#1 - Election Day is November 5th
V
oting matters. Make your vote count. Polls are open from 6am to 9pm. Here at the Council, we give everyone time off to get to the polls because we believe voting is important. So please get there!
#2 - Fingerprint Waiver Process
U
pon implementation, fingerprint-imaging results will no longer be able to be "waived" to a new program until the individual completes the comprehensive background clearance requirement process. (A new SCR and SEL must also be completed.)
#3 - We Said Yes- Do You?
"I believe equitable access to the life-altering experience of quality early learning will have a transformative impact on children, families and our community. I support increased investment from government, business and philanthropy to make this a reality."
If you agree with the above statement, click the link to add your name to our I Say Yes Campaign. Let's show our elected, business and community leaders that high quality early learning is a priority!
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YOUR BUSINESS IS OUR BUSINESS
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Fighting for a Better Child Care System
Parents all over the U.S. pay as much for child care as they do housing, sometimes more.
Safe, learning-based child care is priced out of the reach of many families, while those who work in the field are among the most poorly paid of any profession.
The US and the High Price of Child Care, just released by Child Care Aware of America, Inc., describes what we have as a "broken system". We agree. To see the report,
Click Here!
Fortunately, Westchester County's "child care system" is better than most. We have informed and supportive leadership on child care in the Administration and the Board of Legislators. But there's still more to do!
Our "asks" for the 2020 Westchester County budget:
(1) 10% increase in reimbursement rates to providers
(2) 2% reduction in the parent share
(3) 20 new Title XX subsidy slots
Come out to the Public Budget Hearings and speak up for child care in the 2020 Westchester County Budget:
- Tuesday, November 19th, Doles Recreation Center Theater, 250 S. 6th Avenue, Mount Vernon
- Tuesday, November 26th, Cortlandt Town Hall, 1 Heady Street, Cortlandt
- Wednesday, December 4th, Board of Legislators Chambers, 148 Martine Ave, 8th Floor, White Plains.
All hearings start at 7pm. Sign-ups to speak begin at 6:15pm.
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Health Tip: Get Ready for Seasonal Flu
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 can lead to death.
Why should we worry about the Flu?
Influenza Complications in Children:
- Primary Influenza Pneumonia
- Ear infections, croup, Bronchiolitis, pneumonia
- Secondary Infections
- Myositis (inflammation in the muscles), Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart)
- Seizures (including febrile seizures), Encephalopathy (brain disease or brain damage), Post-infectious encephalitis (inflammation of the brain tissue)
- Exacerbation of Asthma or heart Disease
- Death
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year an average of more than 20,000 children under 5 are hospitalized because of influenza complications.
- Severe complications are most common in children under 2 years
- There were 187 Pediatric Influenza deaths in 2017 - 2018
- 50% of hospitalized children had no previous medical conditions
- More than 57% died after admission to the hospital
- 78% were not vaccinated
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Professional Development
Fall Training Calendar
September-December 2019
Don't miss our great fall trainings, and sign up for these upcoming sessions:
- Medication Administration Training (MAT) (November 2)
- New Training: Lions & Tigers & Toddlers (November 6)
- SUNY Health and Safety Training (November 9 & 16)
Click here
to view our 2019 Fall Training Calendar.
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Regulations Reminder: 417.15(a)(10) Childcare Provider Requirements
No registration will be issued unless the registrant is in full compliance with the regulations of the Office and all other applicable laws and regulations except where a waiver of one or more requirements of this Part has been approved in writing by the Office in accordance with section 413.6 of this Article.
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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE COUNCIL
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2019 Dream Big Highlights: Celebrating Those Who Lead for Children
Thursday, October 3rd was a night
to celebrate! We welcomed over 200 guests to the Whitby Castle for networking, a dramatic video laying out the powerful impact of high quality early learning, and inspirational remarks from County Executive George Latimer, Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and our honorees:
Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, Children's Advocacy Award; Judge Kathie E. Davidson,
Children's Justice Award; PepsiCo, accepted by Erik Sossa,
Business Visionary Award; and Shake Shack, accepted by Will Poppe,
Give Local Leadership Award.
In addition to raising needed dollars to support the Council's Key to the Future child care scholarships and other programs, we were thrilled to learn that the
Council will be the nonprofit partner at the up-coming Shake Shack location at The Westchester.
Catch our Dream Big video featuring Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden, Executive Director of the Westchester County Youth Bureau; Dr. Emily Koelsch, Boston Children's Health Physicians; Dr. Joseph Ricca, Superintendent, White Plains Public Schools; and Craig Ruoff, President of the Council Board of Directors.
View more Dream Big photos here.
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2019 Fall Early Childhood Conference "Prescription for Play"
Thanks to all the early childhood educators who came out on Friday, Oct 18th for our "Prescription for Play" Early Childhood Conference - great location, inspiring presenters, and most importantly, a room full of smart, caring professionals busy launching our next generation. It would not have been possible without the support of the
Westchester County
Office for Women and the partnership of the Westchester Chapter of the NY Association for the Education of Young Children. A great day!
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Annual Toy Drive
We are excited to partner with Toy for Tots again this year to bring joy to children for the holiday season. Join us by donating a new, unwrapped toy for children 12 years old and under.
When: Nov 1- Dec 16
Drop Off Location: Child Care Council of Westchester, 313 Central Park Avenue, Scarsdale, NY 10583, 9am-5pm
Gift Suggestions: Dolls, tea sets, cars, puzzles, board games and building toys
No time to shop?
Visit our online wish list on Amazon!
For more information contact Juanita Pope at [email protected] or call (914)761-3456 ext. 106
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Welcome New & Renewed
Child Care Programs!
Little Clovers Family Daycare, LLC
Happy Times Day Care LLC
Little Friends Daycare 2
Tiny Hands Daycare
Club Fit Jefferson Valley
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Ideas For Thoughtful Thanksgiving Learning
Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday. Families and friends from near and far gather for a feast of our favorite holiday dishes. We take time to think about the things in our lives for which we are thankful.
However, November can be a month where children of all ages are kept very busy doing all kinds of projects that do not teach anything meaningful about the holiday. In addition, often, Thanksgiving projects give children "disrespectful and stereotypical messages about Native Americans." (NAEYC - "Anti-Bias Thanksgiving").
If Thanksgiving is not about gluing feathers on paper turkeys (which may not have been on the menu of the first Thanksgiving) and learning stereotypes about native peoples then what should the focus of an appropriate Thanksgiving curriculum be? To see some great alternatives,
Click here
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Teaching Trails: Weekend Walks
for All Ages
This is a guided trail experience through the woodland forest. Join the community path for environmental education with specially-trained "Trail Ninja" volunteers who provide information on trees, plants, wildlife, and seasonal changes. Topics vary each week.
When
: Every Saturday in November at 11:30am
Where: Greenburgh Nature Center
99 Dromore Road, Scarsdale, NY
Cost: Free
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2019 Dream Big Highlights
- 2019 Fall Conference Success
- Member Mixer
- Annual Toy Drive
- 2020 Membership is Underway
- Children's Corner
- What's Cooking
- Family Fun and more
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Child Care Council of Westchester
313 Central Park Ave, Suite 4
Scarsdale, NY 10583
November 8, 2019
Early Education Hall of Heroes
Mercy College
555 Broadway
Dobbs Ferry, NY
June 5, 2020
Nominations for Heroes will open in early January.
Council Office Closings
Thursday, November 28, 2019
Friday, November 29, 2019
December 25, 2019
January 1, 2020
Early Closings
(office closes at 3pm)
November 27, 2019
December 24, 2019
December 31, 2019
(office closes at 12pm)
December 20, 2019
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COUNCIL FACES
"Our newly-elected Board Members"
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Welcome, Christie Noelle Krase!
We are excited to welcome Christie Noelle Krase to our Board of Directors. Christie has significant experience and expertise in education and early learning. She will assist in and contribute to all our efforts to support children and families.
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We are thrilled to welcome Modupe Otelaja from IBM to our Board of Directors. She is committed to supporting the work of the Council. We look forward to working with her.
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Join our 2020 Membership!
Benefits Include:
- Membership Certificate to post at your site
- Discounted calendar trainings and on-site trainings
- Listing on your website with a link to yours
- Free postings on the Council's job bank
- Free Members Only networking events
- Lakeshore Learning coupon and discount
- Printed Council Training Calendars
- Free promotional gift
- Refer a friend and receive voucher for a free training
Online Registration will open on November 1st
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Member Appreciation Event
We
appreciate our members! Join us on Friday, November 8 at our office for an evening filled with
mocktails, appetizers, and networking. We hope to see you there.
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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 with a certificate accepted by OCFS.
Providers Network:
This group for registered family and licensed group family providers meets 4 times a year. For information about the network, contact Sarah Merrifield, CCCW Infant Toddler Specialist at
[email protected] or (914)-761-3456 ext. 107.
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:
Join the network today!
Please note the networking groups do not meet in August.
The Council is pleased to host these groups. We encourage you to attend their meetings.
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Westchester Loves
to Read
County Executive George Latimer has announced a new program to encourage early reading - Westchester Loves to Read. Encourage your children to read 300 minutes over the next few months (Oct to April) and complete a list of favorite books. For more info on how to participate, simply
Participating children can win a free pass to the 2020 Opening Day at Playland Park!
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What's Cooking?
Muffin-Tin Mac and Cheese Cups
INGREDIENTS
- 4 lb uncooked elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ tablespoons Gold Medal all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 cup milk
- ½ cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (8 oz)
- 1 cup Progresso™ plain panko crispy bread crumbs
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1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh Italian (flat-leaf) parsley
DIRECTIONS
- Heat oven to 425°F. Place foil muffin liner in each of 12 regular-size muffin cups. Spray liners with cooking spray. Cook macaroni as directed on package; drain, and set aside.
- Meanwhile, in 4-quart saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. Add flour, salt and pepper; cook and beat with whisk 1 to 2 minutes or until thickened. Slowly beat in milk. Heat just to boiling, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Stir in cheese. Stir in macaroni. Divide mixture evenly among cups.
- In medium microwavable bowl, microwave remaining 2 tablespoons butter uncovered on High 60 to 90 seconds or until melted. Stir in breadcrumbs and parsley. Spoon on top of mixture in cups. Gently press.
- Bake 18 to 22 minutes or until bread crumb mixture is golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
For more information on reimbursements for meals and snacks, contact Latoya Ramsey, Provider Services Coordinator at (914)-761-3456 x 118 or email her at [email protected]
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Community Resources
United Way's 2-1-1 is a free, confidential, multilingual information and referral helpline open 365 days a year, 9am-7pm.
United Way's 2-1-1 call specialists can give you information about things such as:
- Food Assistance
- Housing assistance and shelters
- Abuse prevention
- Elder care
- Mental health services
- Recycling regulations
- Services for people with disabilities
- How to become a foster parent
- Where to get medical help and more
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How Delicious It Is to Give Back!
Shake Shack's Hartsdale location contributes
5% of sales of their Pie Oh My Concretes to the Council, so that we may continue to fight for quality early care and education for all children in Westchester.
Make sure you stop by and enjoy their ever changing Pie Oh My Concretes to support the Council!
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