Curfew
Military and Department of Defense Civilian sponsors are responsible at all times for the supervision, health, safety and welfare of their Family Members and guests on the installation.
Have you ever had to run a few errands and decided to let the kids stay at home? Have you wondered was it ok to let the kids walk to school by themselves? What about hiring a teen babysitter while you are taking a few night classes? These and many other questions can be answered by the Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield Child Supervision Policy: The following is a summary of the Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield Child Supervision Policy:
Child Supervision:
- Children from Newborn through 8 years of age will have close supervision at all times, in and out of the home to include playgrounds, outdoor play and walking to and from school. For school purposes the age limits will be defined as Pre-K through 3rd grade.
- Children 9-12 years of age may be left unattended in quarters for a maximum of 2 hours during the day, not caring for another child, if the child has access to an adult and demonstrates the ability to be responsible and mature.
- Children 13 years of age may be left unattended in quarters for a maximum of 3 hours during the day if the child has access to an adult and demonstrates the ability to be responsible and mature. The parent or guardian of a child 13 years or older may authorize that child to escort their younger sibling (grades 1-3) to and from school, written authorization must be provided to the school (in the event that the younger sibling is late to school, the parent/guardian is responsible for signing them in).
- Children 14 years of age may be left unattended for a maximum of 6 hours if the child has access to an adult and demonstrates the ability to be responsible and mature.
- Children 15-17 may be left unattended in quarter for a maximum of 8 hours if the child has access to an adult and demonstrates the ability to be responsible and mature. Children of this age range may be left unattended overnight if the parent/guardian is in the local area (no more than an hour away by car).
- Children ages 9-17 must be provided a telephone number where the parent(s)/guardian(s) can be reached as well as telephone numbers for the police and fire department and the hospital. The name and telephone number of a designated adult who can immediately be available in the event of an emergency must be provided to the child.
Guidelines for Babysitting:
- Children 13 years of age and older who demonstrate maturity and responsibility may care for younger children if they have attended the Babysitting Class for teens. Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to ensure that siblings providing child care have been certified in infant/child CPR, Basic First Aid, and proper care giving techniques. All non-Family Child Care (FCC) providers must be certified. Child, Youth & School Services provides free training for babysitters.
- Children 13-14 years of age may care for younger siblings for a maximum of 3 hours, without direct supervision, however, they are encouraged to ensure that siblings providing child care have been certified in infant/child CPR, Basic First Aid, and proper care giving techniques. It is not recommended that children 13-14 years of age to care for infants, small children and children that require special medical attention.
- Children 15-17 years of age may care for younger siblings for a maximum of 8 hours, without direct supervision. This does not include overnight care. Children in this age group are encouraged to be certified in infant/child CPR, Basic First Aid, and proper care giving techniques.
- Children 15-17 years of age may care for younger children (non siblings) for a maximum of 8 hours, if they have attended the babysitting class for teens.
- Children will not be supervised by anyone under 18 years of age for more than eight hours or overnight.
Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield Curfew for Children under 18:
- Children 11 years of age or younger shall be inside their home or someone else's home between 2100 and 0600, unless they are under close supervision of an adult (18 years of age or older).
- Children who are 12 years or more of age, but less than 15 years of age, shall be inside their home or someone else's home between 2200 and 0600, unless they are under the direct supervision of a parent/guardian or sibling 18 years of age or older; or returning home directly from a community/school-organized function or facility, a Youth Services Program, traveling to/from verifiable employment, or responding to a bona fide emergency.
- Children who are 15 years of age, but less than 18 years of age, shall be inside their home or someone else's home between midnight and 0600, unless they are under close supervision of a parent/guardian or sibling 18 years of age or older; or are returning home directly from a community/school organized function or facility, a Youth Services Program, traveling to/from verifiable employment, or responding to a bona fide emergency.
- Parents or guardians are responsible for compliance with this curfew. If the child is in the company of an adult other than a parent/guardian during the period of curfew, the parent/guardian must authorize the adult in advance to supervise and be responsible for the child.
Child Passenger Vehicle Safety:
- Children 11 years of age and under will not be left unattended for any period in a vehicle. Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield enforces Georgia law for car seat requirements for children. Details regarding child safety restraints may be found at http://www.gahighwaysafety.org.
It is not just the responsibility of the parent(s) to safeguard their children, it is the responsibility of everyone on the military installation to be cautious of potential situations that can be harmful or even fatal for minors. To report information about known or suspected child abuse contact one of the following:
Fort Stewart
Social Work Service - (912) 435-6779
Army Community Services - (912) 767-2882
Directorate of Emergency Services - (912) 767-2822
Hunter Army Airfield
Social Work Service - (912) 315-5236
Army Community Services - (912) 315-6816
Directorate of Emergency Services - (912) 315-6133