AIR FORCE CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS (CDPs)

Air Force CDPs are operated under the requirements of the Department of Defense Instruction (DODI) 6060.2, Child Development Programs, DODI 1402.5, Criminal History Background Checks on Individuals in Child Care Services, and Air Force Instruction (AFI) 34-248, Child Development Centers. The DODIs and the AFI were written to provide guidance for implementation of the Military Child Care Act of 1989/96 and the Crime Control Act of 1990. CDPs provide child care services for children, six weeks to five years of age. All military CDPs including Air Force programs must be accredited by an accrediting organization. Air Force centers are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Air Force Services has established standards for all Family Member Programs activities including for CDPs. These can be found on the Air Force Services Agency’s Website. Our programs are housed in Child Development Centers (CDCs) on Air Force bases worldwide for the convenience and peace of mind of military and civilian parents assigned to a base. The CDPs are within the Family Member Programs (FMP) Flight in the Services Squadron.

PHILOSOPHY

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 for 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

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

CURRICULUM

Each program implements developmentally appropriate activities that promote the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development of children enrolled. All programs have a Training and Curriculum Specialist who provides staff training on implementation of the curriculum and other safety, health, and child abuse prevention requirements in accordance with Air Force and DOD requirements.

ELIGIBILITY FOR USE

Eligible patrons include active duty military personnel; DOD civilian personnel paid from appropriated funds (APF) and nonappropriated funds (NAF), reservists on active duty or during inactive duty training, and DOD contractors. Each base establishes a priority system for each eligible patron to access the CDPs. Dual and single working military and DOD civilian parents are given a higher priority for care than other patrons.

ENROLLMENT

To request care parents must complete the DD Form 2606, Request for Care Record. This form is available on line and may be sent to the base before parents you arrive, so that their child may be placed on the waiting list. An AF Form 357, Family Care Certification or the equivalent from the other services is required to be on file at the CDP for children of single and dual military parents. Information on other forms and the immunizations/tests required is available from the CDC on each base. Parents and children are given an orientation to the program when they are first registered in a program and when they transition to another room.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

Each CDP has a Parent Advisory Board composed only of parents using the various CDPs. The board acts in an advisory capacity only and representatives of the programs attend the meetings to provide support and answer questions. Parents are given opportunities to be actively involved and staff and parents talk about the program and the care of their children on a daily basis.

STAFF

Our CDPs employ staff who have the qualifications and training required to protect the health and safety of children and provide a program of developmentally appropriate activities. Each program is provided oversight by the FMP Flight Chief and under is under the direction of a CDP Director or Assistant Director. The CDP/Assistant Directors hired since 3 March 1989 must have a 4-year degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university. The degree must be in child development, early childhood education, or a related field including, but not limited to education, social work, home economics, or psychology. Qualified staff are employed as Child Development Program Assistants (CDPAs) to provide direct child care and support children’s healthy development in the domains listed under “Curriculum.” CDPAs must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent among other requirements.

TYPES OF PROGRAMS OFFERED

FULL-DAY CARE/WEEKLY CARE

Full-day care meets the needs of parents working or in school on a full-time basis. Full-time care does not exceed 10 hours a day. Parents using for full-time care have a contract with the CDP so they are ensured a child care slot as long as they remain in full-time work or school status.

HOURLY CARE

Hourly care meets the needs of parents requiring short-term child care services on an intermittent basis when slots are available.

PART-DAY ENRICHMENT (PDE) PROGRAMS

The PDE Programs are offered for children 3-5 years of age that last 4 hours or less per day on a regular scheduled basis. Most bases offer a PDE program when space is available for children who do not need full-time care. These classes support children’s growth and development and facilitate their readiness for kindergarten.

GIVE PARENTS A BREAK PROGRAM

The purpose of this program is to offer eligible parents a few hours break from the stresses of parenting. The “Give Parents a Break Program” provide child care for parents who are subject to unique stresses due to the nature of military life—deployments, remote tours of duty, and extending working hours. Families are often separated from spouses as well as from extended family members who might otherwise offer support. In the effort to help these families the CDPs have partnered with the Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) who pays for the cost of child care for parents referred by base agencies such as, the Family Support Center, Chapel, Family Advocacy Office, Hospital, First Sergeants, Commanders, and the Family Member Programs Flight. The AFAS will pay the cost of having the base Child Development Center (CDC) open once a month for families referred to the program. Depending upon the needs of the base community, the Center could open, for example, one Friday evening, or one Saturday or Sunday morning or afternoon every month. Families are not charged for the care.

OVERNIGHT CARE

Overnight care is not provided in Air Force CDPs. If overnight care is needed during exercises or deployments the program refers parents to Family Child Care providers who are licensed by the installation commanders to provide various types of care in their government quarters or off-base homes. (See Family Child Care on this Web site)

FEES

Fee ranges are issued by the Department of Defense on an annual basis. Fees are based on families’ Total Family Income (TFI). Fees are for 50 hours of care per week, including meals, snacks, and infant formula, for a maximum of 10 hours per day.

INSPECTIONS

The Military Child Care Act of 1989/96 and DODI 6060.2 require four unannounced inspections annually for military CDPs. Base personnel conduct annual Comprehensive Fire and Safety and Health inspections. A team of experts including parents from all programs completes a base level Multidisciplinary Team Inspection. In addition, trained child development specialists from Higher Headquarters conduct an annual unannounced inspection.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITES

Many CDP employees are military or civilian spouses and are able to transfer their training and benefits from one base to another when the family has a permanent change of station (PCS) due to the military members military commitment. Check with your local base CDP, Civilian Personnel Office or the U.S Office of Personnel management for job opportunities.