrator can confirm what applies to your family.

How to apply, step by step

1. Create your household profile on MilitaryChildCare.com.
2. Request care for each child who needs fee assistance.
3. Tour and choose a provider. Let the center know you plan to use MCCYN.
4. Submit your supporting documents, including employment or school verification for a spouse.
5. Start care. Once your family’s eligibility and your provider’s eligibility are verified, assistance is paid directly to the provider.

One detail families often miss: Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy MCCYN does not cover registration or enrollment fees. That is one reason our current offer of free registration and one week of free tuition can make a real difference when you are settling in.

Other child care assistance programs we accept

Not every family qualifies for military fee assistance, and not every family we serve is military. Early Learners Children’s Academy also accepts payment through San Diego County’s subsidized child care programs, including YMCA Childcare Resource Service and Child Development Associates.

These programs help eligible families pay part or all of the cost of licensed child care, based on income and need, and they pay the provider directly. Eligibility has recently expanded to include many families who take part in programs such as Medi-Cal, CalFresh and WIC. To check eligibility, visit childcaresandiego.com or call San Diego County’s Centralized Eligibility List at 1-800-521-0560.

You can see every option on our Tuition and Assistance page.

Why military families choose our Mira Mesa campus

Military families move often, so consistency matters. Here is what families stationed at Miramar tell us they value:

• A convenient location. Our Mira Mesa campus at 9585 Candida St is a short drive from MCAS Miramar and serves families across Mira Mesa, Kearny Mesa, Scripps Ranch, Miramar, Sorrento Valley and Rancho Peñasquitos.
• One place from infant to pre-K. We care for children from six weeks through five years, with infant care at four babies per teacher, a smaller eight-to-one room for two-year-olds and twelve to one in preschool.
• Familiar faces. Our director has been with us for 13 years and our lead teacher for 12, which gives children a steady base even when life at home is changing.
• Updates all day. Through the Brightwheel app you will see photos, notes and messages throughout the day, which helps when one parent is away for training or deployment.
• Hours that fit a duty day. We are open Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

Frequently asked questions

Does MCCYN pay the full cost of child care?

No. MCCYN covers the difference between what you would pay for on-installation care and the cost of community care. Your family still pays its share, which the program sets based on its fee policy.

Can I use MCCYN while I am on a waitlist for on-base care?

MCCYN exists for families who cannot access military-operated care because of distance or waitlists, so being on a waitlist is often exactly when it helps. Your program administrator will confirm your eligibility.

Does MCCYN cover registration fees?

Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy MCCYN does not cover registration or enrollment fees. Ask us about our current free registration offer when you tour.

Ready to see the Mira Mesa campus?

The best next step is a visit. Schedule a tour or call our Mira Mesa campus at (858) 530-8200, and let us know you plan to use MCCYN or another assistance program so we can talk through next steps together.