FORT POLK, La. -- Soldiers and their Families can take advantage of the modern, state-of-the art facilities found at Fort Polk's Child, Youth and School Services new Child Development Center, located at 7576 Colorado Ave., bldg 701.
The fully-furnished facility holds 120 students, 20 per classroom, and each room provides access to age-appropriate playgrounds. Other amenities in the new building include a homework room/computer lab and a gym so children aren't cooped up all day if the weather takes a turn for the worse.
Everything is shiny, clean and in tip-top shape for ongoing summer camps and upcoming school programs. "We have new parents coming into programs all the time and there are several here today for orientation. There's no fee to register. The only requirement is that children be registered with CYSS," said John Stromberg, facility director for the new CDC.
Summer programs are the focus at the moment, but as the calendar days speed by, attention shifts to back-to-school programs. Parents are urged to register their children now. "During the summer, we offer fun camps for children through first grade. These activities are still going on. In fact, parents can sign up for summer programs up to the first day of school. But it's also time to start signing up for after-school programs. When school starts, we will do all of our before-school programming here. So, all ages that need before-school care will come to this building," said Stromberg.
The new facility offers several programs:
* Before school programs -- Children are dropped off at the CDC. Buses pick them up at the center and bring them to school. Hours are 5:45-7:30 a.m.
* Part-day toddler program -- This program (ages 2-3) helps prepare toddlers for preschool. Hours are 8:15-11:15 a.m.
* Part-day preschool -- This program helps prepare children (ages 3-5) mentally and socially to enter school. Hours are 8:15-11:15 a.m.
* After school programs for LA-4, kindergarten and first grade classes -- Provides children with quality after school care. Buses pick up students after school and bring them to the center. The program then offers homework help and a computer lab. Hours are 3-6 p.m.
* Hourly care programs -- This program helps parents who need an hour here and there to take care of things like hair and doctor appointments. Parents can leave their child at the center for as little as an hour or as long as eight hours for a total of up to 25 hours per week. "We can take care of children from six weeks to 12 years old in hourly care. We even have three special openings for parents to take advantage of. They include the first and third Saturdays of each month from noon-5 p.m. and the first Friday of each month from 6:30-10:30 p.m., so parents can have a night out now and then. The only thing they have to do is make their reservations up to two weeks in advance," said Stromberg. Hours Monday through Friday are 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
* Strong Beginnings -- This program is for 5 and 6 year olds who will attend kindergarten the following fall. "The program, which is like a boot camp for kindergarten, begins in September. The primary focus is to prepare children for a full day of kindergarten," said Stromberg. The children will learn basics like reading, writing and arithmetic, but in a school setting, not a CDC setting. The difference in Strong Beginnings is that children learn the rules of going to school. "For instance, children in part-day preschool will say 'Hi, Mr. John,' when I walk by, but in a Strong Beginnings class they have to say Mr. Stromberg and they have to raise their hand," said Stromberg. Hours are 9 a.m.-noon.
Programs offered depend on the number of people who register for them, said Stromberg. For more information call 531-7041.
Social Sharing