Child Care

Barksdale AFB Child Development Center (CDC) is proud to offer an exceptional child care program in support of the Barksdale mission. There are two Child Development Centers, each accommodating over 100 children, 6 weeks to 5 years of age. The programs are nationally accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The CDCs provide a full range of quality care.

A Parent Advisory Board (PAB) consists of parents who have children currently enrolled in the center.  The PAB meets quarterly and the purpose of these meetings is to focus and discuss on-going child care programs and topics of interest to parents.  The PAB president is a parent who is elected on an annual basis.

The Barksdale AFB Child Development Centers utilizes current early childhood research and best practices in collaboration with Purdue University.  The CDC participated in the creation of the new curriculum followed by all of Military Installations.  The Program is titled, Early Learning Matters (ELM).  The ELM Curriculum is a comprehensive, research-informed program to support the optimal learning and development of children from birth to five years of age.  The curriculum promotes skills linked to school readiness and life success with the best practices available.  The practices include developmentally appropriate teaching strategies and the proven benefits of a coordinated mix of staff-guided and child-initiated learning experiences.  ELM offers practical, easy-to-use resources designed to support a range of a staff backgrounds and to support children’s learning in families. programs follow the Creative Curriculum which is proven to meet each child's developmental needs and prepare them for kindergarten.  

Staff are required vigorous amounts of training each year.  In the first year the staff must train a minimum 40 hours of training to include, child pulmonary resuscitation with blocked airway and first aid, how to recognize and report child abuse and how to prevent child abuse from occurring to supporting children, youth, and families with special needs to name a few of the training modules required by the Department of Defense (DoDI). Then every year after that the staff are required to maintain 24 hours a year to provide they remain abreast of the most current and essential training available.  In addition, the CDC are inspected a list every quarter.  They must be annual inspected by health, safety, fire, and multidisciplinary team. (Multidisciplinary team is made up of at least 14 individuals who conduct different parts of the Annual DoD inspection).  Then there is one more inspection which is the OSD unannounced Higher Headquarters AF.  The programs do not know when they will arrive and the team spends 3 to 4 days inspecting the program.  Once the inspection is completed the Mission Support Group Commander is briefed on the results.  From the day the MSG is briefed the base has 60 days to fix every single discrepancy.  Due to the high standards and expectations the AF wages are much higher than what is offered off base and with benefits.  This helps maintain consistency of teachers for the infants and children.

The pay set by DoD is set on a sliding scale. This means each family may pay different amounts for having their child in the same class.  DoD provides subsidy to make up the difference in the scale.  The fees are based on the total family income.  The fees cover 50 hours of child care a week, breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack.  For infants parents have the option to select one of the two formulas provided.  If they choose one the base serves the parents do not have to pay anything extra for formula. 

If you are interested in seeking further information you may call either CDC West 456-2735 or CDC East 456-4139.  To register for the waitlist head to MilitaryChildCare.com. 

Hours of Operation

The Child Development Centers are open Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m

Programs offered at the Youth Center include:

• Before and After School Care -- Drop off your children before school for a hot breakfast and transportation to and from Stockwell, WT Lewis, TL Rodes, Platt and Princeton. Transportation is available after school only at Sun City, Bellaire, and Curtis (subject to change). After school snacks, activities and homework assistance are provided.
• School Age Program -- The School Age Program is one of the only two before and after school programs in the state that is accredited by the Council on Accreditation. The staff is highly trained, and the program offers children/youth the opportunity to develop and enhance their self-help skills and master basic life skills through arts and crafts, dramatic play, high-yield learning activities, homework assistance and field trips. Children/youth ages 5 to 12 are eligible.
• All Children must be current on all shots, including the Flu Shot from the most current Flu Season.

All fees are based on total family income and prorated for the shortened day

Call 318-456-4139 for additional Information.

Deployment/Remote Assignment Child Care Support allows families 16 hours of free childcare per child for pre-deployment, post deployment, and each month during a deployment or remote tour.

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, within 60 days of arrival/departure date.

Volunteers at base agencies may also receive free child care. This is a joint venture between Family Child Care and the Military and Family Readiness Center.

Please contact the Family Child Care Coordinator at 318-456-9688, or M&FRC at 318-456-8400 for more details.