An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Tending Tyndall Tots

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Cody R. Miller
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Tyndall Airmen have critical jobs that require a great deal time and concentration, so the last thing they need is the additional worry of childcare.

The Child Development Center provides day care and parent education programs to Airmen in need and provides an essential service for the base as a whole.

"We provide care for a total of 225 children," said Esther Brown-Robinson, CDC director. "We provide excellent supervision and over 30 of our staff members have received certifications in child care. We take care of children from the ages of 6-weeks to 5-years-old."

Brown-Robinson said she has been at Tyndall for more than 2 years and has been in the child care business for over 25 years.

"We also offer parent education classes that help teach new parents how to help their children transition into school," Brown-Robinson said.  "Being a new parent can be confusing and difficult, that's why we have our certified staff available to give advice on a multitude of subjects whenever they need help."

The center is open from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and can be approved by leadership to have extended hours during many of Tyndall's mission essential exercises.

The CDC also offers the "Give Parents a Break Program," which takes kids off their parent's hands for a weekend night to give them some relaxation time.

They offer childcare to all of Tyndall, so as a result the space for kids can be limited. This can cause issues with busy Airmen, so the CDC will even attempt to help them with outside care.

"I would say the biggest challenge we face is when we don't have enough room for a child," Brown-Robinson said. "If that happens we try to refer them to local care facilities in town until a slot opens up. We also coordinate with the Family Child Care Office to give any parents, or parent, that works shift work extended care hours. That way we ensure that the children of Team Tyndall are always cared for."

The CDC uses the Military Childcare website to keep track of a waiting list for any inbound Airmen with children or any expecting Airmen.

Brown-Robinson said the Tyndall CDC has just passed the National Association for the Education of Young Children Gold Seal Facility inspection.

"We here at the CDC truly have a passion for children," Brown-Robinson said. "We strive to make the care of our Airmen's children the top priority and provide an excellent service to Tyndall."