United States Army
Child Development Center (CDC)
[PARENT HANDBOOK]
As a new family to CDC this handbook is provided to you with some guidelines, policies, procedures and is a resource for your understanding of our organization. (This information in this book is subject to change due to updates.) /
PARENT HANDBOOK
Letter from the Child, Youth and School Services Coordinator
Dear Parents:
Welcome to Daegu, the USAR Garrison Walker Community and to Child, Youth and School Services (CYSS)! We hope that this handbook will answer most of your questions, but please call on us at any time should you need additional information. We believe that open, continuous parent – staff communication is vitally linked to the success of our programs, so you are encouraged to share your comments and ideas. We ask that you make every effort to stay involved with your child’s program. If you have any questions please contact your facility director.
Your child is entrusted in our care during his/her formative years when basic skills and feelings about self and the surrounding world are developed. Our primary goal is to provide a safe, nurturing environment that fosters positive self-esteem through purposeful play and exploration and a feeling of success. Our common bond is your child, and we look forward to this special partnership. Please keep our staff informed about family issues or concerns. Knowing when you or your spouse will be TDY, deployed or when there has been an upsetting event in your family such as death or illness can help us to be supportive to your child through challenging times. We may also be able to connect you with additional supports and resources.
We encourage you to visit our programs at any time for as long as you like. Children especially appreciate you staying for breakfast or dropping in for a snack or lunch. We enjoy their smile when you share their proud events.
We are always in need of program volunteers. Please consider sharing a special skill or some time in our programs. Please talk to the program staff and ask how you can get more involved. Another very important avenue for involvement is the quarterly Parent Advisory Council (PAC) meeting. The PAC is our forum to get your ideas and input, and to update parents on program changes/upcoming events. This is also where we plan our calendar for holiday celebrations. We would like every parent to attend PAC meetings. The PAC meeting dates will be posted in each facility, listed on the Daegu CYSS web page and in the Outlook magazine.
Thank you for coming to Child and Youth Services, we look forward to getting to know you and your child/youth! We hope you enjoy your time in Daegu and have a wonderful experience in Korea. It is a great place to live.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Brennan
Chief, Child, Youth and School Services
“Our Mission is Caring”
USAG Daegu Mission
To provide the Army with the installationcapabilities and services to support expeditionary operations in a time of persistent conflict, and to provide a quality of life for Soldier and their Families commensurate with their service. On order, support non-combat evacuation operations and provide command and control of Army fixed bases under crisis condition.
USAG Daegu Family & Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Mission
To Contribute to and improve the quality of life for the military personnel, their Families, and other authorized users of FMWR facilities by providing self-expression, skill development, social and physical fitness activities.
USAG Daegu Child, Youth and School Services Mission
To support readiness and well being of Families by reducing the conflict between mission requirements and parental responsibility.
USAG Daegu Vision
Be the Community of Choice
USAG Daegu Family & Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Vision
A motivated team of well-trained professionals with a common mission and shared values; operating in an environment of innovation and continuous improvement; using technology and proven business practices to make the best use of available resources, and consistently providing customer-valued FMWR programs, services, facilities, and a first-class quality of life for the total workforce.
USAG Daegu Child, Youth and School Services Vision
We believe that each child and youth is unique and therefore respect their differences; encouraging others to do the same. We promote positive youth and staff interaction. We recognize individual and group achievements of all our members, volunteers and staff. We provide 4-H and Boys and Girls Club of America programs within the following areas: Life Skills and Leadership; Academic Support, Mentoring, and Intervention; Arts, Recreation, and Leisure Activities; Sports, Fitness, and Health. We encourage staff, volunteers, and youth leaders to be role models for the positive behavior at all times. CYSS Services staff team closely with youth to plan, implement, and evaluate the programs. We collaborate with parents, community members, and on and off post organizations to enhance our program services. Our services are seamless, flexible, customer friendly, certified and/or accredited, and delivered by caring, trained professionals.
Child, Youth and School Services (CYSS) is an essential family program that directly supports the military lifestyle and reduces the conflict between parental responsibilities and soldier unit mission requirements.
Child, Youth and School Services (CYSS) Programs
PARENT CENTRAL SERVICES (PCS) and OUTREACH SERVICES
The Parent Central Services (PCS), The Liaison Services for Daegu American Schools, the Outreach Service to include Homeschooling, and the SKIES (School of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration, and Skills) all fall under the CLEOS program.
- PCS is responsible for the placement and registration of all children in all Child and Youth Services programs. PCS also maintains the waiting list for these programs and provides Resources and Referral Services for both military and civilian childcare services available in your area.
- PCS maintains a list of trained teenage baby-sitters. Patrons needing these services should contact the PCS.
- Short Term Alternative Childcare and Volunteer Childcare in Unit Setting. PCS provides/oversees onsite childcare in support of special functions and meetings.
Located in Building 257 Hours: 0900-1800 Monday-Fridays
Telephone: 764-5298
Camp Walker Child Development Center (CDC):
Accredited by
National Association for the Education of Young Children
Building 223
0530-1800 Monday - Friday
0615-1800 Training Holidays
Closed on Federal Holidays
( you can see USAG approved holidaysand training holidays for all CYSS programs)
Telephone: 764-4834 from a local cell 053-470-4834
Full-Day Care: Childcare services offered for children ages 6 weeks – 5 years that meet the needs of parents requiring childcare on a regularly scheduled daily basis (5 to 12 hours per day). Hours of operation for USAG Walker are Monday through Friday.
Part-Day Toddler and Pre-school Programs: A Part-Day Program is offered for toddlers and pre-school children 2-5 years. Part-Day fees are prorated for the school term and therefore monthly payments remain the same throughout the school term regardless of the number of days in attendance for the month.
Part-day Program:
Three programs are offered.
A three-day program on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and a two-day program on Tuesday and Thursday and also available is a five day program for children; Spaces in both morning and afternoon programs are available, but are limited.
Strong Beginnings Program: The Army Strong Beginnings Pre-K is a program designed to prepare children to be successful to enter school. Curriculum focuses on the social, emotional, and physical development of children; equips them with basic academics and “Kindergarten Classroom Etiquette” skills to enhance “school readiness.”
Children who will be entering Kindergarten the following fall (4 years old prior to 1 Sep) are eligible to attend Strong Beginnings Pre-K.
Strong Beginnings operates Monday through Friday from 0830-1130, with full time wrap around care for families who need care during the hours of center operations.
The Strong Beginnings Pre-K program follows the DODEA American School calendar. This means when DODEA is closed so is the Strong Beginnings Classroom. For families enrolled in Full time wrap around care, care for school out days (teacher work days, winter break, spring break etc.) will be provided for your children however they may be combined with another classroom depending on ratios. For Part Day Pre-K children care for school out days will be provided at the cost of hourly care.
Part Day Strong Beginnings is billed semi-monthly, and they get billed the same amount on the 1st and 15th of every month even though there are breaks in some months and none in others. The Fees were set up this way so as not prorate every month differently, it is taken in consideration all the breaks and holidays and distributed evenly so the households pay the same every. Families are not paying for the time when school because the Army took that into consideration when they came up with the fees. This is why you are charged the same amount when your child is not here during breaks (e.i. Winter break, Spring Break, and days out). If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask. Thank you
School date closures are available on the DODEA school website:
Hourly Care Program: Childcare services offered for children ages 6 weeks – 12 years that meet the needs of parents requiring childcare on a drop in basis (1 to 20 hours per week in the CDC and 8 hours a week in the SAC program). Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 0800 – 1700. Reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance or same day. Fees for hourly care are $4.00 an hour and must be paid at the end of the day.
Before school (CDC Walker), After Kindergarten at CDC
Before and after school care for children in grades K-6 meets the needs of parents requiring childcare on a regularly scheduled daily basis (2 – 12 hours per day).
Building 223 Camp Walker CDC Hours of operation for kindergarten are:
0530 – 0800, Monday through Friday
0615-0800 Training Holidays
Closed on Federal Holidays
After School Program (SAS Walker) First through Sixth Grade
Building 257 Hours of operation
1430 – 1800, Monday through Friday (school out days)
0615-1800 Training Holidays
Closed on Federal Holidays
Telephone: 764-5072 or 764-5297
Youth Fitness and Sports
The Youth Sports and Fitness program offers a variety of sports activities for youth ages 3-18.
Youth Fitness and Sports Programs are provided by staff or by contracted instructors. They include variety of individual and team sports consisting of swimming, basketball, baseball/T-ball, and soccer. The Sports and Fitness program also offers various skill building clinics as well as camps during the summer break. The clinics and camps consist of basketball, soccer, flag football, volleyball, and baseball. The Sports and Fitness program has helped implement “Start Smart” and “Healthy Habits” in the CDC, SAC, and MS/T Programs. These programs focus on skill building as well as nutrition and are monitored by the S&F Director. All participants must be registered with the Parent Central Services prior to signing up for a Youth Fitness or Sports Program. Telephone: 764-4859 or 764-5722Located in Building 252
FAMILY CHILD CARE
FCC Directors Office is located in Building 223
Telephone: 764-4835
Family Child Care (FCC) program is a professionally managed network of individuals providing childcare in their government quarters. FCC was established to support the specific childcare needs of military families. All FCC providers receive in excess of 40 hours of initial instruction (on such topics as CPR, food sanitation and early child development) prior to being provisionally certified. In addition, providers receive on-going training, and FCC certified homes are monitored regularly by Preventive Medicine, the Fire Department, Safety Office and CYS staff. All providers and their families submit to extensive background clearances with favorable results required prior to certification and annually thereafter. The potential provider and their family members are screened through an interview in their home. After required training and home inspections, the Post Commander considers the provider’s home for certification. The provisional certificate is valid for up to 12 months and additional training is required to achieve full certification.
The Family Child Care (FCC) offices are located in building 223 CDC. The program is divided into three regions, Walker/George/Carroll. A Director and a Training and Curriculum Specialists the program provides oversight and inspections of all certified day care homes on post. Home visits are conducted at least monthly. Observations by the Training and Curriculum Specialists are in addition to the home visits conducted by the FCC Director.
It is the mutual responsibility of the parents and the FCC provider to uphold the provisions of the contract for care. The FCC providers are independent contractors with varying services and requirements. Parental contract provisions typically include:
- Providing disposable diapers and changes of clothing
- Keeping the provider informed of any changes in telephone numbers, working hours,
emergency notifications and release information.
- Arriving at the agreed time to pick children up at the end of the day.
- Paying the provider the full amount agreed upon in the contract on the day it is due.
- Specific information on sick days, vacation periods, fees, holidays and periods of provider home closure.
- Substitute or back-up care responsibilities and information.
- The Provider
FCC providers are professionally trained to provide quality developmental childcare to children 4 weeks to twelve years of age. The benefits of becoming a FCC provider include:
- Free training in a marketable occupation. Credit transfers to Army installations world-wide.
- Free use of the FCC toy lending library.
- Free referrals by PCS to families needing childcare.
- Free workshops on such subjects as child growth and development, storytelling, discipline techniques.
- A support system including the FCC staff, other providers and a wide range of professionals such as fire, medical and social services personnel.
2. The Parent
FCC offers parents the opportunity to place their child in a home environment under the care of a trained professional provider. Parents can be assured that the provider and provider’s home have met strict standards before being certified and will continue to be monitored on a regular basis.
In addition, FCC offers parents:
- The assurance that all providers’ backgrounds have been cleared.
- Flexible hours and the ability to meet special needs.
- Individualized care for your child, as each FCC home can accept only a limited number of children.
- A provider willing to work with you to ensure your child develops his/her fullest potential.
3.The Child
Children placed in FCC homes reap the rewards of an enriching, developmental environment. They receive nutritious meals, participate in educational activities and play in a clean, safe, and happy home.
It is important that a parent prepare a written statement about any conditions in the FCC home that are causes for concern. Contact the FCC Director at 764-4835.
Remember. If you are providing childcare on a regular basis in government housing. YOU MUST BE CERTIFIED. If not, you are in violation of AR 608-10 and can be removed from family quarters. We are always interested in adding FCC providers to our team. We especially need providers for extended hours care. Contact the FCC office 764-4835 for further information.
ALL CYSS Programs and Facilities have an OPEN DOOR POLICY. Parents are welcome at any time.
CYSS is operated under the standards for the Army’s CYSS program and are directed by Army Regulation 608-10, “Child Development Services”, February 1990.
The CYS Program reflects the philosophy of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Boys and Girls Club of America (BGCA) and National 4-H Clubs.
The Army CYSS Program recognizes that; for all they can provide for children, the family is still the single most important influence in a child’s life. No caregiver, provider, or program leader can replace the parent. Children need parents who will take interest in their endeavors, will encourage their efforts, will provide guidance, and will celebrate their accomplishments.
General Policies
Child Eligibility Criteria
- Children of sponsors eligible to use Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) activities
(AR 215-1) may use services provided by CYSS delivery systems.
- Expectant parents or those that are PCS’ing to Daegu may place their child on the waiting list any time prior to arrival.
4. Preference for Care is given to a patron who is in the CYSS system but prefers another facility. As stated before is based on sign up date.
Registration packets can be found online at the CYSS website:
DA Form 5223 R, Health Assessment. This form requires a signature from a medical facility representative within the past calendar year or within 30 days of enrollment. Current immunizations are required at the time of enrollment. PPD is required at 12 months and yearly after that.
Family Care Plan is due 30 days from the registration date. Failure to obtain Family Care Plan could result in termination of services.
Family Care Plans consist of the following forms:
a. Letter of Instruction.
b. DA Form 5305-R, Family Care Plan.
c. DA Form 5304-R, Family Care Plan Counseling Checklist.