Child Development Center

Overview

The CDC is located in Bldg 60 and was opened for business in September, 2002. The facility includes 22 classrooms in addition to a gross-motor room, training room, and other support areas. This 31,000 ft state of the art facility also has five professionally designed playgrounds to meet the physical and social needs of the children.

The practices of Air Force Child Development Programs are based on current knowledge of child development and early childhood education. We are responsible for supporting the development of the whole child, meaning all areas of development are considered inter-related and equally important. Our program acknowledges that children learn through active, hands-on involvement with their environment, peers and caring adults. We respect each child’s unique interests, experiences, abilities and needs, thus allowing us to be responsive to and appropriate to each child. Children are valued as individuals, as well as part of a group. Likewise, our program respects and supports the ideals, cultures, and values of families in their task of nurturing children. We advocate for children, families, and the early childhood professionals within our programs.

Goals

• Foster positive identity and sense of emotional well-being
• Enhance social skills
• Encourage children to think, reason, question, and experiment
• Promote language and literacy development
• Build physical development and skills
• Support sound health, safety and nutritional practices
• Advance creative expression, representation, and appreciation for the arts
• Appreciate and respect cultural diversity
• Develop initiative and decision-making skills

Eligibility

Children ages six weeks to five years whose parents are active duty military, DoD civilian personnel paid with either NAF or APF funds, DoD contractors working on Schriever AFB, and military reservists on active duty or during inactive duty training are eligible.

The Child Development Center makes every effort to serve children with special needs. To assist with meeting the child’s needs, we ask that parents work closely with the director and the medical advisor. When approved by the medical advisor, the CDC accepts children with chronic health problems, including HIV positive children, for care and may employ persons with chronic health problems. The guidelines for the Centers for Disease Control are followed to ensure the protection of the health of all children and adults.

Fees & Charges

Weekly Care

Weekly fees are based upon a uniform sliding fee scale according to the total family income as outlined by DoD guidelines. Total family income includes wages, salaries, tips, long-term disability benefits, quarters allowances and subsistence allowances as well as in-kind quarters and subsistence received by the military member. A family’s fees may be established only once per year according to DoD guidance. Parents who are experiencing a financial hardship may submit a request for reduced child care fees to the Mission Support Group Commander for approval. Administrative staff can assist with this process.

All fees must be paid in full in advance of service by noon on Tuesday of the week. Please note that the full fee must be paid. The CDC cannot accept partial payment for fees. Parents who are on vacation or TDY must pay for the child care fees in advance or are encouraged to make arrangements for payments to be made by the due date. When parents are more than two weeks behind in payments, they will be denied service until fees are paid. If the fees are not paid within one week, the child’s space will be forfeited. Cash, personal check, and credit card payments are accepted. Cash payments must be made in person. Check payments can be placed in the drop box. Credit card payments can be made over the phone if the parent has provided written authorization for this prior to making the payment.

Hourly Rate

Hourly care is offered on a space-available basis for children over 12 months of age. The hourly fee is $3.00 per hour with a minimum charge of two hours.

Other Fees

If parents are late picking up their child(ren), a fee of $5.00 will be assessed as well as $1.00 per minute after 1805 hours. Pick up time is 1800 unless otherwise advertised.

Type of Care Available

Weekly Care

Weekly care offers a guaranteed space for child care each day of the week. Patrons are authorized to use up to 50 hours of care per week. However, children cannot be in the program for more than 10 hours per day. The Child Development Center offers a developmental curriculum. This simply means that children learn in a progressive and individualized manner. Children learn through hands-on experiences, active thinking, and experimenting with positive reinforcement with staff. Classroom environments are carefully planned to allow children to learn through playing, socializing, and experimenting with materials and toys selected with this goal in mind. The daily schedules are designed to offer a balance of structure, free choice, active and quiet times, as well as the opportunity to be an individual.

Hourly Care

Hourly care is offered on a space-available basis for children ages 12 months through five years. Reservations are recommended; however, children will be accepted if space is available. A minimum of two hours will be charged for all hourly care. Children receiving hourly care experience the same curriculum as those enrolled in weekly care.

Parent Involvement

Parents are encouraged to become active in their child’s classroom. They are welcome to volunteer for special events or activities in the classroom. A parent participation plan is available to all parents in an effort to provide you with information about special events. Additionally, parents are encouraged to take an active role in the Parent Advisory Board (PAB). A parent volunteer chairs this board and facilitates the meetings. All parents with children in the Child Development Center are invited to attend the meetings. Parents are welcome to visit their child any time during the day.

Additional Child Care Options

Returning Home Care

16 hours of FREE child care per child in a licensed Family Child Care home is available to deployed members returning home or during a two-week R&R. Members must use this service within 30 days of return. This service is available at Peterson AFB. For more information, call 556-4322.

Extended Duty Care

Child care in a licensed Family Child Care home for families who need care beyond the standard 50 hours per week is available for families who need care in the evening, on weekends, or during temporary shift changes. This service is available at Peterson AFB. For more information, call 556-4322.

Give Parents a Break

FREE child care for active duty AF families is available one Friday night per month at the Peterson AFB Child Development Center. Sponsored by the AF Aid Society, the service is designed to provide relief to families experiencing stress.  Members need to seek a referral certificate from any of the following agencies: First Sergeant, Commander, Chaplain, Airman & Family Readiness Center, Family Advocacy, or their medical physician. This service is available at Peterson AFB. For more information, call 554-9572.

Parents’ Night Out

Child care in support of this program is provided at either the Peterson AFB CDC or Youth Center and is available one Friday night each month from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. All persons eligible to use full-day or hourly care services may take advantage of this program. This service is available at Peterson AFB. For more information, call the Peterson AFB Child Development Center at 554-9572 or the Peterson AFB Youth Center at 556-7220.

Child Care for PCS

Sponsored by the AF Aid Society, 20 hours of FREE child care in a licensed FCC home to helps to relieve the stress felt by families during a PCS move.  Families with PCS orders are eligible to receive a certificate from the Airman & Family Readiness Center for use within 60 days of the family’s departure from, or arrival at their duty station. This service is available at Peterson AFB. For more information, call 556-4322.