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#1 - New OCFS Regulations in Sept!
With the passage of the New York State budget in April, legislation was enacted that grants OCFS the authority to implement the federal requirements mandated in the Child Care Development Block Grant of 2014. This will affect background clearances, training, and inspections, beginning September 2019.
Please check the OCFS website regularly for updates. Remember licensors
and registrars can make unannounced visits/inspections to your program at anytime to ensure the health and safety of the children in your care.
If you are currently participating in the Child Adult Care Food Program or would like to participate please consider using KidKare, our online claiming
 system. KidKare will help you record daily meals, plan menus in advance, maintain compliance with CACFP requirements and submit your claim online
. Providers submitting claims online will receive their reimbursements faster. For more information, contact Latoya Carney-Ramsey at (914)761-3456 x118.
#3 -
Free Training for Family and Group Family Providers
Did you know the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) will pay for trainings?
CSEA is one of the largest, most influential unions in the United States. Click here, to learn more.
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YOUR BUSINESS IS OUR BUSINESS
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Child Care Advocacy is Year Round
The state budget is in the books and it's months before the 2020 Westchester County budget process begins. But here at the Council, we fight for child care 24/7/365.
This summer we'll be meeting with members of Westchester's state senators and assemblymembers in their district offices to talk about all the benefits access to safe, quality child care and after school programs deliver...and the need for more funding!
Come with us and meet your state representatives and tell them about the wonderful work you do for children and families in their communities.
Check out our 2019 Public Policy Agenda, adopted by the Council Board of Directors. Click here!
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The BCW - A Great Friend to Child Care
The Council and the entire county are fortunate to have the Business Council of Westchester (BCW) in our midst, supporting a vibrant business community and a growing workforce.
The BCW, u
nder the leadership of Dr. Marsha Gordon, Pres/CEO and John Ravitz, EVP/COO and BCW Education Foundation Chair Maria Bronzi, understands that child care is a serious business issue. On May 29th, we were delighted to present a program on child care resources and practical solutions, hosted by the BCW Education Foundation, to BCW members and guests.
To close the program, Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul delivered personal and inspiring remarks about the child care struggles families experience and the new opportunities we have to eliminate those barriers.
There is unprecedented recognition in NYS of the importance of accessible, quality child care not only to individual families, but to our entire state's economic future. We are so grateful to the BCW for
leading on this issue.
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Welcome 2019 Members!
We would like to extend a warm welcome to those centers, group family and family providers, individuals, and organizations that have joined our membership or renewed a previous membership! We are happy to have all of your support and we are eager to serve you!
Our membership is still open! If you are interested in receiving the many benefits for the 2019 year, please join us! For more information contact Juanita Pope at
[email protected]
Visit our
website to see a full list of our current 2019 members.
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Congratulations
to our Latest CDA Students
to Earn the CDA Credential
These early childhood professionals completed a Child Care Council CDA course and then went on to receive the Child Development Associate Credential from the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington, DC. They 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.
· The Council's In-person Preschool
CDA class:
o Bushra Sardar
o Dassy Quintana
o Gyanat Garcia-Almonte
o Iris Dominguez
For more info on the Council's CDA classes or the CDA Credential, please go to:
After you read the information, you will be able to complete the form at the end, which will help us determine next steps for you.
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2019 Early Care Management Training Workshop
Directing a child care center is a complex and demanding job. Directors must have an in-depth understanding of how to provide children with high quality, developmentally appropriate early care and learning experiences. At the same time, they must master an array of skills needed to operate their centers efficiently. Supported by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), the Early Care & Learning Council's Management Training workshops provide training and technical assistance designed to help center directors meet these challenges. These programs are offered to all center directors and CCR&R staff members at no cost.
In this booklet you will find:
- Information about the state sponsored no cost trainings
- Information about the Director's Institute
- A schedule of all the 2019 training throughout NYS
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Professional Development
Summer Training Calendar
June - August 2019
Available now, our Summer Training Calendar includes some new sessions!
- Art for All Ages - Show & Tell (at Westchester Community College)
- Promoting Wellness Practices to Promote Well-being
- Project Learning Tree: Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood (at the Bronx Botanical Garden)
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The weather is finally getting warmer and children now have more time to play outside. Warm, sunny days are wonderful, but children can be especially vulnerable to ultraviolet radiation. Sun safety is really important because children are at greater risk to sun exposure because their outer layer of skin is thinner and they have more skin relative to their body mass.
We encourage you to evaluate your sun-protection policies and procedure so that all c
hildren are protected from the sun while enjoying the outdoors.
Sunburns are more than uncomfortable; they are also a major risk factor for melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer. The risk of skin cancer from sun exposure is significantly increased by time spent in the sun during childhood. So work with your parents
to practice sun safety.
For additional information about sun safety, click on the links below:
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Regulations Reminder: 417.3 (d) Temperature
A temperature of at least 68° degrees Fahrenheit must be maintained in all rooms that are to be occupied by children.
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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE COUNCIL
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Early Education Hall of Heroes Event
This year we are thrilled to be celebrating Westchester's most dedicated and exceptional child care and after school professionals.
Join the celebration -
click here
to purchase tickets.
Use promo code "EARLYBIRD" to save $15 off an Early Care and Education Ticket. Offer valid until June 7th.
Group discounts available, contact Juanita Pope at (914)761-3456 x106 for more information.
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Thank You, The Goddard School!
Congratulations to The Goddard School at Hastings on Hudson on a fabulous 2019 Art Show!
Hats off in particular to the children for their amazing pieces of artwork and to the faculty for curating and setting up amazing rooms to showcase all of the fabulous art!
The Council is so honored to have been selected as the special nonprofit to receive all funds raised from this fabulous event. Funds will go directly towards our
#keytothefuture Child Care Scholarship Fund! Thank you to our friends at The Goddard School!
Visit our website to view more gallery photos.
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Save the Date: 2019 Annual
Dream Big Celebration
We had so much fun at our 50th anniversary event last October, we decided to hold another party and say thank you to some wonderful friends of child care and children!
For inquiries or questions regarding the event, contact Dana Lawless, Director of Development at
[email protected] or 914-761-3456 x 127.
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Welcome New & Renewed
Child Care Programs!
New
Family Day Care Programs
Little T.Y.K.E.S. Family Day Care, LLC
Family Day Care Programs
Alina's Day Care
Seyedeh Amini
Yosaya Fernandez
Little Kings & Queens Daycare, Inc
Mi Casa Child Day Care
Peli's Family Daycare
Renewed
SACC Programs
City of Mount Vernon Youth Bureau
City of Mount Vernon Youth Bureau @ Parker Elementary
Welcome New CACFP Participants
Kim Brown
Awilda Cruz
Teresa Ramos
Carmen Olivo
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Container Garden with Young Children
"Children are natural gardeners. They're curious, like to learn by doing, and love to play in the dirt. Working in a garden, a child can experience the satisfaction that comes from caring for something over time, while observing the cycle of life firsthand." (eartheasy.com)
You don't need to dig up the yard to garden with children. Container gardening or pot gardening is the practice of growing plants, including edible plants, exclusively in containers instead of planting them in the ground. Containers come in all shapes and sizes.
What can you plant? (eartheasy.com)
- Flowers
- Cherry tomatoes (the leaves are poisonous and should be out of reach of children.
- Peppers
- Eggplants
- Bush beans
- Herbs
- Broccoli
- Lettuce
- Onions
- Cucumbers and zucchini (larger container so the plant can spread out)
Resources:
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Family Gardening Days
When
: Sunday, June 2nd, 12pm
Where: Ridge Hill Shopping Center, Yonkers
Cost: Free
For more information, click here
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When
: Saturday, June 29th, 1pm
Cost: Free
For more information, click here
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- New OCFS Regs
- Health Tip: Sun Safety
- Early Step Forward
- Successful Goddard Gallery
- Meet our Heroes
- Community Fun
- 2019 Annual "Dream Big" Celebration
- Children's Corner
- What's Cooking
- Family Fun and more
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Mercy College
555 Broadway
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
June 21st, 2019
The Whitby Castle
330 Boston Post Road
Rye, NY 10580
October 3, 2019
Early Closing (3pm)
Friday, May 24th, 2019
Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019
Friday, August 30th, 2019
Early Closing (12:30pm)
Friday, July 12th, 2019
All Day
Monday, May 27th, 2019
Thursday, July 4th, 2019
Friday, July 5th, 2019
Monday, September 2nd, 2019
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Stop by our table at any of the below community events.
African American Heritage Festival
Kensico Dam Plaza
Valhalla, NY
Screening Under the Stars
Kensico Dam Plaza
Valhalla, NY
July 12th, 2019
August 2nd, 2019
Click here, to learn more
Hispanic Heritage Festival
Kensico Dam Plaza
Valhalla, NY
July 14th, 2019
Yonkers Riverfest
Downtown Yonkers, NY
September 14th, 2019
Click here, to learn more
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Welcome Back, Mabelyn Portorreal!
We are very excited to welcome Mabelyn Portorreal in her new role as our Bi-lingual Legally Exempt Enroller. If you have any questions regarding Legally Exempt enrollment please contact her at (914) 761-3456 x110.
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Our STAR Committee (Special Team of Action and Recognition) held a fun "fiesta" to celebrate
#cincodemayo
in May. Thank you STAR Committee for always hosting great events to build employee morale!
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We're Hiring!
Come to work at the Child Care Council and make a difference in the life of a child. We currently have the following openings:
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Don't miss out, join our Membership Today!
Benefits Include:
- Discounted calendar trainings and on-site training
- Listing on our website, including a link to your website
- Free gift for becoming a Council Member
- Free postings on the Council's job bank
- Membership certificate to post at your site
- Free Members Only networking events and exclusive Members Only annual events
- Refer a friend and receive a voucher for a free training
- Council Member only Lakeshore Learning coupon and discount
- Council Member only Once Upon A Child coupon
- Printed Council Training Calendar
Share your membership experience with us by completing the below survey.
Call (914) 761-3456 or visit
to become a member today
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All over the U.S., preschoolers are more apt to be expelled than school-aged children. The Early Step Forward Initiative, now 13 years old, shows it's possible to keep young children in their child care programs, and cost-effective too!
Join us to hear about this amazing collaboration of government, licensed mental health agencies, early childhood/Head Start programs, parents, and advocates.
Monday, June 21st
Greenburgh Public Library
8:30 Registration/Breakfast
9:00 Program
Free/Registration Required.
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Free Books for
Your Program
Our 11th Annual Children's Book drive brought in hundreds of new and "gently used" books for all ages. We would love to get them into your children's hands.
If you are a licensed/registered child care or after school program or a legally exempt provider, simply contact Jami Flynn at (914)761-3456 x136 or email her at
[email protected]
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Westchester
Library System-
DayByDayNY Family Literacy Calendar
Check out this great resource for caregivers and parents. The Family Literacy Calendar is available in English and Spanish.
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Teaching the Environment
Discovering Urban Landscapes
Aug 5-9, 2019
Teaching the Environment is a 5-day intensive, small-group-based, experiential, place-based professional development program for teachers in early childhood through high school settings, both formal and informal, who are interested in further developing the environmental studies and environmental science components of their work with children.
Event Information:
Center for the Urban River at Beczak (CURB)
35 Alexander St
Yonkers, NY 10701
To register,
click here
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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 Elizabeth Rodano, CCCW Infant Toddler Regional Coordinator at [email protected] or 914-761-3456 ext. 219.
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.
Join the network today!
Please note the networking groups do not meet in July and August.
The Council is pleased to host these groups. We encourage you to attend their meetings.
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What's Cooking?
Grilled Chicken Flatbread Pizza
INGREDIENTS
- Select ingredients:
- 2 pieces of flatbread
- 4 Tbsp Alfredo sauce
- 1/2 cup reduced fat mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup pre-cooked grilled chicken
- 1 medium sweet red pepper, and sliced Spinach
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, shredded
DIRECTIONS
- Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees
- Lay out your flatbread pieces
- Spread 2 Tbsp. Alfredo sauce on each piece of flatbread.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top of the Alfredo sauce.
- Add chicken, spinach, and sweet peppers. Top with a bit more mozzarella. (You can have other toppings as well. Just remember healthy toppings for children).
- Bake on a foil lined baking sheet for 8-10 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Slice, serve, and enjoy!
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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Support the Council
Many easy ways to help!
Did you know TD Bank has an Affinity Program?
TD Bank 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!
Shop Amazonsmile and select the Child Care Council of Westchester as your charity, we will receive 5% of the cost of your purchases. So get started on your holiday shopping today and thank you!
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How Delicious It Is to Give Back!
Shake Shack recently opened a new Hartsdale, NY location, and chose to give back to the Child Care Council of Westchester through their Charitable Partnership Program. Each sale at their soft opening, as well as 5% of sales of their Pie Oh My Concretes will be donated 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!
We're there all the time!
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