Programs & Services in Niederheid/Geilenkirchen

Child Development Center (CDC)

USAG Schinnen CYSS
JFC Brunssum, Building H-602

Parent Central Services 0031-(0)-45-526-3121 or 2023
Childcare for ages 6 weeks to 6 years

Programs: Monday - Friday

• Full Time – 7:00am-6:00pm, for all age groups
• Part Day Preschool – 9:00am-12:00pm, ages 3-6
• Strong Beginnings – 8:30am-11:30am, age 4 by Sept 1  
• Hourly/Drop-In care – Once children are fully registered with CYSS, you can request hourly childcare for your child. Hourly slots are filled depending on space available at the centre. 

This program is open to all families of NATO participating nations based on a priority list.  The cost varies depending on household income. In order to register or have your child’s name put on the wait list, please call the Parent Central Services office at 0031-(0)-45-526-3121 or 2023.

Sunbeams

British preschool located at AFNORTH International School, Brunssum

British/Canadian Office 0031-(0)-45-527-8241
Program: Monday – Friday, 9:00am - 12:00pm

Canadian children of parents posted in Niederheid, DE or Brunssum, NL are entitled to attend the Sunbeams program with no fees. There are three intake periods for the program, August, January, and April. Children are eligible to begin at Sunbeams the school term after their third birthday. For more information please call 0031-(0)-45-527-8241.

Local German or Dutch Kindergartens

Canadians may choose to send their children to the local German or Dutch Kindergarten in the area they will be living; this is done through their local town hall.  Many German and Dutch childcare or kindergartens do not take children under the age of 3 yrs.
 
Private Childcare

The MFSE maintains a list of youth community members interested in providing childcare privately in their homes or in the client’s home.  Please ask us and we can provide you with the contact list.  It is the responsibility of the parent to contact and negotiate terms with the childcare provider.
 
Childcare Co-operative

Not working or working part-time?  You may want to consider forming a Childcare Co-op with other parents of young children in the community.  This involves parents taking turns looking after each other’s children in a variety of ways.  The MFSE is willing to help facilitate the formation of a childcare co-op if there is an interest and a need for assistance.

TAPS: Tots And Parent Sessions

Military Family Services Europe,
Building B11,
Selfkant Kaserne

MFSE Front Desk 0049-(0)-2451-717500
Program: Tuesdays, 9:30am-11:30am
  
This program is a playgroup for parents and babies/toddlers up to 4 years, with special craft activities for holidays. The TAPS group meets on Tuesday mornings from August through June, except on days the AFNorth School is closed. For more information, please contact the MFSE at 0049-(0)-2451-717-500.
 
Mama Hawcs

NATO Air Base, Building 298,
Multipurpose Room

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/405628219483385
Program: Monday, Wednesday, & Friday, 9:00am-11:00am
 
Mama Hawcs is a play group for little ones and a means of working out and stress relief for parents all in one. They work out in one hour increments and take shifts with the kids. You can work out in the facilities or make use of the trails and tracks around GK. For more information please see their Facebook page.

NATO Tri-Border Playgroup

Brunssum West Chapel,
JFC Brunssum

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GKJFCplaygroup
Program: Thursdays, 10:00am – 11:30am
 
This is a parent lead playgroup open to all NATO ID holders with children from birth to pre-school age, designed for parents and children to socialize and make new friends. For more information please see their Facebook page.

International Youth Activities (IYA)

NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Building 95
IYA Office 0049-(0)-2451-63-4955

Programs:

• After School Care – Monday-Friday until 5:45 pm, ages 5 and up
• School Closures & Breaks – 7:45am-5:45pm, ages 5 and up
• Various seasonal sports, classes and day trips 

Children of all nationalities may attend the IYA childcare, activities or daytrips and discounts may be available for families with 3 or more children.  For more information please call 0049-(0)-2451-63-4955.
 
School Age Center

USAG Schinnen CYSS
JFC Brunssum, Building H-501
Parent Central Services 0031-(0)-45-526-3121 or 2023

Programs:  Monday to Friday

• Before & After School Care –Monday-Friday, 7:00am-9:00am and 3:30pm-6:00pm, Grades 1-5.
• School Closures & Breaks – 7:00am-6:00pm, Grades 1-5
• Summer Camp is available on a weekly basis. Usually 2 or 3 field trips are planned for each week.
• Hourly/Drop-In Care – once children are fully registered with CYSS, you can request hourly childcare. Hourly slots are filled depending on space available at the centre. Children not registered in before or after school care are allowed up to 4 hours of FREE hourly care per month. 

The School Age Center is open to all NATO ID card holder families.  Spots are available according to a priority list and cost is determined by family income.  For more information or to register your child call the Parent Central Services office at 0031-(0)-45-526-3121 or 2023.
 
Summer Camp

Our centre currently does not offer a full time summer camp program for school aged children. However, full time summer camp is available through Child, Youth, and School Services (CYSS) at JFC Brunssum, or International Youth Activities (IYA) at NATO Airbase Geilenkirchen. It is important to note that while full time school at AFNorth International School begins at age 4, these summer camps do not, with CYSS being open to children who have completed the first grade (AFNorth level IY3), and IYA being open to children ages 5 and up. 

Youth Center

USAG Schinnen CYSS
JFC Brunssum, Building H-602,
Parent Central Services 0031-(0)-45-526-3121 or 2023

Programs: 

• After school drop in – Monday-Friday, 3:30pm-6:00pm, Grades 6-12. Use of the center is free and offers snack with fully equipped kitchen, craft room, games room, music room, computer & technology lab, gym, and outdoor skateboard area
• School Closures – 1:00pm – 6:00pm; similar program with possible outings 

Parents of youth wishing to use the drop-in program at the Youth Center must register their youth ahead of time.  Youth are responsible for signing themselves in and out of the center.  For more information please call Parent Central services at 0031-(0)-45-526-3121.

Medical Clinic	0049-2451-717-300 (automated service)
Medical Clinic	0049-2451-717-301 (Reception)
Pharmacy	0049-2451-717-308
Dental Clinic	0049-2451-717-331
Social Worker	0049-2451-717-309
MFS(E)	0049-2451-717-500

Most often, families will access care on the Selfkant-Kaserne, Niederheid base where there is a fully staffed Canadian military clinic.  Therefore, the standard of care is excellent.  There are two physicians, one PA, a med-tech and nurses on staff.  The Social Worker for Europe is also based in Niederheid. German health-care is also of a very high quality, although they don’t subscribe to our North American sense of modesty or privacy. You will rarely be provided with a gown when asked to undress for treatment.

Niederheid Medical Services
While the medical clinic has sick-parade, it is advised that you make an appointment when possible so that proper time and attention can be given to your concerns.  Care is provided in both English and French.
 
Emergency Care
There is a hospital close by in Geilenkirchen for emergencies.  A hospital with a specialized pediatric unit can be found in Monchengladbach about 30 minutes away.

Medical services for military dependents provided in the Canadian clinic are billed directly to the members’ plan. Sponsored civilians and their family members will be billed directly and expected to submit for reimbursement through their own plan.  The on-site pharmacy requires cash payments for sponsored civilians and their family members and they will provide receipts for submission to insurance companies. Military members and their dependants have the additional option of payroll deduction for pharmacy charges. When accessing medical services on the economy it is very common for the provider to send a bill to your home at a future date and it is imperative that you pay it at the bank upon receipt.

The Canadian medical clinic has a military pharmacist with a well-stocked supply of Canadian prescription and over-the-counter medications.  It is advisable to meet with the pharmacist on your HHT to ensure she has or can obtain any regular medications you require.  

When the pharmacist is on TD or on leave, you may use a local pharmacy called an Apotheke.  This is where you will also find over-the-counter medications as they are not sold in grocery stores or what we would consider to be a drug store in Canada where cosmetics and personal care items could also be found.

There is a Canadian military dental clinic co-located with medical. Dependants and eligible civilians may obtain treatment on a space available basis. They offer basic dental care and prevention, but will not do cosmetic or orthodontic work.  These services are readily available on the economy.

The Canadian military clinic refers to local specialists and health care providers such as gynecologists, urologists, radiologists, cardiologists, physiotherapists, etc.  They have a strong referral network to a number of English speaking physicians. Wait times are often quite short in comparison to Canada.

Whether this is your first baby or not, having a baby in Europe can be a new experience for you. MFS(E) has prepared an information package that is to be a starting point for expectant parents in Germany & The Netherlands.