USAG Japan, Zama  Child and Youth Services

Camp Zama CDC and Sagamihara (SHA) CDC offer programs for children ages 6 weeks through 6 years old. Limited FCC approved homes available. Phone: 011-81-46-407-6273, DSN 315-263-6273.

Family Child Care at Camp Zama is limited. The number of FCC homes open can fluctuate from 1 to 6 depending on PCS season and need. You may find FCC providers at Camp Zama or Sagamihara Housing Area. Each FCC provider creates a comfortable, secure, learning environment to meet the developmental needs and stages of the children in care. Providers offer mixed-age groupings which create opportunities for younger and older children to learn from each other. Family Child Care Program is one child care option provided to military family members, Department of Defense civilians and Department of Defense contractors through the Army Child and Youth Services. The FCC Program is provided by military family members or civilians working as independent contractors in individual housing units located on a military installation.

FCC Homes have unique qualities making them the preferred child care choice for many families. Homes provide flexible hours, a comfortable family-like setting, and activities based on real life experiences in the home and neighborhood. In FCC siblings can stay together, younger and older children learn from each other in a small group setting and school-age children can remain in a neighborhood setting.

Most homes offer full-day, part-day and hourly care. Special services may include 24-hour and long-term care during mobilization and training exercises, evening and weekend care and care for special needs children and mildly ill children. The flexibility of FCC providers is an asset in meeting the diverse work hours of military families.

Parents can expect to receive the same quality of care in an FCC home as in the Child Development Centers or School-Age Care Center.

The capacity of the FCC Home is determined by size of the home and the ages of the children enrolled in the home. Generally the capacity in an FCC Home at any one time is six children including the providers own children who are enrolled in the program. Homes serving infant/toddlers exclusively 4 weeks to 2 years can serve a maximum of three children. Homes serving school-age children exclusively 5 to 12 Years can serve a maximum of 8 children. For additional information please contact the FCC Director at DSN: 315-263-3397.

There are two child development centers in the Camp Zama Community. Both Camp Zama CDC and Sagamihara (SHA) CDC are National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Accredited programs. Children are cared for in a safe, warm and supportive environment.

Educational activities and programs are available for children ages 6 weeks through 5years old. Programs are designed to promote a positive self image, develop fine and large muscle coordination, increase verbal communication, expand creative ideas, build self help skills and problem solving techniques, and to teach educational learning concepts through situational learning experiences and play.

Centers on Installation

Centers are conveniently located in two housing areas, Camp Zama and Sagamihara Housing Area. The Zama CDC is located in Building 691. The SHA CDC is located in Building S-107.

Programs Offered

Both CDCs offer Hourly Care, Part Day 2, 3 and 5-day Toddler/Preschool, Full Day Infant, Pre-toddler, Toddler, Pre-School, Pre-Kindergarten (Strong Beginnings), and Before/ After Kindergarten program. The Strong Beginning's Program runs concurrent with the Arnn Elementary School Calendar. Children must be 4 years by September 1st and will attend Kindergarten the following school year to be able to participate. This program ends during the summer months. Hourly care reservations can be made 30 days in advance and is offered on a Space A basis only. Patrons should call the respective CDC at DSN: 315-263-4992 (Zama CDC) / 315-262-6273 (SHACDC) to make reservations. Hours of Operation -- CDC hours are from 0530 - 1800, Monday through Friday.

Hours of Operation -- CDC hours are from 5:30 am - 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

School Age Care (SAC) supplements the school schedule with a wide variety of after school activities for youth from 1st grade through 6th grade. SAC is located at the Sagamihara Housing area, Building 121-01.

Hours of Operation -- Care is available Monday through Friday from 0530 - 0800. and 1400 - 1800. (School Days) and from 0530 - 1800. (full day service when school breaks). Summer Camp is available from 0530-1800 during the summer.

Programs Offered -- SAC offers before school, after school, hourly care, full day on school-out days and summer camp programs.

Summer Camp is sold in weekly packages only and includes meals, snacks, high adventure activities, and weekly field trips.

We offer 4-H and Boys & Girls club of America clubs in the four service areas each week. We have a new state of the art facility with a homework/computer lab, game room, performing arts room, art/science room and multipurpose room.

6th graders can attend theafter school care at no charge!

Contact the SAC Facility Director at DSN 315-267-6013/6066 for more information.