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#1 -Fidget Spinner Safety
In light of some reported incidents with fidget spinners, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is issuing these safety tips:
- Keep fidget spinners away from children under 3 years of age.
- The plastic and metal spinners have small pieces that can be a choking hazard. Choking incidents involving children up to age 14 have been reported.
- "Light up" fidget spinners may come with button or lithium coin cell batteries which are an ingestion risk for children and can lead to severe burns in the esophagus.
- Warn children of all ages not to put fidget spinners or small pieces in their mouths and not to play with the fidget spinners near their faces.
#2 - Child Care Referrals
We talk to thousands of parents every year looking for child care and after school options for their children. Make sure we have your up-to-date info so we can share a complete referral profile of your program with our callers. You may not be connected to parents if your information is not updated annually and if it is not accurate. Once you submit this form your information will be entered within 2 business days.
Our R&R Administrator will be able to update your information immediately on the phone. Simply call R&R (914) 761-3456 x 140 M
onday through Friday, 9am-5pm.
We have an abundance of paper available for free for your program. Just stop by our office Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, to pick up your share.
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YOUR BUSINESS IS OUR BUSINESS
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In an effort to increase NYS funding for child care, Council staff and Board members visited 18 child care/after school programs in the last few weeks. We spoke to hundreds of parents who eagerly pledged to call the Governor and state leaders in support of child care funding. We sent thousands of post cards to Albany and hundreds of email messages via our Voter Voice Campaign. Thanks to all the programs that participated and those who conducted their own campaigns. We will keep working hard to make child care more affordable for parents and more financially sustainable for the programs.
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Professional Development Opportunities
Don't miss our great trainings scheduled for you this fall.
To see what we have in store,
click the training calendar link:
Spring Highlights
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2018 Training Needs Survey
for Directors, Owners, and Staff
Your Voice Matters!
Every year the Child Care Council of Westchester surveys the training needs of the child care and after school community. Your answers will help us to offer trainings that fit your professional development needs.
There is a survey for each modality & job description!
Click here
to learn more and fill out the correct survey for a chance to win $50!
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Head lice are a common problem that usually affects children in the preschool and elementary school years. children. Each year millions of school-aged children in the United States get head lice. They can attach to the hair of anyone's head. It doesn't matter if the hair is clean or dirty and it doesn't matter how clean, dirty, rich, or poor the place or person is.
Although head lice may be a nuisance, they don't cause serious illness or carry any diseases. Head lice can easily be treated at home, but it's important for parents to check with the child's doctor first.
What are head lice?
Head lice are tiny bugs about the size of a sesame seed. Their bodies are usually pale and gray, but their color may vary. They feed on small amounts of blood from the scalp and can usually live 1 to 2 days without blood meal. Lice lay and attach their eggs to hair close to the scalp. The eggs and their shell casings are called nits. Some nits may blend in with some people's hair color, making them hard to see, and are often confused for dandruff or hair spray droplets. Nits attach to the hair with a stick substance that holds them firmly in place. After the eggs hatch, the empty nits stay on the hair shaft.
What are the signs and symptoms?
- Itching of skin where lice feed on the scalp or neck
- Scratching, especially behind and around the ears or near the nape of the neck
- Nits may be glued to hair, mostly easily seen behind the ears or near the nape of the neck
- Open sores and crusting from secondary bacterial infection.
For information on Frequently Asked Questions and pictures of live from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
click here
For more information on what lice are, who gets them, getting rid of nits, etc,
click here
For information on attendance and rationale from Caring for Our Children,
click here
For information for parents, "Head Lice: What Parents Need to Know", from the American Academy of Pediatrics,
click here
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Win a $100 Gift Card for Completing this Survey!
Click here to complete the 2018 NYS Child Care Parent Survey
Thank you for taking the time to fill out the 2018 NYS Child Care Parent Survey.
Please continue only if you are a Westchester resident who has a child aged 12 or under.
The information we gather will be used to help the NYS child care community serve families better.
Responses are confidential. All survey participants will be entered to win a $100 Visa/Amex gift card- limit on survey per family, please.
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Regulatory Reminder:
Small Toys and Objects 416.5(t)
The following items must be used and stored in such a manner that they are not accessible to children: handbags, backpacks or briefcases belonging to adults; plastic bags; and toys and objects small enough for children to swallow.
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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE COUNCIL
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Click the photo to learn more and register
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Welcome New & Renewed
Child Care Programs!
Renewed
Family Child Care Programs:
Fleetwood Family Daycare
Joyali's Daycare
Welcome New CACFP Participants
Sharon Jakada
Valeris Minier
Tiwana Sutton
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Congratulations to the 14 graduates of the Child Care Council's Spanish Child Development Associate Course. They have successfully completed a 120-hour CDA course in order to apply to the Council for Professional Recognition for the CDA Credential. Because of this intensive professional development experience, these teachers in family child care programs and child care centers now offer the children and their families a higher level of care.
Pictured here are Abel Minier, Ana Jimenez Dominguez, Carmen Minier, Conceptcion Ceja, Damaris Diaz, Diana Hurtado, Esmeralda Alcazar, Gianna Ortega, Helena Carolina Velasquez, Maria Del Rocio Cervantes Ramirez, Maria Elena Conzalez, Olga Lopez, Soranyely Mora de Melendez, and Yoselyn Argueta and their instructor Aniberca Rosario.
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Our Westchester child care community strives hard to make sure quality early care education is "within reach" for our children. We can help children up the first few steps of that famed "ladder" they will climb throughout school and life - the theme of our 2018 Annual Awards Breakfast.
Congratulations to our 2018 Joey Award Winners!
Kim DeSalvo, Ardsley Children's Center
Vicki Forbes, Building Better Beginnings Program (WJCS)
Madeline Freed, All Aboard Childcare
Elizabeth Knowles, Little House Day Care
Join us at our Annual Awards Breakfast on Friday, May 18, 2018 as we recognize honorees for our Joey and Champion for Children awards.
Visits our website for further details.
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A special thanks to The Field Home Library for allowing the Council to host a special storytime. It was a great morning with child care programs, children and families.
Did you know? Westchester County Libraries host story hours and many other interactive activities all month long.
Did you know? The week of April 8th is National Library Week.
Check out your local library monthly calendar to see what's happening.
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Our book drive will kick off on March 15th and run through April 28th.
Each year we collect thousands of new and gently used books for children that are distributed to programs throughout the county.
Help us this year by:
- Donating books
- Helping sort and organize books for delivery
- Reading books to children at a center or after school program
- Publicize the book drive by posting this flyer 2018 Book Drive
- If you would like to be a collection site, contact Jami Flynn at [email protected] or 914-761-3456 ext. 136 or to receive a customized flyer.
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Celebrating Earth Day
We cannot protect something we do not love. We cannot love what we do not know, and we cannot know what we do not see. Or hear. Or sense - Richard Louv
Earth Day is on April 22nd. Every day should be Earth Day, but once a year, we give our planet and the care it needs some special thought and celebrate our love for it.
Children can learn about the earth at every age. When they grow to love the earth, they will naturally want to protect it.
Here are some special activities to celebrate Earth Day this year -
- Play outside
- Take a nature walk
- Plant a seed
- Make a bird feeder
- Use recycling materials for art projects
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All Together Now
When: Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:30am - noon,
Saturdays 11-11:30am
From Monday, April 2nd to Monday, April 30th
Where: Chappaqua Library
Cost: Free
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Graham Clarke
When: Fridays, 10-10:30am
Friday, April 6th to Friday, April 27th
Where: Rye Free Reading Room
Cost: Free
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- Upcoming Events
- NYS Budget Update
- Health Tip
- Annual Awards Breakfast
- 2018 Membership
- Annual Book Drive
- Children's Corner
- Family Fun and more
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Spring 2018 Center Directors Leadership Series
Tuesday, April 10 and May 1
Raise a Glass for the Council: Wine Tasting
Thursday, April 19, 2018
6:00pm-8:00pm
Vino 100
White Plains, New York
2018 Spring Infant Toddler Conference
Saturday, April 28, 2018
8:30am-1:15pm
Peas and Karrots
Ossining, NY
2018 Annual Awards Breakfast
Friday, May 18, 2018
8:00am-10:00am
Westchester Marriott
Tarrytown, New York
50th Anniversary Celebration
Thursday, October 18, 2018
7:00pm-10:00pm
Captain Lawrence Brewery
Elmsford, New York
Council Office Closings
All Day
Monday, May 28, 2018
Early Closing
Friday,
May 25, 2018, 3pm
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A Successful
Reading Marathon!
Our Administration Department spent the last month visiting programs and libraries throughout Westchester County to read to children of all ages and donate books! We had a great time!
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A big shout out to our Board President, Craig Ruoff, and his family for donating hundreds of books to our 2018 Annual Book Drive. The books were collected by Craig's daughter Talia, as a Bat Mitzvah project. Talia has helped the Council at several Awards Breakfasts and other events, proving that people can make a big difference at every age.
Above featured Photo of Talia
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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
[email protected]
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Become a Council Member today!
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
- Early announcements of special programs and opportunities
- Free Notary Public Services
- Free member only networking meetings
- 7.5% off Lakeshore Orders
- Complimentary Council 2018 Calendar
- Participation in our membership referral program
- Exclusive member only annual events
Call (914) 761-3456 or visit
to become a member today
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In May, there are two special days to celebrate the wonderful, skilled individuals who educate and care for young children.
May 8, 2018
Teacher Appreciation Day
May 11, 2018
Provider Appreciation Day
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2018 Professional Development Programs
Starting in April and continuing through to August, Sarah Lawrence College will be offering wonderful Professional Development Programs. To learn more, click here
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Plant a Seed for
Child Care
Quality child care grows our next generation of leaders! Plant a side with us on May 11th.
It's as easy as 1-2-3! See instructions below.
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Financial Assistance for Training is Available
Did you know that CSEA/VOICE will pay for family and group family providers to take training at the Child Care Council of Westchester?
Funding is now available through the CSEA/VOICE Professional Development Program for all NYS registered family, licensed group family and legally exempt child care providers in Westchester County. This is for providers only, and not for center-based staff.
Click here and enter your information and choose the participating training organization where you would like to take the training - hopefully us! Once you are approved by CSEA, you can register for any Council training.
For more information, contact Dana Doyle at (914) 761-3456 x113 or via email at
[email protected]
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Opportunities to Connect With Colleagues!
Regular meetings at the Council for family providers, early childhood directors, and school age directors provide opportunities for you to learn, share resources and support one another. These meetings are also an avenue to increase your knowledge. Each one includes a training that provides a certificate accepted by OCFS.
Providers Network:
This group for registered family and licensed group family providers meets 4 times a year. Elizabeth Knowles of Little House Day Care is the coordinator and can be contacted at 914-967-2707 or
[email protected]
Westchester Early Childhood Directors Association:
The Association meets the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 1:00- 3:00pm. Contact Howard Milbert at Ossining Children's Center at (914) 941-0230 or Dawn Meyerski at Mt. Kisco Child Care Center at (914) 241-2135 or
[email protected] for details.
School Age Directors Network:
The Network meets the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 10:00am-12:00pm. Contact Joanne Saporta at Chappaqua Childrens Workshop at
[email protected] or Lynn Lutomski at Irvington Children's Center at
[email protected] for more details.
The Council is pleased to host these groups. We encourage you to attend their meetings.
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Promote Your Business Here
Many child care providers run alternate businesses. Do you provide another service or sell a product? We would love to hear about it and share with others in the child care community. Let's help build successful businesses together. To share, email Juanita Pope at [email protected]
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April 2nd is
International Children's Book Day
On April 2nd take time to read some of your favorite children's books to your kids! Here are some classics:
- Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
- If You Give A Mouse A Cookie by Laura Numeroff
- The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
- Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola
- The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
- Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems
- We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen
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What's Cooking?
Sloppy Joe
Baked Sweet Potatoes
INGREDIENTS
- 4 medium (7oz each) sweet potatoes, washed and dried.
- 1/2 lb 93%lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1/3 cup chopped carrot
- 1/3 cup chopped onion
- 1/3 cup chopped mushrooms
- 2 tablespoons chopped red bell pepper
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/ 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1/2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 8 oz can tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoons tomato paste
- 1/3 cup of water
- 1 chopped scallion, for garnish
DIRECTIONS
1. Cook the sweet potatoes by poking holes all over with a fork, then cook in microwave 7 to 10 minutes, or slow cooker low 6 to 8 hours or oven 425F about 45 minutes, or until tender.
2. Heat a medium skillet over medium high heat. Add the meat and steak seasoning to the pan and cook, breaking it up into small pieces. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, mushrooms, and red peppers to the skillet. Reduce heat to medium and add red wine vinegar and Worcestershire sauce, cook 4 to 5 minutes. Add tomato sauce, paste, and water to the skillet, stir to combine. Cover and reduce heat to simmer and cook until carrots are tender, about 15 to 20 minutes.
3. To serve, cut sweet potatoes open, sprinkle with a pinch of salt and top each with 1/2 cup of meat and scallion for garnish.
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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Support the Council
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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