Child Care

Child Care

Fort Drum Child & Youth Services Child Development Centers are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. School Age Services is accredited by the National After School Association. Child Development Services has earned DOD certification.

Fort Drum has many programs and activities offered through CYS. These programs range from full and part day care, preschool, and hourly childcare, to before and after school programs, sports, and activities for middle school and high school students. Active-duty military, DOD Civilians, contract employees, National Guard and Reserve members are eligible to utilize CYS programs.

Registration

Children must be registered with CYS Parent Central Services before participating in any CYS program. There is no fee to register with CYS. Registration is by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please call Parent Central Services at 315-772-8675 or DSN 312-772-8675.

Through MilitaryChildCare.com, eligible families can search and request care for CDC, SAC and FCC programs for children from 6 weeks (4 weeks for FCC) through age 12. Families may remain on a preferred program’s waitlist even after being offered care or enrolling in another program.

Priority for care is given to CYS employees, single Soldiers and dual military couples. Currently, there are waiting lists for Child Care. Wait times vary for different types of care so be sure to check with Parent Central Services for current wait times. Fort Drum continues to expand their childcare options to meet the growing demand for care.

Registration Requirements:

• Completed registration packet
• Child's Current Shot Records
• Current LES's, Pay Stubs, and income records for the Family
• 2 local emergency contacts 
• Completed CYS health assessment form due within 30 days from registration (to include an up to date child's physical)
• Additional forms may be required for children with special needs

CYS Forms

Downloadable forms are available on the Fort Drum Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (FMWR) website. Please print, complete and bring the forms to your registration appointment.

CYS Fees

Child care fees fall into fourteen income categories. Which category you fall within is determined by your family income. CYS registration is free. Please contact Parent Central Services for further information.

Total Army Strong Deployment Services Care 

CYS recognizes the challenges of our Soldiers and their Families. By offering quality programs for children, youth and students, CYS supports the Total Army Strong Deployment Services by reducing the conflict between mission readiness and parental responsibility. The Total Army Strong is a commitment from the Army to enhance mission readiness by providing additional support to Families especially during deployments. Army Families who have a Soldier who is deployed, a Wounded Warrior, a Fallen Warrior, or on TCS, TDY, PCS (unaccompanied tour) qualify for special child care options under the Total Army Strong.

To utilize the Total Army Strong benefits, you must register your Family members with CYS Parent Central Services.

In addition to the documentation listed under registration above, you must bring official documentation verifying your category under the Total Army Strong. Official documentation for most categories will be in the form of Orders. Wounded Warrior Soldiers must also provide appointments/physical therapy documents related to injury for free hourly medical appointment care.

Total Army Strong child hourly care is provided on a reservation basis. Reservations may be made up to one month in advance and are taken on a first come first served basis. Please call the respective center to make or cancel a reservation. Cancellations of Hourly care reservations will be accepted 48 hours in advance of reservation without penalty. Patrons are responsible for payments of their full reservation if not cancelled 48 hours prior to the reserved time. Families may not use the services and the child’s pass will be suspended until the payment is made.

Total Army Strong hourly care is provided at:

• Family Childcare Providers
• Chapel Drive School Age Center (not currently available due to staffing issues and current need for before/after school care - check back for availability)

Family Child Care homes offer care for children ages 4 weeks to 12 years. FCC homes offer the advantage of flexibility over center-based care, including the ability to offer extended care, and long-term care during deployments or field duty. FCC homes vary widely in services offered: Multi-age homes can accommodate up to six children of various ages. Some homes care for only infants and toddlers, while others cater to preschoolers' needs. FCC homes provide a homelike atmosphere, opportunities for siblings to be in care together and more flexible hours than the centers. FCC trains, certifies, and monitors Family members who provide childcare in government quarters.

The same regulations and safety guidelines enforced in CYS Child Development Centers apply to FCC homes. All providers have regular safety, fire, and regulation compliance inspections. Once a month, an FCC staff member conducts a visit to each FCC home, ensuring a high-quality safe and developmentally appropriate atmosphere for the children. In addition to that, the FWMR Director and the Garrison Commander visit the FCC homes frequently.  Army Public Health Nurses work closely with the FCC providers to make sure that the homes are safe and healthy for all the children, just as they work with the centers. Fort Drum has an average of 6 FCC providers at any given time. For more information about the FCC program on Fort Drum call 315-772-2250 / 7173.

Through MilitaryChildCare.com, eligible families can search and request care for FCC programs for children from 4 weeks through age 12. Families may remain on a preferred program’s waitlist even after being offered care or enrolling in another program.

Fort Drum currently operates three full day Child Development Centers on post.  The type of care needed determines which facility your child will go to. All facilities are nationally accredited and are staffed with qualified trained personnel who provide a wide range of developmentally appropriate activities for children.

Programs for children 6 weeks to 5 years of age include full care in the centers, however part time and hourly care can be done by the Family Child Care providers located within military housing on the installation. Phone: 315-772-8675. Child, Youth, and School Services (CYS) website.

The School Age Center offers a supervised comprehensive program with a variety of options for youth in grades K- 5. There is one SAC center on Fort Drum. Among the program options available are Before and/or After School Care, Summer and Vacation Camps and Hourly Care. SAC integrates programs such as the Boys and Girls Club, the 4-H club and Character Counts into its daily activities. The goal for SAC is to provide safe, flexible and affordable before and after school child care options for parents with fun and enriching choices for youth. Holiday, school vacation, and school delay care is also available for those enrolled in the program. Be aware that not all school districts provide transportation to the on post site.

Chapel Drive School Age Center - Before & After school and hourly care. Hours follow local school schedules. Grades K-5. (Hourly care not currently available. Check back for availability.)

For those Families requiring child care for a child with special needs, CYS will meet with you to ensure your child's needs can be met. Additional assistance, resources and support are available through the Exceptional Family Member Program. Contact the EFMP at 315-772-5476 or DSN 312-772-5476.

Respite Care

Respite care is available to those who have a Family member with a qualifying condition enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program. For information contact the EFMP 315-772-5476 or DSN 312-772-5476