Child enrichment programs to open on East Reservation

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Raughton
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Barksdale's Child Development Center plans to open a part-day enrichment program on the East Reservation here beginning Spring 2014.

The additional location in building 8088 will provide families living on the East Reservation easier access to CDC child enrichment services.

"We are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and we provide developmentally appropriate activities to prepare these children for kindergarten," said Betsy Welch, CDC chief of child development programs.

Part-day enrichment offers two, three and five-day programs offered to Barksdale's parents of preschoolers.

"This is for Airmen and civilians - anyone eligible to use facilities on the base," Welch said. "We take field trips, have visitors come in, we have pre-reading and writing activities, art, dance and music."

With so many activities, East Reservation residents have given feedback requesting services closer to their community.

"I hear from a lot of parents they want to see programs available to them on the East Reservation," Welch said. "To be able to provide this to their community has been a goal of mine."

Some families may find other benefits to having an enrichment program on the East Reservation.

"It's easily accessible, especially for the one-car families," said Danielle Baggett, a stay-at-home mother whose four-year old daughter attends the part-day enrichment program. "That way if Dad's at work with the car, you're still in walking distance, your child can still benefit and you don't have to re-work your schedule. We would definitely benefit."

Baggett is looking forward to the program in the Spring, as her daughter, Gabrielle, is already learning the alphabet, numbers, how to share, following directions and social skills.

"Social skills are probably the most important thing they learn here," Welch said. "I'm excited to do something for the kids that live on the East Reservation."