Tyndall AFB Child Development Center
Parent Handbook
Table of Contents
I. Welcome 4
II. Staff, Location & Hours of Operation 5
III. Philosophy 6
IV. Eligibility/Priority 6
V. Fees & Charges 7
VI. Programs 8
a. Monthly 8
b. Hourly Care 8
c. Give Parents A Break 8
d. Family Child Care (FCC) 9
e. Florida Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) 10
VII. Curriculum Overview 10
a. Infant Program 11
b. Pre-Toddler / Toddler Program 11
c. Three – Five Year Old Program 11
VIII. Teacher to Child Ratios 11
IX. Registration Process 11
X. Daily Procedures / Policies 13
a. Admittance / Departure 13
b. Clothing 14
c. Meals / Food Service 14
d. Rest / Nap Times 15
XI. Parent Involvement 15
a. Communication / Conference 15
b. Negotiating Difficulties & Differences Between
Families and Programs 15
c. Assessments 15
d. Emergency Plans 16
e. Accident Reports 16
f. Staffing 17
g. Special Events 17
h. Daily Participation 17
i. Family and Cultural Values 17
j. Parent Advisory Board 17
k. Field Trips 18
XII. Policies 18
a. Toys / Candy, etc. 18
b. Siblings 18
c. Withdrawal Policy 18
d. Privacy/Confidentiality Policy 18
e. Smoke Free Policy 18
f. Fire Arms Policy 19
g. Child Abuse Prevention & Reporting 19
h. Child Guidance / Discipline 19
i. Priority For Use of the Center Space 21
j. Inspections 21
k. Accreditation 21
l. Department of Defense Certification 21
m. Unmanageable Children 22
n. Health Policy 22
o. Medication Policy 24
p. Children & Employees with Special Needs 25
q. Release of Children to Impaired Parents 26
r. Emergency Care of Children 26
s. Visitors 27
Dear Parents,
Welcome to the Tyndall Child Development Center. This handbook is provided to give you an overview of the program, to introduce you to our philosophy and curriculum, and to familiarize you with the policies and procedures that govern our center. Our goal is to create a quality environment that is safe, healthy, and nurturing. In addition to continuity of care, we strive to promote the physical social, emotional and cognitive development of all children.
As you read through this handbook, you will learn about our guidelines, policies, and expectations. You will also discover the roles our staff plays in the care of your child and the support they will provide you in meeting your child’s needs and interests.
Family involvement is an integral part of our program and of the utmost importance in achieving our goals. Children are more successful when they know that you are involved in their program and feel comfortable with the surroundings. We encourage you to visit and participate with your child regularly. In addition to the informal visits, we conduct several parent programs annually and would love to hear any ideas you might have.
We look forward to working with you and your child as we discover developmental milestones together.
If you have questions not answered in this handbook, please feel free to contact me. I will be happy to assist you.
Esther Brown-Robinson
Director
Child Development Center
II. Staff, Services & Supports Agencies, Location & Hours of Operation
Staff
Ms. Esther Brown-Robinson CDC Director
Ms. Karen (Paige) Stubbs Asst. CDC Director
Ms. Ashley Smith Training & Curriculum
Ms. Deborah Barron Training & Curriculum
Ms. Rudy Wallace Admin Support
Ms. Cjamile Mitchell Admin Support\
Tyndall AF Base Services & Support Agencies
Airmen & Family Readiness Center (AFRC) 283-4202
Military Family Life Consultants (MFLC) CYB MFLC 850-896-8695
Adult MFLC 850-896-5522
Family Advocacy 283-7511
Security Forces 283-2254
Fire Department 283-2909
Base Safety Office 283-4231
Public Health Office 283-7138
Pediatric 283-7681/7652
Immunizations 283-7570
Off-Base Services & Support Agencies
Dept. of Children & Families 850-872-7600
Early Learning Coalition 850-747-5400
Florida Health Dept. 850-872-4720
FDLRS Child Find 850-872-4857
Tyndall Elementary School 860-286-6481
Child Development Center
BLDG. 1410 Mississippi Road.
Phone: 850: 283-4747
Fax: 850-283-4746
Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday
0600 – 1730
Closed
Saturday & Sunday
All Federal Holidays
Command-Designated Family Days
III. 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, experience, abilities and needs, thus allowing us to be responsible 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 program.
IV. Eligibility
Eligible patrons of DoD Child Development Programs include Active Duty personnel, DoD civilian personnel paid from both appropriated funds and
non-appropriated finds, Reservists & Air National Guard members on Active Duty or during inactive duty personnel training, and DoD contractors.
V. Fees & Charges
Hourly Rates: $4.00 per child per hour. Snacks and meals are provided at no cost and meet USDA requirements. Payment is due when the child is picked up.
Payments: Payments are made monthly or 1st & 15th of each month and are due in advance of care. In the event that any amount due is not paid on time, the CDC will charge the customer’s credit card for the amount due. A $5.00 late fee per child per day will be applied beginning with each day payment is not made after the due date for the week of care. Failure to make full payment will result in termination of privileges.
There are the New 2016-2017 School Year (SY) Fees and will be implemented on 1 Nov 2016 per DOD directive. No credit is given for sickness or suspended privileges.
Category / Annual Total Household Income / Weekly RateI / $0 – $30,771 / $59.00
II / $30,772 – $37,362 / $74.00
III / $37,363 – $48,352 / $91.00
IV / $48,353 – $60,439 / $106.00
V / $60,440 – $76,924 / $122.00
VI / $76,925 – $88,960 / $133.00
VII / $88,961 – $104,658 / $137.00
VIII / $104,659 – $130,868 / $142.00
IX / $130,869 + / $147.00
Contractor / $130,869 + / $206
Late Pickup Fee: Late pickup fee is assessed if child is not picked up by closing. Late pick up fee is $10 every 15 minutes after the center is closed. This is a cumulative fee and must be paid in full before the child returns to the center.
*The Child Development Center is not authorized to extend credit. Fees must be kept current or the child cannot be accepted for care until the bill is paid in full.
Fees may be charged on Visa or MasterCard in accordance with established limits.
VI. Programs
The center offers a variety of programs designed to meet your specific needs.
MONTHLY PROGRAM: This program provides developmentally appropriate care for children 6 weeks through 5 years of age. It is a five-day a week program. Upon initial registration and annually thereafter, a contract must be signed.
HOURLY CARE PROGRAM: Care is provided for children 6 months to 5 years. Registration must be complete to include a copy of child’s current required immunizations before children are accepted into the center.
Children are accepted on a space available basis. Fees are assessed hourly. Reservations are recommended to ensure space is available. Patrons are responsible for notifying the CDC if they do not plan to use the reservation. In the event, the CDC is not notified of a cancellation, the regular hourly fee will be charged. Individuals who make reservations and display a pattern of not using them will loose reservation privileges. Reservations will be held open for 15 minutes after scheduled time of arrival. Fees for hourly care are due upon pick-up.
GIVE PARENTS A BREAK PROGRAM: This program is funded by the Air Force Aid Society to provide free childcare to military parents with special needs/hardships who have children between 6 weeks and 10 years of age. Special needs/hardships may include having a special needs child, a spouse who is remote a recent PCS, or any unusual stressors. The program is normally
offered once a month rotating Friday and Saturday. An annual list of dates is available at the front desk. Reservation are accepted beginning the Friday prior to the week in which care is to be provided and ends the following Thursday. Reservations can be made between the hours of 0900 and 1500. Children must first be enrolled in the program and have a referral on file before reservations can be made. Referrals can be obtained from the Family Advocacy Office,
Base Chaplains, Airman & Family Readiness, First Sergeant/Commander, and the Child Development Center Director or Assistant Director.
FAMILY CHILD CARE (FCC) PROGRAM: Family Child Care (FCC) provides families with a wonderful alternative to large group childcare! FCC providers are licensed by the Air Force and provide high-quality childcare services in their own homes on base or nearby in the local community. Extensive training and direct oversight of each program assists providers in growing as professionals while offering care in a nurturing home environment.
Expanded Child Care Program (Extended Duty Care): Parents of children enrolled in any of the Family Support Services Flight programs who may need care for their children outside the normal hours of the programs such as
evenings and weekends and for duty-related reasons, may qualify to use Extended Duty Care. More information can be obtained from the Family Child Care Office.
Returning Home Care Program: This program provides free care for up to 16 hours per child within 30 days of returning from deployment. More information can be obtained from Airman and Family Readiness Flight.
PCS Care Program: Parents may be eligible for free child care provided by Family Child Care Providers upon arrival and departure from the base. Contact
Airman and Family Readiness and Family Child Care for additional information.
Volunteer Care Program: This program is funded by the Air Force Aid Society to provide free childcare to anyone wishing to volunteer in one of our Family Support Services or anywhere else on base may use a family child care provider at no cost to volunteer.
FLORIDA VOLUNTARY PRE-KINDERGARTEN (VPK): A part day learning experience for 4 year old children whose birthday falls before September 1 of the school
year. The VPK program prepares children for kindergarten by providing preschoolers with the skills needed to become good readers and successful
students. Curriculum is based on the Florida Department of Education VPK Performance Standards.
VII. Curriculum Overview
Our curriculum is a developmentally appropriate, multi-cultural, anti-biased program, which is based on the understanding that each child is unique with his/her own set of needs and agendas. We teach our children to appreciate his/her uniqueness, to develop a sense of self-pride, to work cooperatively and to respect others.
The curriculum is play centered and planned to be appropriate for the age span of the children within the group; it is implemented with attention to the different needs, interests, and developmental levels of those children. Emphasis is placed on teacher/child interaction. Daily schedules and weekly Domain
Plans are posted in each classroom of the center. Please feel free to discuss daily activities with the teachers in your child’s classroom.
Infant Program (6 weeks – 12 months): The infant program provides supervised care and developmental activities. When admitting your child to the
center, parents are asked to provide information that will aid in personalizing care for your child, such as information on meal schedule, types of food to be
fed and any health problems. Daily activities include music, language, floor play, strolls outside and around the center, and a lot of holding, rocking, and cuddling.
Pre-Toddler/Toddler Program (1 & 2 year olds): The Pre-Toddler/Toddler program is designed to meet the specific needs of this age group. They are given the opportunity to develop creative talents as well as independence. Children have the opportunity for freedom of movement such as climbing and walking in a safe, clean, open, warm, and uncluttered area.
3 – 5 Year Old Program: The 3–5 Year-Old Program consists of carefully
planned activities for preschool age children to encourage basic skill development, physical dexterity, coordination, and social growth. It is designed
to give each child the self-confidence needed to move easily into the next growth pattern of the less sheltered public school setting.
VIII. Teacher to Child Ratios
Infants (6 week – 11 months) 1 teacher for every 4 children
Pre-Toddlers (1 year old) 1 teacher for every 5 children
Toddlers (2 year olds) 1 teacher for every 7 children
Preschoolers (3 – 5 year olds) 1 teacher for every 12 children
Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (4 year olds) 1 teacher for every 10 children
IX. Registration Procedures
Children cannot be admitted to the center until registration is complete. You will need the following documents and information with you to complete registration:
- Military/Civilian ID Card – to establish eligibility
- Current & up to date Immunizations record
- Proof of Income Document(s) – it is used to determine the Total Household Income amount upon which the fee categories are based. Patrons who do not provide the necessary documentation will be charged the highest rate.
- Name and telephone number of at least one local emergency contact person listed (other than sponsor & spouse) on the AF Form 1181.
- Written notification of any special care needed. Your child’s physician must sign & stamp a Special Needs Form (the front desk has forms available should you require one).
- Parents who are full time students must provide proof of enrollment each semester for waitlist prioritization.
In order to accomplish registration you must complete the following documents: