(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Peterson Space Force Base and Fort Carson have had to make adjustments to their childcare programs after staffing shortages. Fort Carson told FOX21 News that it had to adjust the enrollment of new children into its childcare program. The Army post said it is working as quic kly as possible to alleviate any impacts while also bringing on new direct-care staff to ensure they are providing services and support to Fort Carson families. A Space Base Delta 1 spokesperson said a memo was sent to Peterson Main Child Development Center (CDC) users asking eight families to voluntarily transfer their infant childcare services to an off-base licensed and accredited childcare center at no added costs through its Community Contracted Childcare program. The cause for the memo was one of the infant rooms closing effective April 11, due to staffing challenges and to maintain appropriate child-to-teacher ratios and ensure the children's safety and well-being. Peterson SFB launched the Community Contracted Childcare program in 2023 to address the high demand for childcare, and since its inception, to March 2025, has reduced its childcare waitlist by 150 children. The spokesperson said Peterson SFB is working through hiring freeze exemptions as fast as possible, but it will take time to hire, onboard, and train new hires. "Space Base Delta 1 is sensitive to the challenges with moving to an off-base childcare facility. While the number of available classrooms and infants cared for fluctuates with the changing population at Peterson SFB, the installation looks forward to reopening the infant childcare room," said a Space Base Delta 1 spokesperson. ...read more read less