“Our Mission
is Caring”
Welcome to the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant Child and
Youth Services. McAlester currently has an excellent Child Development
Center (CDC) with a capacity of 43 spaces. The CDC has Department of Defense
(DOD) Certification, National Accreditation, and is a three star-licensed
center in the State of Oklahoma.
Parents may arrange a time to come into the classroom
and share a special talent with the children or arrange a time for the
children to visit a work place, if appropriate. Talent sharing can include
singing, storytelling, musical instruments, cooking, art ideas, computers
woodworking, etc. Coordination with the lead caregivers must be done prior
to your visit. Twice a year, in fall and in spring, CDC schedules formal
conferences with parents; the lead caregiver conducts these conferences.
Mealtime is a time for sharing and conversation, along
with a nutritious meal. Join your child’s activity room for lunch and
share a meal with a child. Parents are asked to arrive to help with hand
washing and stay through clean up. A short family style dining orientation
must be completed prior to helping in the classroom. Naptime is a very
busy time in the activity room. Caregivers pat backs; read and help the
children relax during naptime. The extra attention makes it a relaxing,
enjoyable time for the kids.
We would like to encourage you to become an active partner
in your child’s program. Your involvement is important to your child and
to us. When parents are involved in their child’s program it is rewarding
for the child and increases the quality of the programs.
Families located in housing at McAlester Army Ammunition
Plant are invited to spend some time as guests with their child in the
Child Development Center. This will allow the adult to share information,
ask questions and watch their child play with other children. The outreach
program is available during outdoor play on Mondays. Children are required
to have parents with them at all time. There is no charge for the outreach
program, just come and participate.
Parents serve as team members for the annual Installation
Child Care Education Team (ICCET) evaluation. Team membership requires
time for observations and completion of required forms. The Parent Advisory
Group meeting is held the first Thursday of each month at a posted location
(locations are posted inside the Child Development Center and the Youth
Services/ School Age/ Teen location). Updates on all CDS programs, children’s
activities, and parenting information are presented. Each board member
receives a discount. CDS authorized surveys are sent periodically to evaluate
the quality of programs and access the needs of the community.
Youth Services/School Age/Teen
Programs
The McAlester Community Center houses Youth Services, which also runs
the School Age Program and the Teen Programs. The Center has a capacity
of 65 spaces, is DOD certified, National Accredited, and is a three star-licensed
center with the State of Oklahoma. Employees can bring their children
ages 6-18 to the center. After school the children are provided a snack
as well as homework assistance and computer instruction.
On non-school days, such as teacher’s meetings, snow days,
Christmas break, spring break, and summer break the Center is open from
0545 to 1730 and offer a variety of activities to include field trips,
bowling, skating, picnics, computer activities, movies, arts & crafts,
etc…
For ages 14 and up a mentoring program is in place for
the teens to work with younger children. Planned teen activities are provided
during the school year
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