By Richard W. Essary

75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

CDC West will soon be open for child care

The base is expanding its capacity to offer child care to its employees. Officials cut a ribbon yesterday to signify the opening of a $10.3 million Child Development Center sometime this spring.

"We are at the stage where we are putting the finishing touches on the classrooms to ensure they are ready to care for children," said Toni Hansen, Chief of Airman and Family Services.

The existing CDC, which will be referred to as CDC East when the new facility opens, currently enrolls more than 250 children.

"The new facility (CDC West) will expand the capacity for about 260 more children," Hansen said. "When the doors on the new facility open, we will be enrolling about 100 children currently on the waiting list with room for additional enrollment."

"This is an excellent opportunity for Hill Air Force Base's military members, civilians and contractors to enroll their children in our Child Development Program," Hansen said.

"Historically, the waiting list for care has been months to years depending upon the age of the child and time of year," she said."With immediate availability once CDC West opens, parents can enroll in high quality, affordable care on base."

Parents are welcome to visit the CDCs during normal business hours 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to submit a waiting list application or to learn more about the Child Development Program.

"(The Child Development Program) provides a safe and nurturing environment while promoting the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of young children," said Missy Neitzel, CDC West director.

"Our teachers receive a minimum of 24 hours of training each year in child development in addition to first aid, CPR, and food handling," Neitzel said. "Many of our teachers have degrees in early childhood development or a child development associate credential."

Neitzel added that the CDCs are opened for extended hours during basewide exercises. She also said the fees for child care are based on total family income and families are afforded a discounted for multiple child enrollments.

For more information, please call 801-777-6321.