Child Care

The Altus Air Force Base CDC is a state of the art facility which includes gross motor room, infant, one year old, two year old and toddler playgrounds with poured in place fall zones. The Altus Air Force Base CDC offers hourly care, full-time day care and an Enrichment Program. Altus CDC is available for children from 6 weeks to 4 years of age.

The Family Child Care (FCC) Program offers home-based child care in licensed homes for children ages six weeks through twelve years. These self-employed providers operate their home independently in compliance with strict Air Force policies, including frequent inspections and close monitoring by the Family Child Care staff. Extensive background screening and orientation training must be completed prior to licensing. Full time, part time, hourly, weekends, extended hours and school age care is available. For more information, call the Family Child Care Office at 580-481-6931 or DSN 312-866-6931, Monday - Friday. The office is located at 501 N. Altus Road. 

Eligibility

Altus AFB Child Development Center is available for children from six weeks up to 5 years of age. The Child Development Center (CDC) is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and certified by the Department of Defense. The (CDC) has numerous activities to both entertain and assist your child's learning in a safe, supervised environment.  Active duty military (single parent, dual military) and DoD civilians assigned to Altus AFB whose spouse works full-time or go to school full-time have first priority.  However, if the above status changes and the spouse is not working or attending school on a full-time basis the patron has two months to acquire full-time status in either employment or school.  If this is not accomplished in two months, and there is another patron on the waiting list in a higher priority category, you will have to give up your child's slot at the center.   

Whether your child is six weeks old or five years of age, the (CDC) provides a quality care program to assist you.  The child development program was established to meet the needs of working parents by providing a safe, developmental program that provides a variety of activities including independent and organized group play.

The Altus AFB Child Development Center’s activities include reading, manipulative play, music, painting, water play, and sand tables, art, dramatic play, science, etc. Weather permitting; children play outside every day. The center also provides breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks.    

Types of Care

Full-time care and drop-in hourly care are available at the Altus AFB Child Development Center.  Reservations are required for hourly drop-in care, which is offered on a space available basis. The center also has an active sublet program for parents seeking temporary care.   

Special Needs

AFI 34-248, Child Development Programs, defines children with "special needs" as those with physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one of more major life activities; has a record of such impairment, or is regarded as having such impairment.   

Child Development programs are authorized to accept these children under certain conditions. An Individual Education Plan (IEP) of any child diagnosed with a special need is requested. Determination of special need must be made by the Child and Youth Program's Medical Advisor, Exceptional Family Member Program - Family Support, and Exceptional Family Member Program - Medical Group (ADAF or Reservists/Guardsman on orders only), and Center Management. A child with special health problems or handicaps will be admitted with the written concurrence of the Child and Youth Program's Medical Advisor. An inclusion plan developed jointly by medical personnel, special education professionals, child development staff, and parents must be on file and followed for each child designated as having special needs. Staff working with child will receive specialized and targeted training unique to the child's needs.  

Enrollment

To ensure your child's enrollment at the center, all forms must be completed and your child's immunizations must be up-to-date.  Documents necessary to complete your child's registration:

• Enrollment/Emergency Form (AF Form 1181)
• Completed, up-to-date Immunization Record
• Signed Contract Package
• AF Form 2652 
• Asthma or Epi Pen Action Plan - if child prescribed Epi Pen or Asthma Medications 

Fees

Rates are based on total family income.  If the child is not living with the parent who is the sponsor, the total income of the household in which the child is living, exclusive of child support, is used to determine total family income. Drop-in care is $5 per hour, per child, and a minimum of two hours will be charged each visit. After the first two hours, the rates are broken down into quarter-hour increments.

Waiting List

Altus AFB (CDC) does have a waiting list. A DD Form 2606 is filled out to place your child on the list.  If you are called by the Center staff when there is space available for your child, you have 48 hours to respond. If you haven't responded within 48 hours or refuse services, you will be removed from the waiting list. If you wish to remain on the waiting list, you will need to fill out another DD Form 2606, and you will be placed at the bottom of the waiting list.

Priority

The (CDC) uses the waiting list and eligibility criteria to determine placement.  Special circumstances would be determined on a case by case basis.

Hours of Operation

The (CDC) is open from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday - Friday for classrooms six weeks through five years. Our programs are closed on all Federal holidays, and the Friday after Thanksgiving. The center is open for exercises as directed by the Wing Commander.  The (CDC) is in Bldg 53, 501 N. Altus Road.  For more information please call:  580- 481-7502, DSN 312-866-7502, or 580-481-6903, DSN 312-866-6903.

The Youth Center assists active-duty personnel and DoD civilians by offering a safe learning environment for youths ages 6 to 18. Located in Building 1866, near Rivers Elementary.  For additional information, call 580-481-7903, DSN 312-866-7903.

Continuing programs include homework assistance, computer resource, job referral, community service projects, youth transition programs, social programs, sports programs, instructional classes, before-and-after school programs, summer and holiday camp programs. 

The Child Development Center, in conjunction with the Military and Family Readiness Center, offers the "Give Parents a Break,” Program. This program provides limited free childcare for ages 6 weeks - 5 years for military families in the following categories: Military member deployed, TDY or remote; members with special needs children; family emergencies and other hardship circumstances.

This program is offered the third Saturday of each month. Reservations are required. Contact your unit's First Sergeant, the Military and Family Readiness Center or the Chaplains office to determine eligibility.