European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - January 9, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Magazine care editor s note staff writer Deedee Arrington Doke spent months researching military child care in Europe. The stars and stripes today begins a five Day series that examines the subject in All its aspects. By Deedee Arrington Doke staff writer i music teacher Jennifer Thompson leads a group of preschoolers in a Lively round of song at the children s Center in Berlin. Is Lynda w. Sparks never ending search military parents dilemma t s the Issue of the late 1980s. President elect George Bush s proposal for improving its availability and accessibility was a Cornerstone of his Campaign to win women s votes. Congress wonders to what extent it should be concerned with the Issue. And it s a family support programs Issue that experts believe plays a key role in whether . Soldiers airmen and sailors sign up for More Tours in the service of their country. Child care. In . Military communities in Europe about 26,000 children Are enrolled in army child development centers and family Day care Homes. About 8,000 Are enrolled in air Force operated centers and family Day care Homes. In the Navy s child care centers in Europe 400 children Are enrolled while 175 children receive Day care in family Day care Homes. Child care has become a growth Industry in the services since the Early 1980s because military officials have recognized a link Between their forces readiness and family support. I happen to be one of those people who think readiness begins with the army s people. We will not keep Good qualified people unless we support the Soldier and his or her family with a reasonable Quality of life said Brig. Gen. Evelyn p. Foote Deputy inspector general in the army s office of the inspector general during a recent visit to Europe. Child care facilities Foote went on to say Are not a frill. They Are not a nicety. They Are a necessity and they Are a command responsibility. And if everything goes to Heck in a Han Basket at a child care Center you can usually go right Back and find it has not had command  but the military s child care Industry still is experiencing growing pains. One disadvantage faced by military provided child care programs is that they must be All things to All people. Among the issues debated by Congress military officials care providers and parents alike Are Cost availability Quality of care Quality of staff does the military have a right to regulate who takes care of a child one thing is sure there Aren t enough child care facilities. About 6,600 children Are on waiting lists to enrol in army run child care centers in Europe alone. Few a military communities face As great a need As Hanau West Germany. About 600 children Are on the waiting list for openings in Hanau s six child care centers the newest having opened its doors in jul continued on monday january 1989 the stars and stripes