ANSBACH, Germany (Dec. 12, 2014) -- The Storck Child Development and School Age Center opened more than a year ago, but the commitment of their caregivers in providing high-quality child care and education has not diminished.
Like its slightly newer counterpart at Katterbach, the Storck CDC/SAC complex has its share of fans -- parents and children alike.
One of those fans is Jasmine Rivera, Army spouse and mother of two boys, ages 2 and 5. Rivera, who is also a child and youth program assistant at the Storck facility, said she is quick to recommend Child, Youth and School Services child care to friends and just as quick to correct those who suggest the CDC is anything less than a place that teaches and develops children.
"Before bringing my kids here, you would hear spouses say, 'It's just a daycare. It's not actually a school.' But after my kids have been here for a while, especially my youngest because he's been here longer, I know it's actually a school," said Rivera. "My son's learned a lot coming to this program, and I wouldn't take him out for anything.
"It's not a place where your child just comes to play or just sits down while someone watches your kid," she added. "I did my research when I first got here, trying to find child care for my child, both off post and on post -- and the CDC is where I want to keep my kid."
Before she brought her younger son into the program, she was concerned about him because he was not talking much. Since his enrollment, however, things have turned around. This is an occurrence she attributes to the care and curriculum the caregivers provide.
"Beforehand, my son actually saw a behavioral health doctor who suggested that he come here to build up his social skills -- and it's really, really helped him," Rivera said. "He's learned his ABCs and his numbers, and he's only 2 years old. He's learned a lot.
"Both of them have built up their social skills," she added. "Their social skills have skyrocketed. They're both going through their first deployment with their dad being gone, and this is an area for them to be calm and be happy and to get their mind off the negative stuff at home, with dad not being there."
Rivera said three big qualities of the CDC have fallen into place for her: the curriculum, the learning environment and the staff.
"Everybody should just give CDC a chance because it's a life-changing experience for children," Rivera said.
Another mom who reports positive experiences with the CDC is Glorimar Gonzalez-Alamo, who first enrolled her son in hourly care in early 2012 when he was only 6 weeks old. Now almost 3 years old, he continues to surprise her with his educational and developmental strides.
"He has learned so many skills that I was trying to encourage at home, but definitely in an environment with other kids that he can learn from, it's remarkable," she said.
One day, for example, she realized her son mysteriously stopped making messes while drinking juice. She later discovered this was the result of the CDC's family dining classes.
"He's happy to be in the classroom, and he's learned so much," Gonzalez-Alamo said. "Now he's part of a regular program. Every time they show me his development, it's amazing."
And like Rivera, Gonzalez-Alamo's experience is better than she expected.
"You collect all this information around the community -- good and bad," she said. "I had an idea, but it's not the same as actually being part of the family. I've had nothing but great experiences here.
"Services here are amazing," she continued. "All of the teachers put in a lot of effort. They're all well-trained. I always see them studying and they're always preparing and working hard to provide the best experiences -- indoor and outdoor -- for the children. And I can see that in my child."
Gonzalez-Alamo said parents worry about many things concerning their children, especially child care. That worry can be compounded when they first arrive to a new duty station. She said she often tells friends to come by and take a tour of the facilities, as CYS Services encourages interested parents to see in person what they have to offer.
"I've talked to a lot of parents about it, and you see families who were afraid before to bring their children to the facility, and now they're part of regular programs," she said. "They start little by little. That's my recommendation. Start hourly care, then part time and, if it's needed, full time.
"As long as I'm in this community," Gonzalez-Alamo added, "I see myself using CYS Services because I'm very satisfied."
Brooke Robinson, military spouse and mother of three, also often recommends the CYS Services child care to friends not only for the benefit of the children, but parents too.
"I'm always telling my friends, 'You should drop your kids off just for a couple of hours, even. That way you can go off with your husband or friends for lunch,'" Robinson said.
"I still need some time for myself," said Robinson, who has a 5-year-old girl, a 3-year-old boy and a 1-year-old boy. "It's very helpful to drop off the kids, especially with my husband being deployed. I drop off the kids and spend the afternoon cleaning without kids. It's much easier."
Although the CDC makes Robinson's life just a little easier, she is careful to point out that that's not the main reason she brings her children to the Storck facilities.
"It's excellent care," she said. "The kids love coming to the CDC. They look forward to it. They're always excited. They love to come to school -- that's what they call the CDC. They always leave happy and smiling."
Because of glowing reviews from parents like Robinson, Gonzalez-Alamo and Rivera, CYS Services officials regularly engage in community outreach, working to educate community members -- especially new parents -- about everything they offer.
"We are such a small community that we're able to make this a family program," said Veronica Bischoff, the Storck CDC/SAC director, who's been there since its opening in September 2013. "We're here to offer care not only to your children and infants, but we also do School-Age Center and Youth Center services, and we do parent education classes. So, we're here to help the whole family.
"This is a wonderful place where children will learn and develop," Bischoff added. "We are here to partner with the parents in helping their children grow and learn and have fun doing it."
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