The Minot Child Development Center (CDC) is an Accredited Program
that provides care for children between the ages of 6 weeks and 6
years old. The majority of the care offered is full time however
there are several other programs available for parents. The
Kindergarten program offers care before and after school and serves both
elementary schools on base. The Part-Day Enrichment (PDE) program is
offered to children 3 to 5 years old who have successfully mastered
toilet learning before admission. This program is offered in 2 1/2
hour blocks of time 2, 3 and 4 times per week. Transportation for
children who live on base for PDE is available for an extra fee.
Hourly care is offered on a space available basis up to two weeks in advance and
the CDC also participates in the " Give Parents a Break" program. The CDC has
implemented Creative Curriculum, a child centered curriculum system that focuses
on the classroom and the home environment supporting the development of the
child. The CDC caregiving staff are warm, caring, nurturing and well
trained in the DOD Caregiver module program.
Family Child
Care provides valuable in-home child care services to support the families of
Minot AFB. The FCC program offers quality care for children ranging
from birth to 12 years of age by licensed, professional child care
providers. Along with full-time, part-time, weekly, and hourly child
care, FCC Providers offer care for weekends, evenings, shift work, newborn
infants, TDY, PCS, special needs, and before and after school. We have two new
programs available. Extended Duty Care and Missile Care that are free to the
parents.
To operate an FCC home, applicants must meet numerous
requirements. In addition to thorough background screenings performed
by Security Police, Housing, OSI, Medical/Mental Health, and Family Advocacy,
applicants are required to obtain liability insurance and must pass home
inspections which include Health, Fire, and Safety
components. Applicants must also complete a week long orientation
training, part of which includes instruction of AF guidelines and certification
in First Aid and CPR. This is the beginning of an on-going training
program which FCC providers are required to participate in.
The
FCC Panel reviews all application packets. Those
applicants who have successfully completed all requirements are recommended for
licensing and are then forwarded on for final approval by
the 5th Mission Support Group Commander.
To ensure
that high standards and quality are maintained in the FCC homes, each home
undergoes inspections conducted on a regular
basis. Inspections are both announced and unannounced and include
monthly home inspections by the FCC Coordinator and recurring inspections by
USDA Food Program, Fire, Safety, and Public Health representatives.
The
FCC program also offers a lending program to all licensed
Providers. This program provides a variety of equipment, supplies,
materials, indoor/outdoor toys, and games for use in FCC homes. This program
benefits both the provider and the children in their care by providing access to
items that may not otherwise be affordable.
Licensed FCC Providers are
welcome to participate in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Food program which reimburses them for serving nutritious meals. For
more information about the USDA Food Program, call 723-2604.
The FCC
Program publishes and continuously updates an FCC Provider List for those
parents seeking child care in an FCC home. This list can be obtained
at several locations throughout the base, to include Housing, Family Support,
CPO, HRO, Lodging, CDC, and FCC.