TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The Youth Center School Age Program was reaccredited Jan. 26 following a congressionally mandated inspection which was conducted by the Council of Accreditation (COA).
A mandate instated through the Military Child Care Act, Tinker’s program must be reaccredited every five years. Formal notification of accreditation can take up to 45 days, but since the Youth Center School Age Program had zero non-compliance items, the process was expedited to a two-day turnaround.
School age coordinator Joy Shelly elaborated on the three areas COA bases its accreditation from. First, the human resources element ensures that all of the staff meets qualifications. Second is the evaluation of all training. Most of the staff, she said, completes 40 hours of training prior to a new year. Lastly is administration, making sure the documentation and certifications from the Department of Defense are in order. Communicating with the entities of oversight and maintaining good risk management procedures as well as fire safety and health are included.
During a two-day period in January, Tinker’s Youth Center was further evaluated on morning and afternoon programs and making sure that curriculum and activities were developmentally appropriate, and that materials were challenging to all individuals.
Lindsay Kiser, a training and curriculum specialist, engages with staff on a weekly basis to guide them through various discussions on areas of development and lesson plans.
“We want lesson plans to be intentional and have a purpose,” she explained. “The staff has to understand what the youth will get out of the activity or experience before they plan.” Though picking and choosing activities on a more random basis can stimulate interest, the specialist said that investing in the child and listening to what they’re talking about makes a huge difference. From learning about what they like and what interests them, you can help cater to their learning style that way. The staff also tries to coordinate activities or lessons which relate to current events, whether it pertains to the presidential or political campaigns or ecofriendly undertakings.
An endorser from COA with over 30 years of experience left Tinker’s Youth Center in January with the highest remarks of her tenure. Very impressed with the response and interaction with the children to each other, with the staff and with the parents, the endorser added that Tinker’s Center is “the best environment she’s ever been in.”
Mindy Whittington, Youth Programs director, explained how important environments are when working in childcare programs. Oftentimes disciplinary issues ensue in negative or poor environments, but it’s not always “black and white.” It’s not about the quality of paint on the wall, but the feel of the environment and the people you’re surrounded by.
“To have been told that [Tinker’s Youth Center] is ‘notches above any other place she’s been’ is the best compliment we could’ve gotten,” Ms. Whittington said.
A very youth driven program, the reaccreditation is a testament to the passion and vision for the program and the direction it’s headed.
Since its last accreditation five years ago, the Youth Center has not changed anything major, but rather maintained the quality of the programs. A center that is constantly changing and adapting new activities, ideas, styles and techniques, the group has grown and upheld the excellence it strives for.
“Flexibility is key,” Ms. Shelly said. “No day is the same and no child is the same. The staff is young and passionate, which is another compliment we received from our endorser. You never know what will spark an interest in a child so constantly learning, changing and growing is critical for us.”
Long-term improvement plans help the Youth Center maintain its superiority, including goals for the program as well as plans for the building. Also, every September the directors conduct surveys from the children, family and staff to help development and for progression. Air Force Inspections and information observations help the quality improvement, too.
Flight chief Mary Duncan raved about her team’s efforts and praised them for this accomplishment.
“I am exceptionally proud of Mindy, Joy and their team,” she commented. “A lot of hard work was put forth in this accreditation. Our youth are being cared for by a dedicated and enthusiastic team who is committed to quality. Team Tinker is lucky to have such a wonderful program for its youth.”