NEW BEGINNINGS CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER EXPANDING HORIZONS CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER

NEW BEGINNINGS

CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Program Description:  

The New Beginnings Child Development Center (CDC) offers Full-Day, Part-Day Preschool, Army Strong Beginnings Pre-Kindergarten, and Hourly Care for the children of Fort Huachuca Soldiers and civilians.  The Center’s mission is to reduce the conflict between parental responsibilities and work requirements by providing enriching experiences; a safe environment; and warm, loving care and education for young children.

 We believe that communication with parents is a vital part of our success.  Please feel free to discuss any ideas or suggestions you may have with any member of our staff. You will also be informed of information concerning your child’s program through newsletters, email or other means of communication.  We strongly encourage parents to visit the classroom prior to the child’s first day in the program.

 The CDC is nationally accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and DoD Certified.  

 The CDC provides wholesome, healthy meals for children.  Our menus are based on United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Guidelines and approved by a registered dietitian.

 Since a successful child care program requires a partnership between the Center staff and the parents, the CDC managers have an open-door policy and encourage parents to be involved in the Center’s Programs.  Parents are also strongly encouraged to visit the Center and the classrooms with their children prior to their children’s start date.  Numerous parent involvement opportunities are offered throughout the year. 

Location: Smith Street , Building # 48101

Telephone: (520) 533-5209

 Hours/Days of Operation: 0530-1730; Monday through Friday (closed on all Federal Holidays)

 Ages Served: 6 weeks through Kindergarten

Full-Day Program:

Days of Operation:  Monday through Friday (closed on all Federal Holidays)

Hours of Operation: 0530 to 1730

Ages Served:
Infant            (6 weeks - 12 months)
Pre-Toddler (13 – 24 months)
Toddler         (24 – 36 months)
Preschool      (3 - 5 years)  
Army Strong Pre-K Program (Eligible for next school year age, 4-5 yrs.)
Kindergarten Before-/After-School (5 – 6 years)

Description:  The Full-Day Program provides care for children (from 6 weeks of age through Kindergarten) of working parents requiring childcare from 5 to 12 hours per day on a regular basis.  Patrons who use the Full-Day Program are dual working parents, single working parents, or working parents with spouses who are full-time students. 

Part-Day Preschool  (PDPS):    
                                                               

(Follows Fort Huachuca Accommodation Schools Calendar)

Two Sessions:
Monday/Wednesday/Friday Tuesday/Thursday

no PDPS on Fort Huachuca school-out days)                                                                                                      

 Hours: 0900-1200

 Ages Served: Preschool (3-5 years)

 Maximum Enrollment: 30 children per session

 Description:  The Part-Day Preschool (PDPS) Program allows children to play, while actively using imagination to increase knowledge.  The PDPS Program operates from August to May. 

This Program uses Creative Curriculum and the Six Pillars of Character from Character Counts! The goal is to prepare children for Kindergarten.

 Creative Curriculum is designed for use in early childhood programs and rests on a firm foundation of research that addresses academic content.    

 The Six Pillars of Character are ethical values used to guide children’s choices: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship.  We introduce and implement these Pillars through developmentally appropriate programming.                                                                                            

Hourly Care:  

Days/Hours of Operation:  Monday through Friday; 0800 to 1630

Ages Served: Infant    (6 weeks – 12 months)

Pre-Toddler               (13 - 24 months)

Toddler                      (25 - 36 months)

Preschool                   (3-5 years) 

Reservations can be made in advance.  Minimum number of hours is 2 per day; maximum number of hours is 25 per week.

 Description: The Hourly Care Program is designed as a short-term child care option for parents with short-term or irregular needs (e.g., volunteering, in-processing, respite care, and doctor’s appointments).  Parents can use Hourly Care as soon as their children are registered with CYS Services.  The CDC will accept reservations up to one month in advance.  However, some drop- in spaces may be available.

Kindergarten Before- and After-School Care:

 Days/Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday; 0530 to 0800 and 1430 to 1730.  (Full-Day Care for Kindergarteners provided from 0530 to 1730 on school-out days and during the summer).  A bus from Johnston Elementary School (one of the Fort Huachuca Accommodation Schools) picks up and drops off Kindergarteners at the CDC.  

Ages Served: 5-6 years

 Description:  The framework for program activities for children enrolled in this Program is based on the following Army’s four Core Service Areas:  Sports and Fitness; Life Skills and Citizenship; Leisure and Recreation; and Mentoring, Intervention, and Support Services.  In addition, the Program offers 4-H Clubs, which incorporate the Six Pillars of Character.

Army Strong Beginnings Pre-Kindergarten Program:

 Days of Operation:  Monday through Friday (closed on all Federal Holidays)

 Hours of Operation: 0530 to 1730

 Ages Served: 4-5 year olds (must be eligible for Kindergarten and meet the Fort Huachuca school year cut-off date).

 Description:  The Army’s Strong Beginnings Pre-Kindergarten Program is designed to prepare children to be successful when they start school.  The curriculum focuses on the social, emotional, and physical development of children.  It also equips them with basic academic and “Kindergarten classroom etiquette” skills to enhance school readiness.

For more information, contact Ms. Christine Thorps, CDC Director, at 520-533-5209 or by email at Christine.Thorps@us.army.mil.

EXPANDING HORIZONS

CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Program Description:

The Expanding Horizons Child Development Center (CDC) offers Part-Day Toddler, Part-Day Stepping Stones to Strong Beginnings Pre-Kindergarten, and Part-Day Army Strong Beginnings Pre-Kindergarten Programs for the children of Fort Huachuca Soldiers and civilians.  The Center’s mission is to provide enriching experiences; a safe environment; and warm, loving care and education for young children.

We believe that communication with parents is a vital part of our success.  Please feel free to discuss any ideas or suggestions you may have with any member of our staff.  You will also receive information from the Center via newsletters, email, or other means of communication.  We strongly encourage parents to visit the classroom prior to the child’s first day in the Program.

The Expanding Horizons CDC provides wholesome, healthy snacks for children.  Our snack menus are based on United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Guidelines and approved by a registered dietitian.

Since a successful child care Program requires a partnership between the Center staff and the parents, the manager has an open-door policy and encourages parents to be involved in the Center’s Programs.  Parents are also strongly encouraged to visit the Center and the classrooms with their children prior to their children’s start date.  Numerous parent involvement opportunities are offered throughout the year. 

Location: Cushing Street, Building # 49055.

Telephone: (520) 538-6319

Hours/Days of Operation: 0830-1600; Monday through Friday (closed on all Federal Holidays)

Ages Served: 24 months through 5 years  

Part-Day (PD) Toddler Program:

Three Options:                                                                                    

            -Monday/Wednesday/Friday                                                                                      

            -Tuesday/Thursday    

            -Monday through Friday                                                                                                      

Hours:  0830 to 1130 (morning session) and 1300 to 1600 (afternoon session)  

Ages Served: 24 to 36 months

Maximum Enrollment:  14 children per session

Description:  The Part-Day (PD) Toddler Program allows children to play, while actively using imagination to increase knowledge.  This Program operates year round and uses Creative Curriculum, which is designed for use in early childhood programs and rests on a firm foundation of research that addresses academic content.  The Creative Curriculum Developmental Continuum for Infants, Toddlers, and Two’s is used to set individualized developmental goals to ensure that developmental milestones are met.

Part-Day (PD) Stepping Stones to Strong Beginnings Pre-Kindergarten Program:                                                                                                 

Days/Hours: Monday through Friday, 1300 to 1600 (afternoon session)

Ages Served: 4 year olds (those not eligible to start Kindergarten in the Fall).

Maximum Enrollment:  20 children per session

Description:  The Part-Day (PD) Stepping Stones to Strong Beginnings Pre-Kindergarten Program is designed to prepare children for the Army Strong Beginnings Pre-Kindergarten Program.  The Program utilizes Creative Curriculum, which focuses on each child’s development.  The caring and trained staff members provide challenging, developmentally appropriate activities each day.

Part-Day Army Strong Beginnings Pre-Kindergarten Program:

Days/Hours: Monday through Friday, 0830 to 1130 (morning session)

Ages Served: 4-5 year olds (must be eligible for Kindergarten and meet the Fort Huachuca school year cut-off date).

Maximum Enrollment:  20 children per session

Description:  The Army’s Strong Beginnings Pre-Kindergarten Program is designed to prepare children to be successful when they start school.  The curriculum focuses on the social, emotional, and physical development of children.  It also equips them with basic academic and “Kindergarten classroom etiquette” skills to enhance school readiness.  This Program also incorporates Character Counts!, which includes the Six Pillars of Character.  These Pillars are ethical values used to guide children’s choices: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship.  These Pillars are introduced and implemented through developmentally appropriate programming.  The Creative Curriculum Preschool Developmental Continuum is used to set individualized developmental goals to ensure that developmental milestones are met.

Summer Camp Program

A weekly Summer Camp Program will be provided for children eligible for the Programs described above.  The Part-Day Toddler Summer Camp will be offered from Monday through Friday.  Parents can select from a morning (0830-1100) or afternoon (1300-1600) session.  The Part-Day (PD) Stepping Stones to Strong Beginnings Pre-Kindergarten Summer Camp will be offered from Monday through Friday from 1300 to 1600.  Finally, the Army’s Strong Beginnings Pre-Kindergarten Summer Camp Program will be offered from Monday through Friday from 0830 to 1130. 

Please contact the Center or Parent Central for a list of weekly Summer Camp themes.

Need more information?  

Please contact CDC Assistant Director, at 520-538-6319