Child development center increases space for children

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Michael Stuart
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTIEN AIR BASE, Germany --  The 86th Force Support Squadron child development center here added an annex close to their current facilities, which will be available to the public August 18.

Volunteers will be gathered at building 800 to pull weeds, pick up trash and move furniture to help with the almost finished project.

"The new annex is the last phase of an on-going early intervention project that started in 2008," said Shaquita Ponder, 86th Force Support Squadron Airman and family services deputy flight chief.
"Over $2 million were given to the installation to increase child-care spaces."

The new annex will give the CDC the ability to accommodate 32 more children. The waitlist has been as long as 200 children, but is now at 12. With the increase in children capacity, there will also be an increase in staff.

"We are consistently seeking for professionals in the area that are interested in the early childhood field and with the classrooms being added, we will definitely be seeking more employees," said Melissa Gironda, 86th FSS child development center assistant director. "If someone would like to apply they can go online to www.nafjobs.org. They have to be able to read, write, speak English, have a high school diploma or equivalent and be at least 18 years old."

According to Ponder, with the increase in the children space, the completion of the project and volunteers coming out support the community, the staff at the CDC are very excited to see the facility open.