CDC offers quality child care

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- For single working parents or parents in a dual-income household finding adequate daycare for children can be a challenge. Andersen's Child Development Center is one avenue parents may turn to for increased care. 

The child development center offers infant, toddler, pre-toddler and pre-school programs as well as before and after school care for children in kindergarten through fifth grade or children ages 6-12. Parents can enroll their children who are six weeks old and older.
 
The CDC allows parents to drop off their children as early as 6:30 a.m. Monday through Friday and provides breakfast for children until about 7 a.m. during the school year and 8:30 a.m. during the CDC's summer program. 

As the school year quickly approaches, the CDC, in conjunction with School Age Programs, prepares to begin its before and after school care for its children. During the school year, CDC staff members escort the children to and from school. 

"After school, the kids enjoy snacks, open recreation, activities, clubs and homework," said Micki Torres, School Age Program assistant. 

The CDC creates an environment for all children that aids in growth and development in social, physical, language and cognitive skills. 

"A CDC must create an environment, both indoors and outdoors, that fosters the growth and development of the children," said Moana Omisong, CDC supervisory technician. "The CDC must also provide leadership and management by efficiently and effectively, ensuring that all staff, children, and families are included in the program." 

The CDC provides safe, friendly and enriching programs for children as parents are hard at work. Parents may drop off their children for up to 10 hours of care between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

"For care more than 10 hours, parents are to seek the extended duty care program in advance through Family Child Care and parents are not to exceed 50 hours per week," said Elania Bryant, CDC assistant director of staff. "If single or dual military member exceed the 50 hours due to mission obligations, families are charged an hourly rate equivalent for full daycare." 

The cost of the program is dependent on each household's total family income. 

For more information on the programs offered by the CDC, call 366-1602.