JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
Parents who are Department of Defense cardholders, including DoD contractors and retirees, are eligible to enroll their children into the Part Day Enrichment Program offered by the Child Development Program.
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis until Aug. 30. All forms must be submitted to the CDP. DoD members may enroll their children by emailing or faxing the 1181 Form and Child Placement Questionnaire. Forms that are walked in will also be accepted.
"Parents have the opportunity to have the benefits of the CDP at a part-time rate," Robert Ramirez, 902nd Force Support Squadron CDP Annex director, said.
Part Day Enrichment will offer two courses from Sept. 10 to May 24: a three-hour program 8-11 a.m. Monday-Friday and a four-hour program 8 a.m.-noon Monday-Friday.
The classes will take place at Randolph Youth Programs, Bldg. 585.
Ramirez said the program's price will vary depending on total family income and will take into account holidays the children have off.
The courses will follow the Randolph school calendar.
"PDE offers individualized activities that help support children's social-emotional, cognitive, language, creative arts and physical developmental needs," Ramirez said. "The curriculum is designed to put a stronger emphasis on the skills needed for kindergarten."
Each child in the program will be targeted on a two-week basis.
"Every two weeks, an activity directly related to whatever your child's interest or need is will be performed," Ramirez said. "They will be based on observations from our teachers as well as input from their parents.
"Parents know their children the best."
Mary Sharp, 902nd FSS Child Develpment Center training and curriculum specialist, said PDE teachers pride themselves on enabling children enrolled in the program to reach curriculum goals with the help of parents.
"Parents are the No. 1 role player in the whole process; we really have to function as a team," and the opportunity for parent-teacher conferences will be available throughout the school year, she said.
"We target all areas of development in young children," she said.
The early socialization of children is a considerable focus of the program as well.
"Cooperative play" is what Sharp intends PDE children to be well-versed in once they leave the program and move into grade school.
The CDC staff is working to bridge the gap between their curriculum, which the PDE program follows, and subsequent education.
"The transition from preschool to kindergarten can be tough for kids," Ramirez said.
Measures like a kindergarten field trip were placed by the CDP to gather children about to enter kindergarten and allow them to visit the base elementary to get acquainted with the classrooms.
Improving technology is another issue the CDP is taking into consideration, both from the perspective of its students and its educators.
"With the obesity factor in mind, we like to have our children move around and stay active," Sharp said. "At the same time, technology permeates the interest of children."
Ramirez believed increasing technology usage - in the form of computer-related and digitally based interactions with the balance of a "hands-on" environment - complements his program's curriculum.
"Times have shifted to being that adventurous child outside to an increase in being at home using technology," he said. "We want to evenly balance that in our programs."
Parents can email required enrollment forms to CDC-Main@randolph.af.mil or fax them to 652-1144.
For more information, please contact the Child Development Program Annex at 652-1140 or visit their website at www.randolphfss.com and click on "Facilities," then "Child Development Program."