Thousands of military families are stuck on childcare waitlists. More spots may not be enough to fix the deeper problems.

US military childcare development centers support service members and their families. There are, however, thousands of children waiting for spots to open up.

Airman Paden Henry/US Air Force

• Around 7,800 military children are waitlisted for childcare, according to congressional estimates.
• Advocates say the real number may be higher.
• Staff shortages and high attrition are persistent problems for military childcare facilities.

There are an estimated 7,800 children on US military childcare waitlists.