Child Care

Family Child Care (FCC) program offers small group care in a family environment.  Family Child Care homes provide programming /activities for eligible Military and Civilian children/youth, ages 4 weeks - 12th grade. The FCC program has unique qualities that many parents prefer. One of the most commented on by parents is that FCC homes provide a comfortable home environment where all children from the same family can stay together. Younger and older children learn from each other, and this small group childcare option is especially appealing to parents of infants and toddlers.

The quality of care found in FCC homes is the same as you would find in our childcare center. Providers receive initial and ongoing training that includes:

• Child guidance techniques,

• Working in a multi-age setting,

• Fire prevention and evacuation procedures,

• Safety procedures,

• Health procedures

•  Business practices,

• Child abuse identification and reporting,

• First Aid and CPR

Training and education opportunities can lead to a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and/or Accreditation by the National Association of Family Child Care (NAFCC). All FCC Providers and their family members, ages 12 years and older, undergo annual background checks. All homes are inspected by installation health, fire, and safety personnel. Certified FCC homes are visited by Child and Youth Services (CYS) personnel, along with unannounced inspections from local installation fire, safety, and health officials. Inspections are also conducted by higher headquarters.

FCC Providers offer services that may include evening, weekend, or 24-hour care during mobilization and training exercises or temporary duty (TDY) assignments. Care for special needs children, in addition to emergency and respite care requested through Social Work and Army Community Service (ACS); care for special needs children is available after additional provider training is conducted. These flexible care options are in addition to hourly, part time and full-time care options in the FCC homes.  For more information, please call WSMR Child Development Center at 575-678-5606.

The Child Development Center (CDC) offers several different childcare options and programs that are designed to promote leisure, social and life skills, citizenship, and leadership. CYS Services programs also offer mentoring, intervention, and support services for children six weeks through PreK. The CDC provides a diverse program of activities for eligible Military and Civilian children/youth, ages 6 weeks - PreK.

The CDC provides care to children ages 6 weeks through PreK. The Thomas J.P. Jones Child Development Center provides quality and affordable childcare. The program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and is fully certified by the Department of Defense.

Programs Offered

Full/Part Day Care – Offers quality developmental care for children 6 weeks to PreK years of age. Children are grouped within developmental age activity rooms and participate in daily curriculum based activities. 

Hourly Care – Meets the needs of parents requiring short-term care on an intermittent basis. Hourly care can be used for up to 15 hours a week. Reservations must be made 24 hours in advance. Cancelation of reservation is required.

Strong Beginnings Pre-K Program – This is for children starting Kindergarten the following year. The Army’s Strong Beginnings Pre-K program is designed to prepare children to be successful students. The curriculum focuses on the social, emotional, and physical development of children. The class is designed to equip the children with the basic academic and “Kindergarten Classroom Etiquette” skills to enhance “school readiness.” The Strong Beginnings class will be building the foundation for the children to have a smooth transition into the kindergarten program. Strong Beginnings meets Monday through Friday 8:30 - 11:30 following the Las Cruces Public School Calendar.

All requests for Full, Part Time or the Strong Beginnings programs must be requested thru the www.MilitaryChildCare.com.

Call Parent Central Services at 575-678-2441 for more information on what WSMR CYS Services has to offer.

The Thomas J.P. Jones Child Development Center is:

Located: Building 272 Picatinny,

Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, excluding Federal Holidays from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Phone Number:  575-678-2059.

*Info provided by WSMR CYS

Registration

The Child and Youth Services (CYS) Parent Central Registration office provides a one-stop shop for registration for all Child and Youth Services (CYS) programs including the Child Development Center, School Age Center, Middle School and Teen Center, Youth Sports and SKIES programs. In addition, CYS Parent Central can assist with childcare needs for special events, short-term alternative childcare and Family Child Care (FCC).

To request a registration packet in advance of your arrival, contact the White Sands Missile Range Parent Central office at 575-678-2441. There is no cost for CYS registration.

All families wanting to register for the Child Deveopment Center or School Age Care must pre-request care on the militarychildcare.com site prior to submitting CYS registration paperwork.

To compete CYS registration, the sponsor must provide the following documentation:

• Proof of child's immunizations
• 2 emergency contacts other than sponsor or spouse
• Copy of sponsor and spouse's pay stub
• Health assessment-due within 30 days of registration
• Single and dual military parents must provide their family care plan information within 30 days of registration

Eligibility

CYS programs are available for active-duty military personnel, DoD civilian personnel, and DoD contractors working at White Sands Missile Range.

Contact the White Sands Missile Range Central Registry office at 575-678-2441.

*Info provided by WSMR CYS.

The School Age Center (SAC) offers several different childcare options and programs that are designed to promote leisure, social and life skills, citizenship, and leadership. The SAC program offers mentoring, intervention, and support services for children Kindergarten through Fifth grade.  The SAC provides a diverse program of activities for eligible Military and Civilian children/youth.

The SAC program provides quality and affordable childcare.  The program is accredited by the Council of Accreditation and is fully certified by the Department of Defense.

The Alan A Nord School Age Center is:

Located: Building 1316 Aberdeen

Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, excluding Federal Holidays from 6 a.m. – 8 a.m., 2:45 p.m.-6 p.m. on school days and 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. on non-school days.

Phone Number:  575-678-4140. 

*Info provided by WSMR CYS.