Exacting training and testing standards mean our CDC staff is professionally responsible and held to a higher level of accountability than other programs. Frequent inspections (DoD Unannounced, Multidisciplinary inspections, ACC Staff Assistance Visits, NAEYC accreditation) assure Barksdale's CDC standards meet rigid AF criteria. Recent national studies indicate DoD CDC and PDE programs serve as benchmarks for the nation. Local centers and programs are still playing catch-up to DoD. Air Force Child Development programs are considered the DoD leaders and Barksdale's CDC routinely scores among the highest in the Air Force. Parental satisfaction is clearly evident from ICE responses, customer comments to local surveys and discussions with parents and program management. Most of our teachers have been with the program for ten or more years while some off base centers with lower pay scales may have very high staff turnover. The Air Force believes it is important for children to be taught by the same person from day-to-day so that person gets to know the children and establishes an emotional bond with them. Snacks served in Barksdale's CDC program are USDA certified and must meet dietary standards approved by ACC. Other programs may not offer snacks or meals unless supplied by parents.

After School Care
The Child Development Center offers after school care from 2:30-6pm for children attending preschool in the local public schools. Transportation is available for children attending Waller, Kerr, Sun City and Bellaire elementary schools and the CDC staff will walk them to the CDC. All fees are based on total family income and prorated for the shortened day. Before school care is NOT available. Call 456-4139 for additional Information.

Below are the fee ranges set by the Department of Defense. Call 318.456.4139 for more information.

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Child Care Fees FAQ (53.5KB - Microsoft Word Format)

Become a Family Child Care Provider
Start your own business by becoming a Family Child Care provider. You can extra income while you stay at home with your children. Training, equipment and supplies are absolutely free! Spouses (living off-base) and DoD spouses are eligible to take advantage of this opportunity. Licensing is mandatory for base residents caring for children for more than 10 hours. Call 318.456.8912 for more information.

Free Child Care
Persons needing additional child care during late duty hours and recalls should call the Extended Duty Care (EDC) program. This care is FREE. Transportation is available to or from the CDC or School Age Program. 

The EDC Returning Home Care Program can also provide 16 hours free child care per child to persons returning from 30+ day deployment in support of Global War on Terrorism. The program must be used within 30 days of return from deployment.

As a joint project between Family Child Care and the Air Force Aid Society, persons with a permanent change of station (PCS) to or from Barksdale are eligible for 20 hours free child care per child.

Volunteers at base agencies may also receive free child care. This is a joint venture between Family Child Care and the Family Support Center. Call 456-8912 for details about any of these programs.

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Useful Link(s):

NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) - The nation's largest and
    most influential organization of early childhood educators and others dedicated to improving the
    quality of programs for children from birth through third grade.
National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies- national network of
    more than 850 child care resource and referral centers (CCR&Rs) located in every state and
    most communities across the US. CCR&R centers help families, child care providers, and
    communities find, provide, and plan for affordable, quality child care.
S.A.F.E. (Safety Awareness and Family Education) Network - Empowers today's youth with the
    right to say NO, the right to tell and the right to live SAFE. This site contains information &
    resources on that will aid in the effort of allowing children to keep their innocence.
Zero To Three - National non-profit organization striving to promote the healthy development of our
    nation's infants and toddlers by supporting and strengthening families, communities, and those who
    work on their behalf. This site contains professional education, knowledge & leadership
    development, public awareness, policy analysis and much more.
EdPubs - Source of free education publications and is intended to help you identify and order U.S.
    Department of Education products. All publications are provided at no cost to the general public by
    the U.S. Department of Education.
Brain Connection - Provides accessible, high-quality information about how the brain works and
    how people learn. Many discoveries are being made in areas related to the human brain, including
    language, memory, behavior, aging, illness and injury.
Family Education Network - Created by parents for parents to provide homework help, parenting
    tips, and expert advice. This site includes a teacher channel, a parent channel, research utilities and
    family entertainment.
NNCC (National Network for Child Care) - Provides information to improve child care and youth
    programs for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, school-age children, youth and teens in out-of-school
    time.
Parenthood.com - Dedicated to helping families grow by providing info concerning pregnancy,
    parenting, child care resources & more.
Earlychildhood.com - Great resource for teachers & parents including activities, curriculum,
    teacher quick-source, early childhood news & more.
Poisonous Plants Database - Cornell University has an informational database for poisonous
    plants.