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#1
New Fire/Safety Checklist for School Aged Child Care Programs
OCFS recently streamlined the school-age child care director's monthly fire and safety checklist (OCFS-6035)
to make it easier to use. Form OCFS-6035 may be used by directors to document required monthly inspections of the premises and to observe possible fire or safety hazards. The revisions clarify the inspection focus and feature a field that indicates that certain equipment or system inspections are performed by a third party. This checklist can be shared with your public school principal to initiate communication when building deficiencies are noted.
Click Here
for the
OCFS-6035 form.
#2 Your Vote Matters
Express yourself at the ballot box on Tuesday, November 8th. Polls are open from 6 am to 9 pm. At the Council we are promoting voting by giving staff an extra hour off to get to the polls. Please do whatever you can to see that all of us in child care - staff and parents - take part in this important election.
Regulation Clarification:
Election Day - Staying Open Past
Usual Closing Time
OCFS has confirmed that all programs may remain open past their usual closing time to allow parents to vote before picking up their children. Reach out to your licensor or registrar and let him/her know you will be open and until what time.
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YOUR BUSINESS IS OUR BUSINESS
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Come Out and Support
Child Care $$$$
2017
Westchester County
Public Budget Hearings
Many Westchester parents are only able to work because they receive help paying for child care from the Child Care Subsidy Program run by Westchester DSS. Let your County legislators know that this child care funding is critically important at the up-coming hearings:
Tuesday, November 22nd
New Rochelle City Hall Chamber
515 North Ave, New Rochelle
Wednesday, November 30th
H.C. Crittenden Middle School
10 Macdonald Avenue, Armonk
Wednesday, December 7th
Board of Legislators Chambers
148 Martine Ave, White Plains
All hearings start at 7 pm. If you want to speak, sign-ups usually start shortly after 6 pm, in the order in which they sign up.
We'll be there, fighting for child care!
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Professional Development Opportunities
Kick off the Fall with our training! Our new
Fall Training Calendar offers a variety of trainings for early care and education professionals. We can help you expand your skills, improve the quality of care you provide to children, and meet NYS licensing requirements.
Take a peek at what's in store for you and your staff this fall:
- Basic Spanish for Communicating with Children and Families
- A Curious Classroom: Encouraging and Supporting Children's Curiosity
- "Solving the Puzzle" Seven Helpful Strategies for Working with Children on the Autism Spectrum
- Social Studies for Preschoolers: Me & My World
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"2016-2017 Influenza
It's That Time of Year - Is Your Program Prepared?"
Influenza is a contagious disease that easily spreads every winter, usually between October and May. It can cause mild to severe illness that may result in hospitalizations and at times even death.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year an average of more than 20,000 children under the age of 5 are hospitalized because of influenza complications. Severe complications are most common in children younger than 2 years old.
To learn how the flu spreads, click here:
To learn more about Influenza symptoms and complications, click here:
The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older.
To learn more about the 2016 - 2017 guidelines for flu vaccination, click here:
Feel free to call Elissa Guzzardi if you have any questions at 914-761-3456 ext. 154.
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Regulation Reminder: 417.7(j) Approved sleeping surfaces
Children may not sleep or nap in car seats, baby swings, strollers, infant seats or bouncy seats. Should a child fall asleep in one of these devices, he or she must be moved to a crib/cot or other approved sleeping surface.
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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE COUNCIL
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Family Tech Day
On Sunday, October 16th, the Council partnered with the Digital Arts Experience (The DAE) for the 3rd Annual Family Tech Day in White Plains, NY. It was a great Halloween-inspired afternoon where kids and adults alike enjoyed many different activities from Legos to Minecraft and 3D printing.
Thank you again to our Sponsors!
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2016 Annual Toy Drive
Share the spirit of the holidays by joining our annual toy drive. There are many ways you may help:
*Donate an unwrapped toy
*Join us in the community to help encourage holiday shoppers to donate a toy
*Help us sort toys with the Toys for Tots volunteers
*Share the below flyer with friends, family etc.
No Time to Shop?
Visit our online wish list on amazon!
For more information contact Juanita Pope at
[email protected] or call her at (914)761-3456 ext. 106
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#GivingTuesday
We're in!
We are pleased to once again participate in
#GivingTuesday, an international campaign that harnesses the power of social media to create a charitable day of giving each year. Following Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday is on November 29th 2016.
In 2015, we raised $14,000 IN ONE DAY for early care/education scholarships! We're hopeful you can be as generous as possible this year, digging deep to help us raise money to support brain growth in young children. Details about our exciting new "Brain-Building" campaign soon!
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Westchester Toyota 21st Give Back Campaign and voting is now live!
Please click the link below to visit Westchester
Toyota's Facebook page to vote for us as favorite charity. Help us spread the word and have your friends and family vote too!
Your votes will help us win funds, supporting our efforts to make sure children in Westchester have access to quality early care.
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Welcome
New and Renewed Child Care Programs:
New
Family Day Care:
Little Caterpillars Family Day Care
Gordons Garden
School Aged Child Care:
The Country Children's Center
The Childrens Club
Renewed
Family Day Care:
Dinita Blount
School Aged Child Care:
Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle (3 programs)
Baldeo INC.
Welcome to CACFP:
Grace Scamarone
Elusina Ventura
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Congratulations to Our CDA Course Students Who Earned the CDA Credential!
Congratulations to these early childhood professionals who completed a Council CDA course or created the required Professional Portfolio and then went on to receive the Child Development Associate credential from the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington, DC.
These early childhood educators have worked hard to improve their skills and knowledge of working with young children. The children in their care, their parents, and their programs are very fortunate to have such dedicated professionals working with them.
Congratulations to students in -
- The Council's In-person Infant Toddler/Family Child Care Babies Step Forward CDA class
- The Council's In-Person Preschool CDA Class
- Charlotte Anthony
- Sonia Dechent
- Pushba Jagoda
- TJ Meyerski
To find out more about the CDA credential or for information about the Council's CDA classes, please contact Idie Benjamin, Director, Professional Development, at [email protected].
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NAEYC Families
Anti-Bias Education:
Thanksgiving
Many early childhood educators have questions about how to approach the holidays.
Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves
offers useful info and tools for teachers as you consider the specific families in your program. The following is an excerpt from "Learning About Holidays & Fairness":
"Although Thanksgiving is a holiday widely celebrated by people in the United States, including new immigrants, it is not embraced by all. While many families use it to express thankfulness for family and for their current lives, Thanksgiving does raise challenging issues. Its story and traditions largely reflect the perspective of the European colonists, not the indigenous people who had been living on the continent for many thousands of years already. And while the holiday honors the social struggle of a group who immigrated in search of a better life and religious freedom, it does not recognize what the cost was to the Native Americans they displaced.
"
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Storytime: Read with Rabbit
at Scattered Books
Meet Acorn the Bunny and enjoy story time in the kids area every Tuesday from 11am- 12pm at Scattered Books Book Store 29 King St.,
Chappaqua, NY, 10514.
For more info please call 914-529-8013.
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Weekend Walk at Greenburgh Nature Center
Teaching Trails: Weekend Walks for All Ages. This guided trail experience is generously supported by Con Edison. The Nature Center's specially trained "Trail Ninja" volunteers provide information on trees, plants, wildlife and seasonal changes. Conversation varies each time. Program runs approximately 45 minutes. FREE!
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- Upcoming Events
- Getting Out the Vote
- 2017 County Budget Hearings
- 2016 Toy Drive
- Nominate great child care/after school staff
- New programs in the child care community
- 2017 Membership is Open
- Influenza Preparation
- Fall Training Calendar
- Support the Council with Giving Tuesday
- Free Nature Walks
- and more
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Member Brunch and Instructor Led Paint Class
Sunday, November 13, 2016
11:00am-1:00pm
Child Care Council Office
Fall Infant Toddler Conference
Friday, November 18, 2016
8:30am-12:00pm
St. Gregory the Great's Early Child Care Center
Harrison, NY
2017 Annual Awards Breakfast
Friday, May 19, 2017
8:00am-10:00am
Westchester Marriott
Tarrytown, NY
Council Office Closings
All day
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Thursday, November 24, 2016
Friday, November 25, 2016
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Patricia Chraibi,
Resource & Referral Database Administrator
The Council welcomes Patricia, our new Resource & Referral Database Administrator. Patricia is here to help you update your profile on the referral database. A current provider profile helps your business! Call her at (914)761-3456 ext. 117 or email her at: [email protected]
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Cynthia Miller, Babies Step Forward Specialist
The Council decided to wear PINK to support Breast Cancer Awareness month. We stand up together for family and friends that may have lost a loved one too soon and for those still fighting.
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We're Looking for a Few Good Women & Men
Come to work at the Child Care Council and make a difference in the life of a child. We currently have the following openings:
For more information contact Juanita Pope at 914-761-3456 ext. 106 or email at
[email protected]
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Take Advantage of the Early Bird Membership Perks!!!
Become a 2017 member by November 30th and receive a training voucher.
Benefits Include:
- Valuable discounts on workshops, on-site training and conferences
- Listing on our website, including a link to your website
- Free postings on the Council's job bank
- Membership certificate for your site
- Printed Council Training Calendar
- Free access to the Council's Children's Resource Corner
- Early announcements of special programs and opportunities
- Free Notary Public Services
- Invitation to attend free member only networking meetings
- Complimentary Council 2016 Calendar
- Participation in our membership referral program
- Invitation to attend exclusive member only annual events
Call (914) 761-3456 or visit
to become a member today
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Nominate Great Child Care/Afterschool Staff
Recognize a child care provider by nominating them for a "Joey Award" via the nomination form below:
Above photo of our 2014 Joey Award Winner, Susan Matos, Imagination Family Daycare
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What's Deductible
During Fall Cleanup?
Tom Copeland is the nation's leading expert on the business of family child care. Read valuable resources by visiting the below website. In October, Tom helps providers increase revenue by deducting fall expenses.
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The Westchester County Health Department is offering free flu shots in clinics in Valhalla and White Plains. Click the link below to learn more.
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Purchase or donate gently used item at Once Upon a Child, 455 Central Park Ave, Scardale, NY 10583.
Each Once Upon A Child location is individually owned and operated. Whether you're buying or selling the staff are eager to assist you.
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Special Days in November
November 15th is America's Recycle Day. Use this day to share the importance of recycling and to increase recycling. We encourage you to look around your home and work to identify ways you can recycle. Teaching children how to recycle is one of the best ways to ensure that there will be a healthy planet for future generations to teach little ones.
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What's Cooking?
One-Eyed Jack
1 slice
Whole-wheat or multigrain bread
1 large egg
2 teaspoons olive oil
Salt and black pepper
Instructions
Wash your hands with soap and water, then gather all your kitchen gear and ingredients and put them on a clean counter.
Use the open mouth of the glass to cut a hole out of the center of the slice of bread. Set aside the bread frame and the cutout circle of bread.
Crack the egg into the bowl gently, being careful not to break the yolk.
Put the pan on the stove and turn the heat to medium. When the pan is hot (flick some water on-it should dance and evaporate immediately), add the oil, then lay the bread frame into it carefully. Gently pour the egg into the hole, and season the egg with a pinch of salt and pepper. (If you like, you can also fry the cutout circle of bread alongside.) Cook the bread frame until it has browned underneath and the egg in the hole has started to set, about 2 minutes, then carefully flip the whole thing. Cook the other side until the egg yolk until firm about a minute longer. (If you're frying the cutout, flip that too.) Eat right away.
Notes
Instead of using bread, cook the egg inside a ring of bell pepper made by cutting across the pepper. It will look like a beautiful flower, and give you lots of vitamins too!
Enjoy!
For more information on receiving reimbursements for meals and snacks contact Lindsay Tiernan at 914-761-3456 ext. 115 or email Lindsay at
[email protected]
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Share Your News and Ideas
What's happening in your program? We want to know! You are invited to send submissions to our monthly provider newsletter, including articles, ideas, events, family friendly activities, nutritious recipes etc.
If you would like to contribute contact Juanita Pope at 914-761-3456 ext. 106 or email her at
[email protected]
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Support the Council
There are so many easy ways to help!
Did you know TD Bank has an affinity program?
TD will make an annual contribution to the Council based on the activity of all participating members' TD accounts. If you are already a customer, or wish to open an account, visit any of their locations and ask to be included in the affinity program to benefit the Council.
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Support the Council while you shop!
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