Fort Riley cuts ribbon on sixth Child Development Center

By Ashley Strehle, Fort Riley Public AffairsJanuary 11, 2010

Fort Riley cuts ribbon on sixth Child Development Center
Staff Sgt. Juvon Allgood, an acquisition noncommissioned officer with the 638th Co., 901st Battalion, his wife, Sherri, and daughter, Jada, 4, assist Maj. Gen. Vincent Brooks, Commanding General of the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley, Brooks' wi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RILEY, Kan. - Barely taller than the over-sized pair of scissors she was using, four-year-old Jada Allgood cut the ribbon on new 1st Infantry Division Child Development Center on Jan. 8.

Allgood is the daughter of Staff Sgt. Juvon Allgood, an acquisition noncommissioned officer with the 638th Co., 901st Battalion.

Juvon and his wife, Sherri, were pleased to be part of the opening of Fort Riley's sixth CDC because they appreciate the programs Child, Youth and School Services offers.

"My wife is also a professional, so this gives her a chance to pursue whatever dream she has, along with mine," Juvon said.

Garrison Commander Col. Kevin Brown noted the advantages of CYSS programs during the opening of the 26,000 sq. ft. facility.

"The Army's CYSS program is essential to preparing a ready Army and ready Families," he said.

The new CDC, located at Building 4012 on Custer Hill, will provide 232 additional child care spaces for children ages six weeks to five years old.

The facility cost $8.8 million and was funded as part of the military construction Army program.

The Kansas City Corps of Engineers and many Fort Riley directorates oversaw the contractor's work on the center.

Brown said the facility will allow Fort Riley newcomers to place their children in a quality childcare center without a wait.

"You'll be able to get your children with the right kind of professionals, those folks that do this as a matter of business because they care about you, they care about your children and they care about our Families," he said.

The 1st Inf. Div. CDC will employ about 65 professional staff members.

First Inf. Div. and Fort Riley Commanding General Maj. Gen. Vincent Brooks said the CDC is more than just a childcare center.

He said CDCs provide peace of mind to military Families.

"It's more than a place. It's a capability that makes a difference in the very readiness of our force," he said.

Army leaders are committed to providing quality Family programs and facilities like the new CDC, he added.

On hand to represent the Army leadership at the ribbon cutting was Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch, Army's Installation Management commander who was visiting Fort Riley. Following the ceremony, Lynch toured the facility with many community and state leaders.

The 1st Inf. Div. CDC officially opened for business on Jan. 11.

CDCs offer full-day childcare in a multi-age group setting.

Each classroom enrolls children with a minimum age span of 18 months. This is done to provide a family-style environment where children can learn from and with each other. The centers also offer part day preschool programs and hourly care.

The part day preschool programs are offered for 3 to 5 year olds, and morning and afternoon sessions are available. Morning sessions are from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and afternoon sessions are from 1 to 4 p.m. Hourly care is offered from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Reservations for child care can be made up to 30 days in advance. Same day or walk-in times are allowed on a space-availability basis.

Three more CDCs are scheduled to open on Fort Riley by the end of the fiscal year. For more information on CDCs, call 239-9935 or visit, www.rileymwr.com.

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