Child and teen services and education

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Child care centers are not as numerous here as they are in the United States. Therefore, locating child care can sometimes be a frustrating experience. To help parents meet their child care needs, a "Child Care Resource Guide" was developed and is available at the Child Development Center, Family Child Care Office and Airmen & Family Readiness Center.

Waiting for child care for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years (pre kindergarten) can range from 2 months up to12 months. Once receiving your orders, you may email DD Form 2606 to our Resource Referral Office and your name will be added to the waiting list with your anticipated arrival date. Call DSN 238-4040 or Commercial 011-1638 544040 for more details.

The waiting time for school age care for children ages 5 years (kindergarten) - 12 years, is approximately 1 month to 6 months. waiting list is from 1 to 6 months. Once you have your orders, email DD Form 2606 to the Youth Center and your name will be added to the waiting list with your anticipated arrival date. Call DSN 238-2831 or commercial 011-1638 542831 for details.

CHILD CARE PROGRAMS ON THE INSTALLATION

RAF Mildenhall Child Development Center (CDC)
The Child Development Program provides weekly care for children ages six weeks to five years of age. Hourly care is available on a limited basis.

Reservations can be made by calling the center at DSN 238-2042 or commercial, 01638 542042. Commercial Fax: 01638-712186. Opening hours: Monday - Friday, 0630-1800.

PCS families receive priority for hourly care 14 days in/outbound. All CDC rooms are staffed according to managed Air Force child care regulations. Caregivers are trained in early childhood education and in-service training is conducted to ensure that quality programming is maintained. Menus are approved by the base dietician and follow the USDA Child Care Food Preparation Standards.

How can I register my child?
Military members can request a child care space in the CDC or in the School Age program prior to their arrival at Mildenhall. The waiting list can be long so it is recommended that you request a space as soon as you have orders.

The following documents are required:

- 1 copy of the member's PCS orders assigning them to Mildenhall
- DD Form 2606, Department of Defense Child Development Program Request for Care Record.

Forward requests for care at the CDC to the RAF Mildenhall Resource & Referral Office at DSN 238-4040 or commercial number 011-44-1638 54-4040. For School Age care, forward requests to the Youth Center at DSN-238-2831.

The wait for child care for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years (pre Kindergarten) ranges from 3 months to 12 months.

The wait for school age care for children ages 5 years (kindergarten) - 12 years, is approximately 1 to 6 months. Upon arrival, parents are required to pay a waiting list fee of $25.00.

Youth Center
The Youth Center's "School Age Program" is offered to children ages 5 (Kindergarten) to 12 years. Military members can request a School Age Program slot for children aged 5 to12 years, prior to their arrival to Mildenhall.

How can I register my child?
The following documents are required:
- 1 copy of the member's PCS orders assigning them to Mildenhall
- DD Form 2606 - Department of Defense Child Development Program Request for Care Record.
Completed documents can be faxed to the Mildenhall Youth Center at DSN 238-2990 or commercial number 011-44-163854-2990. Or call DSN: 238-2831 or commercial 01638-542831 for more information.
Upon arrival, parents are required to pay a waiting list fee of $25.00 non-refundable deposit. The program operating hours are 0630-0830 hrs and 1500-1800 hrs when school is in session. Care is provided for early release, no school days and school breaks.
The youth center offers a "Pen Pal" program for "in-coming" youth. Send your name, address, interests, age and other information about yourself to:

Attn: Youth Director 100 SVS/SVYY APO AE 09459
or e-mail: 100svs/schoolage@mildenhall.af.mil.

The Open Recreation program is for youth ages 9-18 and operating hours are 1500- 2000 M-F (1900 for youth aged 9-12 on school nights) and noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Annual family membership is $25.00. Youth Programs provide opportunities for youths to develop their physical, social, emotional, and cognitive abilities and to experience achievement, leadership, enjoyment, friendship, and recognition. Our programs provide a wide variety of services, instructional classes and activities for children 5 years to 18 years of age including before and after school-age programs, full day camps during summer vacation and school holidays, youth sports, youth transition, and support services, and proud to be a member of the Boys and Girls Club of America. .
The School Age Program is open Monday-Friday 0630-0815 and 1500-1800. This program offers a structured and fully supervised environment for youth ages 5-12 and offers all day care during school breaks. Payment is weekly and is based on total family income.
The Sports Program is open to boys and girls ages 5 - 18 years (except volleyball). 'Start Smart' is a year- round program for children ages 3 - 5 years, covering the fundamentals of sport. The sports program currently includes girls' volleyball (11 - 18 years), 5-a-side indoor soccer, basketball, in-line hockey, and home school PE program.
Other programs for youth include the Torch and Keystone Clubs -- these small group clubs focus youth on positive development in areas such as service to club & community, education and career development, fitness, social recreation and more. Teens, 9th-12th grade may enroll in the Youth Employment Skills (YES) Program to gain valuable work experience and earn money for college, while the Congressional Award Program offers national recognition for their achievements in community service, physical fitness, personal development and expeditions/exploration. Youth of the Year- sponsored by Reader's Digest and administered by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the Youth of the Year Program recognizes exemplary character, superior leadership skills, academic achievement and outstanding service to the Boys & Girls Clubs and the community. Local winners are also given the opportunity to attend the Youth of the Year Award Ceremony in Washington DC. Regional winners receive a $3,000 scholarship and are also judged at National level with the chance to win an additional $10,000 scholarship!
Instructional Classes are also available, taught by fully qualified instructors. These classes currently include dance, karate, cheerleading, gymnastics, violin, creative dance/tap/jazz, Start Smart, and guitar.

Family Child Care Homes
Family Child Care is the regular care of a child for more than ten hours per week in the on-base home of another family. Persons who want to operate a Family Child Care home must meet certain Air Force requirements (to include licensing) before offering care to children. A cooperative program between the AF Family Child Care and British Social Services offers those in housing off base the opportunity to become a licensed Child Minder. There can be no more than six children receiving care in the home (including the provider's children) under the age of eight, and only two of the children can be under two years of age. To be eligible for care, children must be two weeks through 12 years of age. Parents must be active duty, retired military, employed civilians, or Department of Defense employees. Children are required to have current, updated immunizations, medical power of attorney and a Dependent Care form, AF Form 357 (single/dual military only). Hours of operation and fees charged are a matter of private negotiation between the provider and the parents. Parents are required to fill out a contract prior to beginning care. For more information, contact the Family Child Care Coordinator at the number listed above. Alternatively, the Lakenheath POC can be reached at commercial 01638-523718 or DSN 226-3718.


CHILDHOOD EDUATION

Department of Defense Schools
The Department of Defense operates five schools serving members based at RAF Lakenheath, RAF Feltwell, and RAF Mildenhall. There are no schools on RAF Mildenhall. These schools are part of the Isles District of DoDDS-Europe. The Isles District includes schools in Iceland, Belgium, Lajes, and Bahrain. There are three basic avenues for educating school-age children while you are stationed at RAF Lakenheath or RAF Mildenhall they are Department of Defense Dependent Schools, British Schools or Home Schooling. The School Liaison Officer on RAF Lakenheath is available to provide support and information related to dependent education.

Click on this link to go the DoDEA Isles District webpage: http://www.isle-dso.eu.dodea.edu/.

Three schools are located at RAF Lakenheath:
- Lakenheath Elementary School, (Sure Start, Pre-School Children with Disabilities, and K-3)
- Liberty Intermediate School (4 and 5)
- Lakenheath High School (9-12)

RAF Feltwell, 11 Miles north of RAF Lakenheath, hosts two schools:
- Lakenheath Middle School (6-8)
- Feltwell Elementary School (K-5)

All five schools are accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). The NCA is also the accreditation agency for 19 states ensuring the DoD schools are comparable to U.S. school districts.

Tuition-free, space -required enrollment is limited to command-sponsored pupils. The child's name must appear on the sponsor's overseas travel orders as proof of command sponsorship. Others may be admitted on a space-available basis, either tuition fee-free or tuition paying. Families who intend to enroll their children in DODDS and who require school bus transportation should contact the school bus office to determine whether or not they are on a bus route prior to signing a lease for a house or apartment off base. Whether students K-5 attend school on RAF Lakenheath or RAF Feltwell is determined by the busing catchment area. Once the housing area and school zone are determined, the sponsor should report to the appropriate school office and complete the school registration forms. Registration for new students takes place year-round.
For more information on this subject contact the School Liaison Officer at commercial 011-44-1638-525077, or DSN 314-226-5077.

British School System 
If you are considering sending your child to a British school, here are some frequently asked questions that will help your decision-making.

How do I find information on British schools?
Education is a service provided by the County Councils in England. Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire all have comprehensive websites which include a whole section on education in their area. This is a good place to start for general information. Look at www.suffolkcc.gov.uk/education/schools ; www.camcnty.gov.uk or www.norfolk.gov.uk

What is the difference between a state school and an independent school?
State schools are free of charge and independent schools are fee-paying schools. An old term you may still hear for an independent school is a 'public' school, which really is a contradiction in terms because only the minority attend fee-paying schools.

Will I have to pay to send my child to a church school?
If the church school is a State school, no fees required are required. Voluntary-aided schools are run in partnership with the Roman Catholic Church and Church of England. The school governors decide which children can go to the school and how religion is taught.

At what age do children start school?
British children must begin full-time education at the start of the term after their fifth birthday. In Suffolk, all children can get full-time education from the start of the term during which they become five. For example, children born in March can start full-time school in January if their parents want them to. Each County Education Office will be able to tell you when your child can start their education. Some children may be able to start schooling on a part-time basis for a term before going for full days.

At what age do they start another school?
Norfolk has a slightly different system to Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. Norfolk children remain in primary school until the age of eleven when they move up to high school. Children in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk will leave primary school at the age of nine and then go to middle school. They remain there until they are thirteen and then join the high school. 

What is a catchment area?
Most children attend the school in their immediate local area, providing there is space. This school is called the catchment school. Every school serves an area of streets or villages, but sometimes this is different for church schools. Parents have a right to ask for a place at a different school. This is called a 'preferred' school. However, it may not be possible to obtain a place if the preferred school is full - this is the overriding factor. If your catchment area school is full then the education office will find you a place at the next nearest. Schools are not able to vary the government's regulations on class sizes.

When does the school year start and how is it divided up?
The school year starts at the beginning of September and is divided into three 'terms' with holidays (vacations) of two weeks at Christmas and Easter and a six-week holiday in the summer. Each term is sub-divided into two 'half-terms' by a week's vacation.

Do I have to register?
Registration is not the same here. We use the term enrolment. When the head teacher confirms that there is availability at the school, he or she will need pupil details. The information required will include a DEROS date for the parent. This is required to help in planning for numbers related to future funding for the school. It is very important that, should you have to take your child out of the school for any reason, you notify the head teacher as soon as possible of the last day of attendance.
In order to enroll at a British school you will need to have a British address in the local area.

How will my child progress through school?
Teaching is based on the National Curriculum which has a core of four subjects - English, Maths, Science and Information Technology. Other subjects, such as languages, are introduced at different stages. Within the national curriculum there are Key Stages of learning. Key Stage I is Years 1 and 2, Key Stage 2 - up to Year 6, Key Stage 3 - up to Year 9 and Key Stage 4 - Years 10 and 11. Key Stage 4 is the time when external examinations are taken with a view to entering further education, either college or university.

Will my child get free transport to school?
Free bus transportation to and from school is not automatic. The head teacher may ask for a commitment from you as parents to ensure that your child is delivered to school and picked up from the school. Also, in England we do not have distinctive school buses. Drivers over here are not required to stop behind a school bus but to proceed with caution, so it is essential that children are aware of the dangers of crossing the road when getting off a school bus.

Will my child have to wear a school uniform?
In British schools you will usually be required to wear a uniform. The top (most often a sweatshirt) has the school logo on it and can often be purchased at the school. The bottom (pants - say 'trousers' or skirt) must be a certain colour but can be bought in any store. Uniform is worn most days, except 'non-uniform' days.

What are the school times?
Typically the school day will commence at 9 a.m and will conclude at 3 p.m. The lunch break normally runs from noon till 1:30 p.m. There is normally the option of the children having a hot lunch (for a small fee), going home, or bringing in a packed lunch. Parents should follow any guidelines on the contents of packed lunches. The morning and afternoon sessions are normally broken up by a 15 minute playtime (recess).

Are there places where I can find additional information?
The best places to find out about the specific schools in your area is to call the Education Office in your area. If you live in Suffolk call 01284 352136, Norfolk call 01603 222593 or Cambridgeshire 01223 717916. They will want to know your full British Address including your post (zip) code along with the date of birth of your child/children. They will be able to give you the current situation on the schools in your area and will give you advice on what procedure you have to follow.

Your Community Relations Adviser is also available to help you.