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CDC changes hours to accommodate work schedules

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Sonya Padilla
  • 36th Wing, Public Affairs
On Aug. 6, Andersen's child development center began opening its doors at 6 a.m. for a 45-day trial period designed to support the customer's needs. 

At a town hall meeting in March, parents who use the CDC requested that management move the center's opening from 6:30 to 6 a.m. to accommodate work schedules and morning fitness programs. 

The decision to implement the time change was finalized after a large number of parents expressed that interest by completing a survey about the CDC and School Age Program in July. The trial period will last until Oct. 5. 

While the outlook on these hours turning permanent is still too early to assess, CDC management will monitor to see how many parents take advantage of the new hours, said, Lori Propes, Chief, Family Members Program. 

More than 140 children are enrolled in the CDC and SAP ranging in ages from six weeks to 12 years of age that are cared for at the center. 

Although there are additional costs in paying seven staff members to come in 30 minutes early, "they will continue to provide quality care," said Mrs. Lori Propes. 

Senior Airman Ashley Fears, a communications security accountant from the 36th Communications Squadron, said she hopes that the time change will be permanent.
"I think it's great," she said. "Being in the same flight as my husband, we get to drop the kids off early and make it to PT on time and still get to work a full duty day without having to leave early." 

Tech. Sgt. JoAnn Toetz, a financial management analyst from the 36th Comptroller Squadron, said she's also grateful for the earlier opening.
"The hours need to be more flexible to allow for the military way of life," she said.