WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Child Development Center (CDC) offers a preschool program for children 3 to 5 years old, who are dependents of active-duty military, Department of Defense civilians and base contractors.

"The preschool program uses the Creative Curriculum and is accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs and the Department of the Air Force," said Vivian Gadson, Child Development Center director, 88th Force Support Squadron.

Creative Curriculum is a research-based curriculum that helps create a high-quality learning environment that enables every child to strengthen skill sets needed for school readiness. The curriculum uses hands-on activities to focus on various developmental stages of the child, according to the CDC.

For example, the preschool program offers an activity designed to enhance children's knowledge of patterns through the use of colored counting frogs.

This activity directly correlates to the developmental skill found in the Ohio Early Learning Standards for Prekindergarten, said Necoleia Friend, Supervisory Training and Curriculum specialist, 88 FSS.

During a typical preschool day at the CDC, children participate in a group meeting, large and small group activities, and teacher-initiated activities.

"These activities are specifically designed with the intent of promoting learning across various developmental domains," Friend said.

Next, the children are provided large motor skills outdoors, if weather permits, and then participate in story time or review of morning activities. After lunch, children are provided a rest time in the afternoon and then the children are provided activities similar to morning activities.

"Annually, the CDC leadership and selected preschool staff attend the Kindergarten Readiness Summit," said Gadson.
 
The summit brings together preschool professionals, educators and community leaders to learn about improving kindergarten readiness and third grade reading in Montgomery County.  

The CDC has 262 preschoolers with a 12-to-1 teacher ratio. The program staff is provided training focusing on topics to support their current positions, according to the CDC.

For more information on the CDC Preschool program, contact the Resource and Referral Office at 656-8685.