ANSBACH, Germany - U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach reopened the Hourly Day Care center on Katterbach Kaserne during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 6.
When Garrison commander Col. Kelly J. Lawler and several child-care workers cut the big yellow ribbon at the entrance it capped the center's $600,000 renovation.
The new center features bright-new outdoor playgrounds on three sides, child-sized furniture and bathrooms, plenty of toys and games, a fun room and much more. It's located next to the commissary and across the street from Burger King.
Behind the front desk is a flat-screen monitor that shows biographies and photos of the center's staff. Security cameras monitor every room and play area to ensure the safety of the children.
Parents can drop off their kids for an hour or more at a cost of $4 per hour or $2 for one half hour, center director Carol Carter said. Parents are allowed 25 hours per week and can book time up to 30 days in advance.
Carter said the facility can accommodate 26 children at a time, ages six weeks to five-years old.
John Hartman, the garrison's Child, Youth and School Services coordinator said the Hourly Care Center's reopening is good news for the community.
It gives parents a chance to get some time for themselves, to go shopping at the commissary or go to the gym, Hartman said. During deployments it will be a great place to leave the kids to give a Mom time for herself.
April Wood Vargas and her son D'Alessandro attended the ribbon cutting and tried out some of the new toys and furniture. Wood Vargas said she liked the new facility.
"It's very nice, I like how it's open so you can see your kids," she said.
The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hartman said they can open in the evenings to provide child care when spouses are attending Family Readiness Group meetings.
Hartman said he is looking for 14-15 new child-care workers for all of the garrison's child care centers.
People interested in working in child, youth and school services can learn more at the Oct. 13 Job Fair at the Von Steuben Community Activity Center on Bismarck Kaserne. The job fair runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
You don't need to have experience; we will pay for your training, Hartman said. It's a good career; someone should consider it if they're looking for a great career.
Although experience is not necessary for prospective child-care workers, there's one important quality they should have.
"You've got to have a heart for kids and the community," Hartman said.
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