JBER hospital provides free child care

Tania Leslie, child watch specialist, plays with Olivia Powell, 2, at the Teddy’s Child Watch care center at Joint-Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Dec. 9. Teddy’s Child Watch is a free service that offers a safe place for children to be watched during appointments at the hospital. Olivia is the daughter of Damian Powell, with the 673d Surgical Operations Squadron, and Tanisha Powell. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Valerie Monroy)

JBER hospital provides free child care

Leah Powell, left, and Olivia Powell, right, play at the Teddy’s Child Watch care center at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Dec. 9. Leah and Olivia, ages 4 and 2 respectively, are the daughters of Damian Powell, with the 673d Surgical Operations Squadron, and Tanisha Powell. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Valerie Monroy)

JBER hospital provides free child care

Olivia Powell, 2, plays at the Teddy’s Child Watch care center at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Dec. 9, 2015. Teddy’s Child Watch is a free child care service for children ages six weeks to 12 years old. Olivia is the daughter of Damian Powell, with the 673d Surgical Operations Squadron, and Tanisha Powell. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Valerie Monroy)

JBER hospital provides free child care

Published Dec. 17, 2015
By Airman Valerie Monroy
JBER Public Affairs

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- When doctor appointments pop up, many parents might worry about where to leave their children.

Teddy's Child Watch is a free service provided by the Armed Services YMCA of Alaska that offers a safe place for children to stay while parents are attending a scheduled medical appointment in one of the clinics located in the hospital.

Parents can drop off their children, from ages 6 weeks to 12 years old, 20 minutes prior to their appointment and are allowed two hours of child care service daily. Though the program began in 2004, not many parents know about it.

The program, hosted at several installations, helps alleviate the stress of many parents who have no one available to watch their children when making trips to the hospital, said Danielle Ayala, child watch specialist with Teddy's Child Watch.

"Whether their spouse is gone or just working, they're still able to go to their appointments," Ayala said.

Active duty military are not the only ones who can benefit from Teddy's Child Watch. Veterans and retirees from all services are also welcome.

"Anyone going to an appointment here in the hospital can use the program," Ayala said. Many people here are far away from home and don't have a family network, so it's nice to have this support for the children, Ayala said.

With parents coming in for appointments regularly and bringing their children to the care center, the child care specialists get to know each family personally.

"It's a great program," said Tanisha Powell, wife of Damian Powell with the 673d Surgical Operations Squadron. "[The child care specialists] are amazing."

Teddy's Child Watch recommends making a reservation as soon as an appointment at the clinic is made.

Walk-ins are accepted in case of emergencies or a change in an appointment time, but are based on availability. Teddy's Child Watch cannot accept reservations for appointments at the emergency room, lab, labor and delivery, or surgery.

Those interested in taking advantage of the program must fill out a two-page form and provide shot records if the child is more than one year old.

Teddy's Child Watch is open Monday through Thursday from 7:45 to 3 and Friday from 7:45 to 2, but all children must be picked up a half- hour before closing.

For more information about the program or to make an appointment, call 580-6455.