JB Myer-Henderson Hall, Cody CDC?

[Anonymous]

Came across this thread. What are the chances of getting a spot for my DC, and infant, due in the first part of the new year? We're on the list, but I think we are Pri 3, since only one of us is currently DoD. After reading this though, I'm wondering if it is even worth it? Have things improved?

[Anonymous]

Definitely put yourself on the waiting list ASAP. We were also low priority and got a spot in about 11 months. We were at the center for almost three years and had an excellent experience.

[Anonymous]

I'm already on the list - they told me there might be a spot about 6 months after DC is born, but by then, we'll have something arranged. Is it worth it to move the kid then just to save the money?

[Anonymous]

I think things have improved...we've been using this center for the past 6 years. Our youngest moved into the center last March at 7-months-old. We moved her from the off-post center she was in since 10-weeks old for a few reasons:
1. convenience of having baby at the same place as older sibling (eliminating one of our drop off sites...we were taking 3 kids to 3 different places)
2. once offered the spot a Cody we no longer qualified for the Army child care subsidy for off-post care.
3. Our other two children thrived in this center. Despite all we have received nothing but excellent care at Cody. None of our children were in the care of any of the caregivers who were removed for abuse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm already on the list - they told me there might be a spot about 6 months after DC is born, but by then, we'll have something arranged. Is it worth it to move the kid then just to save the money?

For us, it was totally worth the move. Not only did we save money, but the staffing was so much better than the Bright Horizons center we were in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is super cheap daycare a benefit you are promised when you enlist? Just curious.

Its not, but its an argument that is brought up over and over. The absolute lowest BAH in this area with dependents is over $2000, that's tax free money on top of salary. There are options. People can afford them. Its not just the officers. And it bears mentioning that becoming an officer is an option to anyone that gets a degree (which the military will pay for...).

All army CDC's are under investigation for hiring practices. The issue is not fixed. Also there are financial assistance options for those seeking daycare off post. There are MANY options. Many.

Wow, you are a piece of work. Seriously. $2000 is not enough for this area for decent housing close in with child care options on top of it.

I just looked up the enlisted pay chart and an E5 with 8 years in makes $35,000 a year. Wow. That is just BIG money with that whole $2000 a month BAH. Meanwhile an O4 with 8 years in makes $74,052 a year. So yes, that officer has a LOT more options PLUS he is getting close to $3000 a month in housing allowance.

I know lots of enlisted that have worked for their degrees but are not being put into OCS because the military doesn't want to lose their enlisted. It is a rarity for someone to back a soldier so that he/she can become an officer.

I imagine that you are some officer's wife that is completely out of touch or an an O4/O5 that doesn't know any better because you are on the side that CAN afford to have options. If the military makes you move to DC but doesn't give you enough to adequately care for your family you do not have a lot of options.

WOW! This and the entitlement that it oozes are part of the reason that I do not want my child at on base child care. If you act like certain children shouldn’t be there, I am sure that the attitude will find its way to your children. The waitlist prioritizes based on marital status (single primary caregivers are highest pri, followed by dual military parents, then one military one non military), then rank (meaning the less you make the higher priority you are given). Not to mention that these officers and senior enlisted subsidize the junior enlisted by paying a higher tuition, and not every one of them had their degree paid for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is super cheap daycare a benefit you are promised when you enlist? Just curious.

Its not, but its an argument that is brought up over and over. The absolute lowest BAH in this area with dependents is over $2000, that's tax free money on top of salary. There are options. People can afford them. Its not just the officers. And it bears mentioning that becoming an officer is an option to anyone that gets a degree (which the military will pay for...).

All army CDC's are under investigation for hiring practices. The issue is not fixed. Also there are financial assistance options for those seeking daycare off post. There are MANY options. Many.

Wow, you are a piece of work. Seriously. $2000 is not enough for this area for decent housing close in with child care options on top of it.

I just looked up the enlisted pay chart and an E5 with 8 years in makes $35,000 a year. Wow. That is just BIG money with that whole $2000 a month BAH. Meanwhile an O4 with 8 years in makes $74,052 a year. So yes, that officer has a LOT more options PLUS he is getting close to $3000 a month in housing allowance.

I know lots of enlisted that have worked for their degrees but are not being put into OCS because the military doesn't want to lose their enlisted. It is a rarity for someone to back a soldier so that he/she can become an officer.

I imagine that you are some officer's wife that is completely out of touch or an an O4/O5 that doesn't know any better because you are on the side that CAN afford to have options. If the military makes you move to DC but doesn't give you enough to adequately care for your family you do not have a lot of options.

WOW! This and the entitlement that it oozes are part of the reason that I do not want my child at on base child care. If you act like certain children shouldn’t be there, I am sure that the attitude will find its way to your children. The waitlist prioritizes based on marital status (single primary caregivers are highest pri, followed by dual military parents, then one military one non military), then rank (meaning the less you make the higher priority you are given). Not to mention that these officers and senior enlisted subsidize the junior enlisted by paying a higher tuition, and not every one of them had their degree paid for.

Actually, I think you have the criteria for priority incorrect. At least at the JBMHH CDC there are two waitlists: one for those assigned to JBMHH and than those assigned to the Washington Headquarters Service (mainly, the Pentagon). Approx half the slots are for children of WHS employees and military personnel and the other half are for the children of JBMHH military and civilian personnel. Within those list I believe priority is given to active duty single parents followed by dual military families...regardless of rank. Once upon a time you used to get priority if you already had a child in the center but that is no longer a consideration.

[Anonymous]

Any recent feedback re Cody CDC? DH says that the abuse issues are a thing of the past and that he thinks this place seems great (and it does, from the tour).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any recent feedback re Cody CDC? DH says that the abuse issues are a thing of the past and that he thinks this place seems great (and it does, from the tour).

I have friends and co-workers with kids there and I'm on the waitlist for the fall. Everyone has been very happy with them. The only challenge is the waitlist - there are more people on the list than there are physical spots at the center. If you've already gotten in, congrats on beating the odds!