United States Air Force Academy

Donna Head Child Development Center

The Donna Head CDC is named after a former chief of Family Member Programs, including the CDC, Youth Center, youth sports, family child care and part-day enrichment programs at the Air Force Academy.

Childcare services at the Air Force Academy include the Donna Head CDC near the Pine Valley Housing Area and a second CDC near the Community Center, base exchange and commissary. The CDCs are open weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

CDC GOALS
The CDC goals are:

-- To foster positive identity and a sense of emotional well-being
-- To enhance social skills
-- To encourage children to think, reason, question and experiment
-- To promote language and literacy development
-- To build physical development and skills
-- To support sound health, safety and nutritional practices
-- To advance creative expression, representation and appreciation for the arts

TYPES OF CARE
Hourly Care -- This type of care is short-term, usually from one to five hours on a non-regular basis. Reservations should be made in advance.
Full Day/Week Care -- Child care for five to 10 hours per day, five days per week. This program usually involves children whose parents are both employed or children who live with one parent.
Part-Day Enrichment -- This program is for children ages 3-5 whose parents do not need full-day service but would like their children to participate in an early childhood program.
Family Child Care Homes -- Military housing or homes in the community can be used to provide child care for a small number of children in a family-type environment. Family Child Care programs include the Extended Duty Care Program, funded by the Air Force, and care when parents are undergoing a permanent change of station.

ACCREDITATION
The CDC is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Accreditation involves all aspects of the program in a continual self-evaluation and improvement process. Assessors from the NAEYC verify the results of these efforts, ensuring the highest quality early childhood education in accordance with the Military Child Care Act of 1989.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Donna Head CDC -- 719-333-6863 / 719-333-6779
Child Development Center 2 -- 719-333-4166 / 719-333-4733
Family Child Care Office -- 719-333-7957

For more information on the Child Development Center, visit the CDC page on the USAFA Services Web site.

Inside USAFA