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Show Aug. 22, 1996 Hilltop Times 15 They also serve who care for Air Force children Story and photos by Sue Berk Hilltop Times staff More than 50 women on Hill AFB have found a way to stay home, earn money and care for one of life's most prechildren. They've cious commodities joined the Hill AFB Family Day Care Program and have become family day care providers. Hill AFB started the program 10 years ago as an alternative to the base's Child Development Center. Family day care provides flexible and extended hours, variable rates, care for young infants and special needs children and a homelike environment for one-on-o- care. FDC providers are more than just babysitters. They are teachers, mothers, cooks and supervisors all wrapped into one. They do, as some people describe, one of the most underpaid, unappreciated and difficult jobs in the world. While being able to stay home with their own children is a benefit, the FDC providers are expected to provide a safe, healthy environment for up to six children, including their own. They must also provide healthy meals, snacks, and provide developmentally appropriate activities and guidance which promotes social skills and positive If that sounds tough, before an individual can become an FDC provider she must be licensed by the Air Force. To receive a license, potential providers go through a rigorous application process including training, home inspections and personal record screenings. It takes approximately one to two months to get a license, according to Dale Hunter, Family Day Care Program coordinator. The licensing process shouldn't scare off potential providers though. The FDC Program employees are ready to help f- - 0 self-estee- r ''' . Tt ;; . f Over a course of six months, a program representative visits a provider's home to share recipes, cook together and talk about nutrition, food safety and how to save on grocery bills. The FDC Program also requires providers be trained in basic first aid and be certified annually in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. They must also maintain a file on each child and complete a monthly report. In addition, FDC Program employees make monthly visits to each FDC home to ensure the program's requirements are being met. After all that, why would someone want to become a FDC provider? According to Hill AFB providers, the rewards are many. Being a provider allows them to stay home with their children and still earn a little money. (Providers at Hill a week for usually charge from $50-$7each child.) Caring for other children gives their children an opportunity to interact with others. They know they're providing quality care in their own home for not only their own children, but others as well. Providers are also rewarded by the FDC program. Quarterly, one FDC provider is selected and presented with a certificate and a $50 Army and Air Force Exchange Service gift certificate. plete a set of 15 training modules within 18 months. The modules help providers Award winners are selected on the basis understand the needs of children and of monthly reports, modules completed, what they can do to keep them safe and visits and the quality of care given. Hill providers say that one fact rehelp them grow. Modules topics include health and safety, communication, cog- mains parents leaving their children with FDC providers on Hill AFB can be nitive development, creativity, guidance assured their children are getting good and families. The providers can also join the U.S. quality care. For more information about the FamiDepartment of Agriculture's food prochildren to is which Day Care Program and how to become ly help designed gram a provider call Ext. receive nutritious and balanced meals. make the process easier. They provide all the necessary training and equipment. Items such as toys, cribs, sheets, strollers, books, sleeping mats and fire extinguishers are available through the day care's toy lending library. "The only expense for the provider is insurance," Hunter said. Providers must have day care liability insurance with a minimum of $300,000 liability coverage. Once a provider is licensed, the training doesn't stop. Providers, must com : ; M ' , . " - f Houu to cook for children Family Day Care providers must attend a variety of training to become licensed. As part of the food program training (left) Carol Lane, food program coordinator explains the materials available to providers. (Right) Car-lStaples, Utah State University Extended Nutrition Education Program, teaches cooking on a budget. (Bottom left and center) Providers have an opportunity to put what they learned into action by making healthy, low budget, mini pizzas. (Bottom right) Recipes are also available to providers for new, creative cooking ideas. a ' '' Jm ""0 v . " v J-tto- &M all '.. POOR COPY ) |