Photo By Staff Sgt. James Bunn | Colonel H. Charles Hodges, Joint Base Lewis-McChord commander, with the help from some...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. - Soldiers, families and leaders celebrated the grand re-opening of Clarkmoor Child Development Center during a ribbon cutting ceremony March 26 on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
The re-opening of the center marks the end of a seven-year, $29 million construction project for 11 CDCs around JBLM.
“We had to renovate the centers due to a higher demand for childcare than the building could support,” said Diane Croteau, facility director at Clarkmoor.
The renovation began November 2012 and now features 21 smaller classrooms. Teachers have the option to arrange the classrooms in different ways to meet the needs of all children, according to her.
In addition, the renovated facility includes three music motor rooms, where children can learn through play, and a designated staff training room that providers can use to prepare lessons and complete required training.
“Recent studies in the effectiveness of smaller classrooms helped us make the decision to remodel with the focus being on smaller groups interacting with the providers,” added Croteau.
The expanded facility provides part-day, full-day and hourly childcare for 325 infants, at least six-weeks-old, and students up to kindergarten.
“It was a large project and there were a lot of changes,” the facility director said. “By doing renovations, we expanded our ability to care for children and meet the needs of the military community.”
The Department of Defense ensures child development centers ensure staff training, curriculum, health, safety and nutrition; this allows JBLM CDCs to become nationally accredited childcare facilities.
Quality childcare helps Soldiers reduce the conflict between their parental responsibilities and military mission, assisting them maintain a resilient force, said Croteau.
“The Army has set precedence for providing the highest quality childcare in the nation,” she said. “The goal of CYS has always been to provide a safe, home-like environment where Soldiers feel comfortable leaving their child while they complete their mission.”
Parents with questions about Clarkmoor or any of the other 10 CDCs on JBLM can contact Parent Central by calling 253-966-2977.
| Date Taken: | 03.26.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 04.04.2014 15:24 |
| Story ID: | 124363 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, US |
| Web Views: | 71 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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