Child Development Center |  Youth Program | Family Child Care

Child Development Program, Building 337

       The Philosophy of our Child Development Center is to help children grow and develop to their maximum potential in a safe, nurturing, and child- centered learning environment in which caregivers and parents collaborate in partnership to meet the children’s unique needs.  The staff utilizes the Marazon System to assesses the children’s individual needs. Information gathered is then used as a foundation for lesson plans and parent conferences.

      Accreditation:  The Child Development Program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children

   Programs:  Childcare is available on a full time, inclusive programs for children with special needs, and on an hourly care basis.  The program also provides a part-day enrichment program for McConnell’s three and four year olds with an enrollment of approximately 55 children.  The program also sponsors the “Give Parents A Break” respite care program.  

     Capacity: The Child Development program provides developmentally appropriate care for 210 children, aged six months to five years.  

       Staff:  60 staff currently, increasing to 70 when new center opens; 6 staff certified by Child Development Association or Early Childhood A.A.; 6 staff working towards CDA credential  

    Facility:  Opened Oct 2000, with  capacity for 210 children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. The facility has 16 care rooms

Youth Programs, Building 338  

The McConnell AFB Youth programs believe every child is a unique individual. We are sensitive to all aspects of a child’s growth including social, emotional, intellectual, and physical. We provide developmentally appropriate activities that focus on the process of learning and helping children enjoy successful experiences.

We believe in providing an environment that is safe, healthy and oriented to children.

Our programs are designed to develop in children a sense of independence and responsibility.  We desire to strengthen each child’s own cultural identity, while instilling a respect for others who might be different.

Accreditation:  The school age program is  accredited by the National School Age Care Alliance.

Programs:  We offer a before and after school age care, hourly care, inclusive programs for children with special needs, summer day camp programs for children Kindergarten through 6^th grade.  We offer instructional classes for children 3 to 18 years of age in gymnastics and dance. TaeKwonDo is offered to children 5 to 18 years of age.  Sports are offered for youth 5 to 18 years of age throughout the year in baseball, soccer, basketball, wrestling, cheerleading, girl’s softball, and Lifetime Sports Camps with a total of 250 participants. All volunteer coaches are NYSCA certified to promote our recreational sports programs.

Programs are offered for pre-teens and teens weekly and on the weekends to include activities such as roller skating, art classes, ice skating, cooking activities, trips to area activities in the Wichita Community.

Educational classes are offered to include Capable Kids (Latchkey), baby-sitting, drug prevention and skills building, alternatives to violence and gang prevention.  Teens can attend specialized workshops on careers and job skills.  Teens can participate in the Teen trail, an outdoor adventure program to enhance their life skills and build positive self-esteem.

Affiliation:  The Youth Program has been an active member in the Boys and Girls Clubs of America since 1997.  

Staff:  5 staff work directly with the children with one school age program leader.

Facility:  11,384 sq. feet divided into nine areas of interest, full size gymnasium, playground and sports fields.  

Family Child Care Program, Building 338

The Family Child Care Program (FCC) offers a variety of child care options for the McConnell AFB community.  The Family Child Care providers are independent business persons operating under a license granted by the Air Force.  

Family Child Care providers are encouraged to seek accreditation of their FCC homes by the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC).  

     Programs:  Family Child Care providers may choose to care for children during the day, evening, or weekend, for a few hours or extended hours.  Inclusion and respite care for children with special needs is also provided.  A FCC provider may care for a total of six children, ages two weeks to twelve years.  

      Staffing:  Program oversight is provided by a Family Child Care Coordinator with assistance from the Family Programs Training and Curriculum Specialist.  

    Licensing:  Parents have the option of choosing the quality of child care that they want for their children by selecting a provider from one of four licensing levels (Provisional, Standard, Developmental, and Accredited).  FCC providers must maintain high compliance with health and safety standards and add to their programs activities geared toward developmentally appropriate practices and school readiness for children.

    Affiliation:  State licensed and registered off base providers who are also military dependents or retired military may apply through the FCC office to become affiliated with the Air Force Family Child Care Program.

Training:  Orientation training is offered once a month for all FCC applicants.  A lending program is in place, which helps alleviate the up front business costs for the affiliate/provider.  Current FCC providers attend monthly training sessions and complete a home-study course consisting of 15 training modules.  

Christy Burns 
Family Member Program Flight Chief
22 SVS/SVY
53476 Wichita St, Ste 141C
McConnell AFB, KS 67221-4000
Phone:  316-759-4305
Christy.burns@mcconnell.af.mil