Here in Colorado Springs, military service is woven into the fabric of our community. Behind every service member is a family navigating deployments, training schedules, relocations, and the daily realities that come with military life.
Few people understand those realities better than Kayla Corbitt.
As a military spouse, mother, and founder of The Operation Child Care Project, Kayla has become a leading voice in raising awareness about the child care challenges facing military families across the country. Through advocacy, education, and storytelling, her work helps highlight an often-overlooked truth: access to high quality child care is essential to family well-being, economic stability, and military readiness.
We recently asked Kayla to share her perspective on why child care matters so deeply to military families and what communities can do to better support those who serve.
When we moved to Colorado Springs, the plan seemed simple: find housing, then find child care. It didn’t take long to realize those two searches had to happen at the same time. We couldn’t determine what we could afford without first knowing what child care would cost.
Because I work with families professionally, I knew exactly what I was looking for. I toured twelve child care centers, and Early Connections’ Antlers location, now the Alice Bemis Taylor Center, was number ten on my list. Within minutes, I knew my search was over. Before I left, I asked how soon my three-year-old could start.
Since then, what has impressed me most is the support we’ve received. Military fee assistance, UPK updates, and changing tuition are stressful for any family, but Early Connections has helped us navigate each step. That support gives me confidence not only as a parent, but also as someone who works with military families every day. When I recommend Early Connections, I know firsthand what those families will experience.
“For military families, reliable child care is about far more than convenience. Deployments, training, and frequent moves don’t happen on a predictable schedule. Service members can’t fully focus on their mission if they’re worried about whether their children are safe and cared for. Reliable child care is an essential part of military readiness.”
When people ask how they can support military families, my answer is simple: support the child care providers who support us. Invest in the places that welcome military children, strengthen working families, and make it possible for those who serve our country to do their jobs with peace of mind.
I’m grateful my son is part of the Early Connections community, and grateful to live in a place that understands how much quality child care matters.
