Parents who are active duty, Department of Defense employees or active-duty reserve, have all school-year to register their children, ages 3-5, for the "Part-Day Preschool" program at the Child Development Center South aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico.

Registration is based on availability and active duty members have priority. Cost is based on a sliding scale. Classes are currently filled for 3-year-olds on Tuesdays and Thursday from 8-11:30 a.m. or 12:30-4 p.m. However, there is still space for children ages four and five during the Monday, Wednesday and Friday session, which are offered during the same times.

Previously the CDC could not offer part-day preschool classes because there was an ongoing waiting list for the full-day programs. Now the program not only has ample space, but it’s also open to children of federal employees.

"‘Part-Day Preschool’ is a supplemental program that the Department of Defense said we can only offer if there is no waiting list for the full-day programs," said Jennifer Eaton, administrative specialist, children youth and teen program. "Once the new CDC opened [in Feb. 2013] and we depleted the waiting list, we were able to offer this program."

Now the CDC’s goal is to spread the word. Easton said although the program is nearly a year old, parents are just beginning to catch on.

"We opened up this program last November, so we kind of got a slow start because, by that time, most parents had already placed their children in [other] schools," Eaton said.

Unlike most schools that have an age cutoff date, once a child turns three, at anytime during the school year, they can be enrolled in the CDC’s part-day program. Additionally, Eaton said the program opens educational opportunities for children of most parents on base.

"It’s great for stay-at-home moms because [to be eligible for the] full-day program, both parents have to be working, so there really wasn’t anywhere for children of stay-at-home moms to get educational enrichment on base," Eaton said.

To register, contact the Resource and Referral Office at 703-784-0674 or 703-784-4453 or visit the CDC facility at 3314 Purvis Road.