Childcare
6001 Arnold Street
Airman & Family Readiness Center, Bldg 6001
Tinker AFB, OK 73145-9011
Phone 405-739-2747
Phone (DSN) 312-339-2747
Fax (DSN) 312-339-7250
Child Development Center (CDC)
There are three Child Development Centers located on Tinker AFB. Building 5510 located on the West side of the base, building 3904 located on the East side of the base,and building 1101 located on the South side of the base. The East and West CDC's are certified by Air Force, accredited with the National Association of the Education for Young Children (NAEYC) and are Three Star certified by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. The South CDC will be going through accreditation within the next two years.
The goal of the Tinker Child Development Program is to provide a safe, healthy, loving and rich environment that meets and promotes children's physical, social, emotional and cognitive development. Our staff is committed to providing quality care by implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum that encourages children to be active participants in the learning process.
Waiting List - If you would like to place your child in the Tinker Child Development Program, you must complete a DD Form 2606 to place your child on the waiting list or you may contact the Resource and Referral office at DSN 312-884-7980 or 405-734-7980. If PCS'ing, you must also submit a copy of orders along with the previously mentioned paper work. You can also find the form on Tinker Living.
Priority Care - The Resource and Referral Office fills spaces for childcare based on the Department of Defense Instruction 6060.2 and AFMC prioritizing of the child/youth programs waiting list. Each age group has a waiting list with a prioritization within that list. The prioritization is as follows (Note: Priorities 1 and 2 are a combined category and are critical as they meet the mission goals for Tinker AFB; and therefore one does not have a priority over the other with terms of date filed):
Priority 1: Active Duty Military/DoD Civilians- Single parents assigned to/working at installation. (Note: IF a couple is living together as a family unit, they are considered as if married. The sponsor is not considered a single parent.)
Priority 2: Active Duty Military/DoD Civilians- Dual employed parents assigned to/working at installation.
Priority 3: Active Duty Military/DoD Civilians- One parent assigned to /working at installation, the other parent works off base. This also includes one parent assigned to/working at installation and one parent who is a full-time student. (Full-time status is a student enrolled in at least 12 hours a semester).
Priority 4: Active Duty Military/DoD civilians- Not assigned to the installation (single, dual, and and or one parent is unemployed).
Priority 5: Reservist/Guard- If on active duty same priority as 1, 2 and 3, assigned to installation. If not on active duty, maintain this priority.
Priority 6: Contractors.
Fees - A current fee listing can be obtained from the Resource and Referral office, on line or from one of the CDC’s. Fees, according to DoD Instruction 6060.2 are based on Total Family Income-gross income-for the year. If one parent is a full time student, proper documentation must be obtained from the school and fees will be calculated off of the other working parent only.
Respite Care - Respite care is important to the prosperity of the military family, Give Parents a Break is one respite care program Tinker offers. Give Parents a Break is five hours of free care offered one weekend a month for families whose spouse has been deployed, TDY, has a special needs child or who are undergoing unique circumstances or hardships due to the nature of military life. To be eligible for the program, families may obtain a referral certificate by one of the following officials: Squadron Commander/First Sergeant/immediate Supervisor, Chaplain, Doctor or other medical professional, Family Advocacy Personnel or Airman and Family Services Flight personnel. Once certificate is obtained contact the Resource and Referral office for more information and to make reservations.
Another program is the Returning Home Care program. This program is for Active Duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve members who routinely deploy on a short-term basis returning from support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Each member’s family will receive 16 hours of care per child to children ages 12 years and under. Care will be provided in one of the Extended Duty Family Child Care Provider homes and is based on space available. The care must be used within 30 days of the return from the deployment unless the program is not able to offer it during that time. For more information you may contact the Resource and Referral office.
*Special Needs Care - Children with conditions that require special services, beyond those normally provided to promote children's growth and development, are considered "special need children." Determination of a special need must be made by base medical authorities or attending physician. This category includes children with dietary restrictions, ongoing medical conditions, and speech delays, developmental delays or physical problems/handicaps. Parents of special needs children must discuss the situation with the center director/designee and obtain written concurrence (special needs letter/ health assessment) from base medical advisory, prior to the child's enrollment. The guidelines of the Center for Disease Control are followed to ensure the protection of the health of all children and adults.
Family Child Care (FCC)
The Family Child Care program offers an alternative for child care to families who want their children in a home-like environment. Many FCC Providers are able to accommodate the various work schedules of parents by offering part-time, hourly, weekend/evening/night care, shift work and special needs care, in addition to full-time care. FCC Provider Vacancy list is available at the Child Development Center, Youth Center, Airman and Family Readiness Center and is posted on the Force Support Website.
FCC Homes are located on and off the installation. There is no differentiation between On-Base licensed and Off-Base Affiliate providers in regards to training requirements or adherence to Air Force regulations.
For more information about Family Child Care or on becoming a Family Child Care Provider, call 405-734-7190 or DSN 312-884-7190.
School Age Program (SAP)
The SAP offers children from 5 years (in Kindergarten) to 12 years (6th grade) a wide variety of educational and entertaining experiences. The children are offered such activities as newsletter club, drama/theater, fine arts, cooking, photography, gardening, etc. Activity rooms consist of arts and crafts, science exploration, reading and writing, legos, board games, dramatic play, outdoor play and computer play.
1.Tinker Elementary School (K-5th Grade)- Children are escorted from the youth center to the elementary school.
2.Parkview Elementary (K-5th Grade)- Transportation provided by the SAP to the school. Limited seating available.
3.Jarman Jr. High (6th grade)- A school bus will pick up and drop off children at the bus shelter located across the street from the youth center.
Each year, the need for transportation from Tinker Before and Afterschool Program to schools in the Mid Del School District is reviewed. Rates are based on total family income. The SAP follows the Mid Del School District Calendar. Before and After School care is offered on school days and full day care is offered on school breaks. The SAP is closed all Federal Holidays.
Homes Near Base
