In regard to the outstanding staff and amazing services provided by the Hampton Roads ASYMCA: I do not think there are enough words that could possibly do justice to the miracle this program has been for our family. My daughter that attends the Pre-k program here had been at home with me as I was unable to find sufficient work to cover the costs of childcare until she was over four. It became increasingly difficult as I had no family here, was struggling to establish a community, and her father has been away most of her life and is currently called away again as I am writing this. It is so wonderful being able to not only justify having my sweet girl in a great program now that we can afford because of the scholarship we were so blessed to qualify for and receive, but to get so much from this place than I could have hoped for or imagined! The staff here puts so much love and energy into how they care for our children, their safety, their education, and their emotional growth and development needs. This has been a safe space that I know they truly put our children first; they also have a well-kept and sanitary environment and provide plenty of opportunities to keep families involved and encourage that communication lines are open so that our relationships with each other can grow and thrive. My daughter has severe allergies to peanuts and tree nuts, asthma, and eczema, and they have made sure she is safe and that their staff (who mostly consist of military family members that understand and empathize with our circumstances) are knowledgeable and accommodating. We have gained a community of people that truly understand what it is to live a military life. It can be so isolating, but since my daughter has started this program, I see such a spark in her, she LOVES it! She is in amazing hands, and I'm eternally grateful to everyone that is making this happen for our military children, and for military caretakers/spouses like me, allowing us to thrive in a wonderful community. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart! read more

When my husband left for a 9-month deployment, I suddenly found myself solo parenting our children around the clock. It was an incredibly rewarding yet exhausting time, and as his return grew closer, I realized I needed a little space to recharge, and my son could really benefit from a bit more structure in his days. I began looking into preschool options for our son, but I was nervous about sending him to a large public school setting. I wanted him to be somewhere he felt safe, seen, and cared for and where I could feel peace of mind knowing he was in good hands. The Armed Services YMCA preschool program was the perfect fit for our family. It felt like a nurturing, close-knit environment and familiar with the ins and outs of what military children go through. Exactly what we needed. But honestly, we wouldn't have been able to afford enrolling our son without the help of the grant. It made something that felt completely out of reach suddenly possible. From the very beginning, Tessa made the process so simple and stress free. Her kindness and support meant the world to us. And one of my favorite things is the daily classroom posts, getting to see my son smiling and having fun each day has been such a gift. It reassures me constantly that he's not just safe, but thriving. We're beyond grateful for the support and care we've received through the Armed Services YMCA. It has truly made a lasting impact on our family during a season when we needed it the most. read more

The Armed Services YMCA is absolutely phenomenal! Our family has been fortunate enough to have had the privilege of our daughter attending several of their amazing programs over the past couple of years! Their 5-Star Pre-K program is excellent and certainly lives up to the name "5 Star". Their summer camp is equally amazing. Currently, our daughter attends the ASYMCA School-Age Care program. I can assure you that this program is just as exceptional as their Pre-K and summer camp programs!! I would highly recommend them. Our family truly feels like an extension of the ASYMCA's "family". All of the teachers, assistants, and every member of their staff are always extremely welcoming, communicative, supportive, respectful, caring, loving, fun, professional, etc., etc. We never have to worry about her safety or quality of care because we trust them implicitly and are completely at ease knowing she is receiving the best care available. We are beyond satisfied and simply cannot give them enough praises and accolades. Our family is so thankful for them and their exceptional ability to consistently provide our daughter with a fun and safe environment that also fosters learning, stimulates growth, and enriches her life. read more

There aren't enough great things I can say about this program. We started OLL in January and have grown tremendously since then. Soleil (1 yr old) didn't participate much at first but Mrs. Jasmine has been able to help her socialize and particpate by creating a trusting environment and allowing her to be herself. Luna (4 yr old) had a hard time with deployment but was super excited to start "school". OLL has given her the opportunity to develop meaningful friendships and is always eager to go to class. she has become more independent doing the classwork and her love of learning has increased exponentially. For me this has also been a welcome space. I've been able to create a village of mom's who know the struggle of deployments and who are in the same boat as me. A place where we all understand the struggle and support one another. I strongly recommend OLL to any and every spouse, whether seasoned or brand new to military life with your kiddos. You will not regret it! Also, Tessa and her team work extremely hard to keep the kids active, interested and excited in their activities and monthly events! read more

The impact that the ASYMCA has on our community is incredible. Their Operation Little Learner's program has been an absolute life-saver for my family and I. We all know how difficult it can be to find and build a village with how frequently we move. Through this program, my son and I were able to meet new people, make new friends, get out of the house regularly (which was very new for us since he was born shortly before everything shut down due to Covid), and explore the area with the monthly field trips that are available. The classes are designed for the short attention span that young children have, but are very engaging and educational. The instructors make the classes fun and it's clear how much they enjoy working with the kids. After every class we brought home some type of craft, and after the graduation at the end of the session we took home a booklet of handprints we'd made throughout the session - it was amazing to see how much my son's hand grew in just a few months. Without this program, my experience in Virginia would not have been nearly as positive or enjoyable - and it was FREE! read more

I can't say enough good things about the Armed Forces YMCA. From day one, we've been welcomed into a warm, caring community that's genuinely focused on helping each child grow and thrive. Our daughter, River-Song, has absolutely blossomed since joining their program--she's more confident, more curious, and more engaged than ever before. What really sets this place apart is the staff. They're kind, patient, and truly invested in the kids they work with. It's clear they love what they do, and that passion shows through in every interaction. We've seen firsthand how their support and guidance have helped River-Song reach new milestones and find real joy in learning. This experience has been a gift to our whole family. We're so grateful for the positive impact it has had on River-Song's life, and we can't wait until our youngest is old enough to start there too. If you're looking for a place where your child will be embraced by a caring community and given every opportunity to shine, the Armed Forces YMCA is the place to be. read more

YMCA armed forces has been a true blessing to my family. we were in norfolk from 2017-2021 and I learned about all they had to offer right before we PCS'd to TN. in July 2024 we moved back to the Hampton roads area and one of the first things I did was visit the YMCA. they have grown so much since and are doing so many amazing things. everything is to help military families and provide resources needed to survive and thrive in this military community. From the YMCA preschool, to the little learners classes, they offer parents night out, and a free food pantry. This last year with moving and battling the high overpriced economy it's been rough for a family of 5 on an enlisted paycheck. But Everything has been free of cost and has really helped my family during this rough year. i am overly grateful for everything they have to offer because it has held my family so much these past few months. If you have not visited to see what kind of programs they have to offer you definitely should! read more

The Operation Little Learners (OLL) program at the Armed Services YMCA of Hampton Roads has been such a blessing for our family! From the very first session, we felt welcomed and supported by the amazing staff. Each week is filled with fun songs, interactive stories, and the cutest themed crafts that my little one can't stop talking about. It's been so rewarding to watch my child grow in confidence and social skills while learning through play. We sing the songs from class at home all the time--it's become part of our routine now! The crafts are always creative and meaningful, and I love that we get to take something home to remember each week by. As a military family, it also means so much to be part of a program that truly understands our unique lifestyle and provides such a strong sense of community. We are so grateful for the OLL program and can't recommend it enough to other families looking for a nurturing and enriching experience for their little ones! read more

As a military family, the Armed Services YMCA's Pre-K program has been nothing short of a blessing. With the uncertainty and frequent transitions that come with military life, it means so much to have a place where our child feels safe and supported every day. The teachers/staff have been an incredible support system--not only for our child, but for us as parents--offering compassion, consistency, and encouragement that truly makes a difference. On top of that, having access to affordable, high-quality child care has lifted a huge weight off our shoulders and allowed us to better balance the demands of military life. It gives us peace of mind knowing our child is growing, learning, and making friends in such a nurturing environment. This program has brought us comfort during stressful times and has truly made a lasting impact on our family. We're so grateful for the warmth, stability, and sense of community it provides. read more

I am incredibly thankful to be a part of the MDG program that allows my child to attend such an amazing child care center. As a parent, knowing that she is in a nurturing and secure environment brings me immense peace of mind. This opportunity means my daughter can learn, grow, and socialize in a space that prioritizes her well-being, while I'm able to focus on work and other responsibilities with confidence and relief. This grant has truly lifted a burden from our family and opened a door to new possibilities. The center's caring staff, enriching activities, and warm atmosphere have already made such a positive impact on my child's development and happiness. I'm deeply grateful for the support that has made this experience possible, and I recognize how valuable it is to have access to such high-quality care at such an affordable rate. It's a gift that supports not just my child's present, but her future as well. read more

Our experience with the Little Learners program has been truly remarkable. My daughter not only enjoyed her time but also gained valuable skills and knowledge in a fun, engaging environment. Ms. Liz was kind, patient, and clearly dedicated to the growth and development of every child. I appreciated how the program balanced educational content with creative play, fostering a love for learning while building confidence and social skills. Seeing my daughter come home excited to share what she learned was a joy. Little Learners is a fantastic program that I would highly recommend to any parent looking to give their child a positive and enriching early learning experience. It's been a wonderful journey for our family! read more

Being new to an area is pretty intimidating. I learned about YMCA and OLL from another parent at the park. I was able to enroll my daughter and its the best thing that could have happened to us! She has grown out of her shell! She loves going to class and participating in all activities. Her favorite thing to do is the letter of the day handprints. I have made friends with other parents in the class and my daughter has also made friends who we have play dates with outside of OLL. I have learned more about resources in the area. I have signed up to take the course again as I can't wait to see her grow even more. It's also really nice that they offer OLL in multiple locations. read more

Armed services YMCA is a amazing experience.. My little girl joined the OLL class it has been the best thing ever for her. She was very non social with separation and stranger anxiety and even behind on her speech. That quickly changed with the class she is a totally different kid now for the better. It has build her confidence, exetremely social now and her speech is no longer an issue. Plus side extremely less meltdowns at home now. Thats all thanks to their amazing staff and teachers that have been extremely patient and loving! Especially if your new to the area like we were this is place to where we have found a new foundation ,support system and friends ! read more

The ASYMCA has been such a blessing for our family! I could say a million things about how supportive and top-notch every single staff member is. They have set the bar so high for the future of my children's education. My daughter has been lucky enough to attend both their P-K and wrap around care programs for two year and she has blossomed as a result. We love this facility and the teachers! Not only has my daughter learned to socialize and increased her knowledge about important life lessons, her being enrolled has allowed me to go back to work in a rewarding non- profit career. read more

my son and I participated in the operation little learners program around the hampton rd area for 3 semester and it was an incredible experience. I highly recommend this program. You get so much support from the staff My son still talks about what he remembers from our experience. This program definitely prepared my son for Pre k. If you are a military wife with young children under the age of 5, I highly recommend you register for this program. You have questions, Mrs Tessa Thompson, OLL or any administrator, will guide you, and is readily available to answer any question. read more

we absolutely loved the operation little learners program. I only say loved because unfortunately we have out grown the program do to age. we have met some amazing friends and teachers who have become friends from this program. Definitely would recommend OLL to all military families with little ones. My son started with the Virtual classes, and my daughter took the class a bunch of times and we have had three different teacher, all were wonderful. we loved all the different field trips and craft and convo days too. thank you asymca for an incredible program. read more

The Armed Services YMCA has been such a blessing for my family. Being a military family in a place where you do not have a village is hard, but the ASYMCA has given us a sense of community and has welcomed us with open arms. Our son thrives there and looks forward to going to school to see his best friends. He learns something new every day and is always surprising us with the things he can do. The ASYMCA has had an immeasurable impact on our family and I am forever grateful for the opportunity to be a part of their community. read more

ASYMCA Hampton Roads has been a blessing to our family. This was our son's first experience away from home as he did not go to daycare and we do not have family around. They made the transition to pre-K - three as smooth as I think it could possibly be, our son fell in love with his teacher and watching him bloom socially has been one of the most amazing experiences. He's a very shy and reserved kid and we've watched him grow leaps and bounds in less than a year. I highly recommend their programs to anyone who is looking. read more

Operation Little Learners has been the highlight of our time in Hampton Roads. In the year and a half we have attended, my son has improved tremendously in his ability to socialize with other children and adults. This class cultivates a sense of community and helps to foster a welcoming environment, to develop friendships within the organization. Operation Little Learners has been instrumental in my child's development, and has provided me a sense of belonging within the community of parents and caregivers. read more