#1 - Earn a Free
Council Calendar Training
Attend five calendar trainings with us and get your 6th training for free.
Click here, to learn more about how it works.
#2 - We are Giving Away FREE Books
We recently wrapped up our 11th Annual Children's Book Drive. We now have THOUSANDS of "gently used" infant/toddler, preschool and school-age books available to give to Westchester programs.
To receive books, you must be either a licensed/registered child care/after school program, a legally exempt provider, or a non-profit community agency serving Westchester children in need.
If you are interested in receiving FREE books for your program and meet the criteria above, please contact Jami Flynn at (914) 761-3456, ext. 136 or
[email protected]
#3- Win a $100 Gift Card
Please take the time to fill out the Child Care Council of Westchester's 2019 Parent Survey.
The information we gather will be used to help the Council serve families better.
Responses are confidential.
All survey participants will be entered to win a $100 Amex or Visa gift card - limit one survey per family, please.
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YOUR BUSINESS IS OUR BUSINESS
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Child Care Advocacy is Year Round
Here at the Council, we fight for child care 24/7/365.
This summer we'll be meeting with members of Westchester's state delegation 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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Provider Highlight
Congratulations to Clara Leonard (ctr) and her team at
Happy Klubhouse Child Care, Inc
- the FIRST program in
Westchester
to receive the Caring Spaces Endorsement! This demonstrates their commitment to allowing independence and movement, providing responsive caregiving, and providing high-quality play and learning materials for the children in their care.
Are you interested in creating a high quality program environment for your infants and toddlers? Would you like recognition for your work toward creating a high quality infant or toddler program? Then the Caring Spaces Endorsement might be for you!
To learn more about Caring Spaces sign up here.
For additional questions, contact Idie Benjamin at (914)761-3456 x108 or email her at [email protected]
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Celebrating Kathy Halas as a
Shore & ICare Honoree
For more information on important and necessary work that Shore & ICare does,
click here
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Congratulations
to our CDA Course Students
who earned their CDA Credentials in May and June 2019!
This early childhood professional completed a Child Care Council Child Development Associate (CDA) course and then went on to earn the CDA Credential from the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington, DC. She worked hard to improve her skills and knowledge of working with young children. The children in her care, their parents, and her program is very fortunate to have such a dedicated professional working with them.
The Council's Online CDA class
For more info on the Council's CDA classes or the CDA Credential, please go to:
After you read the information, please complete the form at the end to help us determine next steps for you.
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Health Tip
Home Made Bug Sprays
are NOT Acceptable
Programs may not accept or apply home made bug sprays.
As per your Health & Infection Control Regulations, prescription and over-the-counter medication must be kept in their original bottles or containers.
If a parent tells you that their home made bug spray is not considered a prescription or over-the-counter medication, inform the parent that you must follow your health & infection control regulations and your health care plan.
The health care plan in Section 9 covers all over-the-counter Topical Ointments (TO), Sprays (S), and Insect Repellent (R). It states:
- All over-the-counter TO/S/R will be kept in the original container.
- Any over-the-counter TO/S/R will be applied in accordance with the package directions for use.
Parents may apply the home made product on their child at home.
To review section 9 of the Health Care Plan,
click here
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Apply NOW for Our
In-Person Infant Toddler
CDA Credential Course
First Class - Tuesday, September 24
This 120-hour course is the first step to becoming a CDA- Child Development Associate. Thanks to a generous grant from the Westchester County Office for Women, the cost is only $50 for the course materials.
This CDA is open to child care professionals who work with infants and/or toddlers in Westchester County child care centers and family/group family programs.
Earning the CDA Credential™ has many advantages:
- Advance your career
- Meet job requirements
- Reinforce your commitment to early childhood education
- Increase your knowledge and skills for working with young children.
- Provide an appropriate program for children
- Give parents peace of mind
- Increase your confidence
Do not delay!
Application deadline: August 15, 2019
about the CDA Credential and the steps to receive it.
For more information about the Council CDA course, go to
CDA Credential
Mail your application to:
Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc.
313 Central Park Avenue
Scarsdale, NY 10583
Attn: Idie Benjamin
or
fax it to 914-761-1957
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Professional Development
Summer Training Calendar
September -December 2019
Available now, our Fall Training Calendar offers a variety of training that are a "road map to quality." We have trainings for new and experienced teachers and for all ages of children.
Take a look at these and the many others trainings we have planned for the fall!
- Teaching Children to Read
- Let's Move! 25 Activities to Get Your Children Moving
- Working with Families from Diverse Backgrounds
- Children on the Autism Spectrum
- What is Developmentally Appropriate Practice?
- OCFS Emergency Medication Administration
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414, 416, 417, & 418 - 8(a)
Children cannot be left without competent direct supervision at any time. Competent supervision includes awareness of and responsibility for the ongoing activity of each child. It requires that all children be within a teacher's range of vision and that the teacher be near enough to respond when redirection or intervention strategies are needed. Competent supervision must take into account the child's age emotional, physical, and cognitive development.
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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE COUNCIL
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Book Drive with Morgan Stanley
Our volunteers work to ensure EVERY child in Westchester has access to diverse and developmentally
appropriate books!
Thank you to our Board Member Joyce Cadesca and the Morgan Stanley team members for collecting books and then spending hours at the Council getting them ready for distribution. Now the
books will quickly get into the hands of children who need them!
#Bookdrive
#EarlyLiteracy
#ChildrensBooks
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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!
SACC Programs
City of Mount Vernon Youth Bureau
City of Mount Vernon Youth Bureau @ Columbus Elementary School (Franko BLDG)
City of White Plains Youth Bureau
Y-COP of Mount Vernon, INC
Welcome New CACFP Participants
Sorababel Asencio
Lakeesha Jones
Genell Lloyd
Janice Niles
Tavares Serrano
Yolanda Shinault
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Go on a Scavenger Hunt
There is always something interesting to find outside in a yard, on a playground, or in the neighborhood. Go on a hunt to find treasures. Children all of ages can go on a nature scavenger hunt that is designed just for them. Scavenger hunts give children opportunities to increase their language skills, to practice their ability to focus on their environment, and to use problem solving and creative thinking skills.
Be safe: Don't include berries on your list and supervise children so that there is no tasting while they are hunting.
So go outside and find something that is:
- a certain color
- dry or wet
- shiny
- beautiful
- tiny or big
- a flower
- fuzzy
- soft or hard
- rough or smooth
- flat or raised
- alive
- blown by the wind
- a different shape
- crawls or moves
- has no legs, four legs, or six legs
- makes a sound
- sticky
- smelly
- a good hiding place
- an animal's home
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Screening Under the Stars
The Council will be there, come say hello!
When
: Friday, August 2nd, 2019
Where:
Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla
Cost: Free
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Summertime in the Garden
When
: Sunday, August 4th, 10am
Cost: Free
For more information, Click here
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- Child Supervision
- Community Fun
- 2019 Mid-Year Membership
- Honoring Kathy Halas- Shore & ICare Celebration Dinner
- Morgan Stanley Book Drive
- 2019 Annual "Dream Big" Celebration
- 2019 Fall Early Childhood Conference
- Children's Corner
- What's Cooking
- Family Fun and more
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The Whitby Castle
330 Boston Post Road
Rye, NY 10580
October 3, 2019
2019 Fall Early Childhood Conference
Shaarei Tikvah Synagogue
Scarsdale, NY 10583
October 18, 2019
Council Office Closings
Early Closing (3pm)
Friday, August 30th, 2019
All Day
Monday, September 2nd, 2019
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Stop by our table at any of the below community events.
Screening Under the Stars
Kensico Dam Plaza
Valhalla, NY
August 2nd, 2019
Click here to learn more
515 North Ave
New Rochelle, NY
September 8th, 2019
Click here to learn more
Yonkers Riverfest
Downtown Yonkers, NY
September 14th, 2019
Click here to learn more
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Welcome, Nidhi Kissoon, to the Council Board of Directors!
Thank you, Nidhi, for joining our Board. We are excited that you have decided to support the Council's mission. We look forward to working with you.
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Welcome, Lindsey Gibbons!
We are very excited to welcome Lindsey Gibbons as our new Blumenthal Intern from Cornell University. Lindsay will work closely with the Professional Development team on a variety of projects.
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We enjoyed some time out of the office at our Annual Summer Outing with sun, games, laughter and a great barbecue. Thanks to our S.T.A.R. committee for organizing such a wonderful event.
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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:
For more information contact Juanita Pope at (914)-761-3456 x106 or
[email protected]
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We Love Interns!
Do you know a student looking for a summer internship? The Council offers a variety of internships all year round. Internships are a great experience for students to learn knowledge before they enter the workforce. Below you will find a list of opportunities available at the Council.
For more information contact Juanita Pope at (914)-761-3456 x106 or
[email protected]
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Reduced Mid-Year Membership Rates
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 to post at your site
- Printed Council Training Calendar
- Early announcements of special programs and opportunities
- Free Notary Public Services
- Free Members Only networking events
- 7.5% off Lakeshore Orders
- Complimentary Council 2019 Calendar
- Participation in our membership referral program
- Exclusive member only annual events
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Westchester County & Phelps Hospital, Northwell Health Present 2nd Conference on Concussion
A FREE presentation for: Parents, Coaches, School Administrators, Athletic Trainers, Healthcare Professionals, Youth Athletes.
Each year, millions of children suffer from athletic head injuries that may result in concussion. The debate around the topic has led to confusion and misinformation.
Learn about:
- How to recognize signs and symptoms of concussions, what to watch for and help for navigating the process if your child is injured
- The important role of exercise and active rehabilitation post-injury
- The impact on Return to Learn AND Return to Sports
Featuring prominent concussion experts, including:
Dr. Rosanna Sabini, Medical Director, Northwell Health Concussion Program
Dr. John Leddy, Medical Director, University of Buffalo Concussion Management Clinic
Dr. Mark Herceg, Director, Concussion Assessment & Treatment Services, Phelps Hospital, Northwell Health
Conference Details:
Westchester County Center
198 Central Avenue
White Plains, NY
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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:
The Network meets the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 10:00am-12:00pm. Contact Chris Cornacchia at (914)693-6686 or email
[email protected] or contact Gina D'Amore at (914)835-4271 or email
[email protected]
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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What's Cooking?
Cheesy Pigs in a Blanket
INGREDIENTS
- 1 package crescent dinner rolls sheet pastry (it should come out as one large piece of dough)
- 5 low-sodium, low-fat turkey hot dogs, precooked and sliced in half
- 2 slices low-sodium American cheese
- Ketchup for dipping
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Grease a baking sheet liberally with cooking spray.
- Cut dough vertically into four rectangles. Then cut those rectangles in half (horizontally) and then cut those rectangles diagonally (into triangles).
- Cut cheese into six bite size chunks. Place cheese on the wider inside of the dough. Place a sliced hot dog on top of the cheese and roll dough up so it forms a crescent. Repeat until all ingredients have been used.
- Bake for at least 10 minutes, or until crescents are golden brown. Serve with ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce 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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