November 2018              
             914.761.3456
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW 
#1 - Election Day is November 6th
Voting matters. Make your vote count.
There are really important races this year in New York - Governor, Senate, Assembly, and the Court system. Polls are open from 6 am to 9 pm.  Here at the Council, we give everyone time off to get to the polls because we believe voting is that important. So please get there!

#2 - Change in Regulations
Did you know that smoking, vaping, and e-cigarettes are prohibited at all times, even outside operating hours, in rooms where child care is provided in all GFDC and FDC programs? This change in regulations will take effect 11/18/18. As of 11/18/18, if there is anyone observed smoking/vaping inside a GFDC or FDC program or evidence of smoking/vaping is found that program will be cited.

#3 - Taxes
What does your tax preparer need to understand about your taxes? Do you wonder if your tax preparer understands your business taxes? If not, you need to educate them.  Here are tips on how you can.

#4 - Health Insurance Options
The New York State of Health Marketplace is a one stop shop for New Yorkers for affordable, low-cost health insurance. There are health exchange navigators available to help you for free. Click here to locate a navigator in your area. Go to the "county" dropdown and select Westchester. Go to the "type of agent" dropdown and select navigator and select "search".

YOUR BUSINESS IS OUR BUSINESS 
It's That Time of Year Again - 
Let's Advocate for Child Care

Council staff and Board members are visiting programs all over the County to encourage parents to let our elected officials know that child care is a priority.

For more information or to schedule a visit, contact executive director Kathy Halas at kathyh@cccwny.org or 914-761-3456 x 102.  

Thanks to Y-COP of Mt Vernon for kicking off our "Calls for Kids" at their October 24th parents' meeting.   

County Budget Hearing Schedule
  • Nov 20th at Ossining High School
  • Nov 27th at Yonkers Riverfront Library
  • Dec 5th at Westchester County Board of Legislators Chambers, 148 Martine Ave, White Plains
All Budget Hearings begin at 7 pm; speakers should arrive by 6:15 to sign up for first come/first served spots.   Come speak up for child care!
 Professional Development Opportunities 
Don't miss our great fall  trainings.  To see what we have in store,  click 2018 Fall Training Calendar
 Share Your Experience 


We just celebrated our 50 Year Anniversary.  So we asked former Council executive director Lottie Harris, who was responsible for much of our growth and success, to share her thoughts.

Thank you Lottie for your wonderful leadership and continued support for the early child care community.  

If you are interested in recording a video to share your child care experience, please email Juanita Pope at  juanitap@cccwny.org. We would love to hear from you too!

Camera shy? No worries, just complete and submit the below form.

Share Your Experience
Health Tip 
Influenza Season
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 can lead to 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.
All child care programs and schools are required to post influenza educational material where it can be easily viewed by parents. The purpose is to ensure that families receive information about influenza and the benefits of vaccination.
To learn more,  click here
Register Now!
Fall Infant Toddler Conference

When: Friday, November 16, 2018 
8:30am-1pm
Where: Peas & Karrots Child Care Center, Ossining

Join us for a half-day of training focused on nurturing, guiding, & teaching infants and toddlers in classrooms & family programs!

Highlights:
Keynote address
5 break out sessions from which to choose
3.5 hours of training
Resources & materials
Continental breakfast

Click Here for the Brochure!
To register, click here and fill out the form or click here to register on line.
Regulatory Reminder: 416/471.11(B)(11)
Smoking in indoor or outdoor areas in use by children and in vehicles when children are occupying the vehicles is prohibited.
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE COUNCIL
Our 50th Anniversary Celebration 

Board President Craig Ruoff

Our 50th Anniversary Celebration was a huge success, with over 300 guests in attendance! We were able to network, enjoy the company of our quality child care supporters, and raise over $20,000 for Child Care Scholarships! We were delighted by the event, and want to thank each and every person who came and supported the Council as we celebrated 50 years and prepare for 50 more!

Kathy Halas (CCCW Executive Director), and Craig Ruoff (CCCW Board President) with our honorees: Peter Edelman, Dr. Marsha Gordon, and Rob Clarfeld of Clarfeld Financial Advisors.
 CCCW Day
 We were so happy to wake up on the day after our 50th Anniversary Celebration to see that October 19th was dedicated to the Child Care Council! A tremendous thank you to our Westchester County Legislators that made this happen!
2018 Holiday Toy Drive
 
We are excited to partner with Toy for Tots again this year to bring joy to the holiday season. Join us by donating a new, unwrapped toy for children 12 years old and under. 

When: Nov 1 - Dec 17

Drop Off Location: Child Care Council of Westchester, 313 Central Park Avenue, Scarsdale, NY 10583  9 am to 5 pm

Gift Suggestions: Dolls, Tea Sets, Cars, Puzzles, Board Games and Building Toys

There are many ways you may help:
  • Donate an unwrapped toy
  • Encourage your friends, co-workers and other contacts to donate. 
  • Help us sort toys with the Toys for Tots volunteers. Share the above flyer with friends, family etc. 

No time to shop?
Visit our online wish list on Amazon!

For more information contact Juanita Pope at juanitap@cccwny.org or call her at (914)761-3456 ext. 106.   
Exclusive Member's Event
 Welcome New & Renewed 
Child Care Programs!

Renewed
Family Day Care Programs
Dionysia Clovis
Great Expectations Child Care

New 
SACC Programs
Healthy Kids Extended Day Program Inc.

Renewed
Armonk Children's Corner, Inc
Chappaqua Children's Workshop #5
Lending a Hand to the Future Inc.
The Children's Club Inc.
The Country Children's Center

 Welcome New CACFP Participants
Sugey Aquino Modesta
Jennifer Jones
Jane Kar
Mishka Maragh
Francis Oganda Rosario
Maria Peralta Perez
Jose Ricardo
Efrain Rivera
Genovena Silverio
Michelle Watkins
Preschool In-Person 
CDA Class Graduates 
Graduates: Tiera Bivins, Taylor Bradley, Casey Brehm, Amy Capobianco-Diaz, Iris Dominguez, Alika Douglas, Gyanat Garcia-Almonte, Danielle Henry, Ra-Chel Jackson, Roxanne Johnson, Taylor Jones, Amy Kass, Joyce Monet Long, Laura Martinez, Beatrice O'Brien, Leeyla Ortega, Dassy Quintana, Jenna Marie Rivera, Bushra Sardar, Paola Tapia, and Sergio Tejada

Congratulations to the 21 wonderful graduates of the Council's 2018 Preschool In-Person CDA Class graduates who are pictured here with their instructor Dr. Cecilia Scott-Croff. They began the class on March 12, 2018 and graduated on October 22, 2018. This 120 hour intensive CDA course focused on the many aspects of providing preschool age children with a high quality, developmentally appropriate program. To complete this course, on top of working all day, and handling one's own family responsibilities, is a tremendous achievement!

We commend them for their commitment to improving their knowledge and skills. The students will now apply to the Council for Professional Recognition for the Child Development Associate credential. 

This course was made possible by funding from the Westchester County Department of Social Services - Office of Workforce Investment.
CHILDREN'S CORNER
Celebrating Thanksgiving 
with Children


Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday. Families and friends come together for good company and 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. What does a hand print turkey teach us about turkeys? Where is the creativity when all of the children's projects look the same. And turkey may not have been eaten at the first Thanksgiving dinner.

We also must think that many Thanksgiving projects give children "disrespectful and stereotypical messages about Native Americans."  Click here to read the "Anti-Bias Thanksgiving."

If Thanksgiving is not about gluing feathers on paper turkeys and "Indians," then what can we do with children to help them learn about the holiday?

The first question to ask yourself is what can children at each age understand about Thanksgiving. Then ask yourself what is the best way to teach that. Lastly, ask yourself if Thanksgiving is about turkeys or something more important. Then focus on that. Don't think it's your responsibility to teach even the youngest child all about the holiday. Each year as they grow there will be another opportunity for them to learn more.

Also keep in mind that holidays can be stressful for many families and not entirely joyful!

Baby Time

 
When : November 5th, 2018 & November 12th, 2018 at 10:30AM
Where: Lewisboro Library
Cost: Free
For more information, click here

IN THIS ISSUE
  • Fall Infant Toddler Conference - Register! 
  • Successful 50th Anniversary Celebration
  • Health Tip: the Flu
  • 2019 Membership is Open
  • Calls for Kids Campaign
  • Annual Toy Drive
  • Share Your Experience
  • Children's Corner
  • Family Fun and more 
SAVE THE DATE 
Fall Infant Toddler Conference
Friday, November 16, 2018
8:30am-1:00pm
Peas & Karrots Child Care Center Ossining, NY
For more information click here

Council Office Closings 
All Day
Thursday, November 22, 2018
Friday, November 23, 2018
Tuesday, December 25, 2018
Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Early Closing
(office closes at 3pm)
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Monday, December 24, 2018
Monday, December 31, 2018
COUNCIL FACES
Welcome
 Matthew!


Matthew is our new Social Media/Marketing Intern. Matthew will assist with various projects including our 2019 Membership Campaign. We are happy to have him as part of our team. 

The Council offers a variety of internships to fulfill high school and college students' needs.  

Contact Juanita Pope at (914)761-3456 x106 for more information. 
Welcome
Jennifer!

Jennifer is our new Infant Toddler Specialist. She joins our team with an extensive background in child care. We are looking forward to having Jennifer aboard. 

PROVIDER HIGHLIGHTS
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  juanitap@cccwny.org  
2019 MEMBERSHIP
Join our 2019 Membership!

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
RESOURCES 
For Your Parents

We know that quality child care is far from your only challenge or responsibility. The Child Care Council is here to help connect Westchester parents with whatever education, support, and resources they need.

Learn about a wide range of topics related to raising children through free or low-cost training, and benefit from support sessions offered in your area.  

Are You Hiring?

The Council encourages members to post job openings on our website. 

Click here  to post a job
Click here to view candidate profiles 

Earn a Free Council Training!

In appreciation for all the early care and education professionals that attend our trainings, we are now offering the "Council Loyalty Punch Card"!

Click here to learn more.
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 Elizabeth@littlehousedc.com

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 dmeyerski@mkccc.org 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 general@ccwkids.org or Lynn Lutomski at Irvington Children's Center at iccchildcare@aol.com 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.
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 juanitap@cccwny.org
November 8th is 
National STEM Day!


To celebrate STEM Day, here are some suggestions:
  • Create Magnetic Slime
  • Make Homemade Catapults
  • Jellybean Building
  • Pipe Cleaner Counting
For more information  click here
What's Cooking?

Pumpkin Rice
 Krispy Treats


INGREDIENTS
  • 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
  • 3 Tbsp salted butter
  • 1 (10 oz) pkg. of mini marshmallows
  • Orange gel food coloring
  • 3 pretzel rods, end portions broken off into 2 inch pieces
  • 6 mini green airheads or green fondant
  • Non-stick cooking spray
DIRECTIONS

1. Measure our Rice Krispies cereal and pour into bowl. Melt butter in a 4 quart non-stick saucepan or pot over medium-low heat. Add marshmallows and stir. as they begin to melt add food coloring until desired color is achieved. Stir constantly until marshmallows have melted. Remove from heat then immediately pour Rice Krispies and gently stir and fold with spatula until cereal is evenly coated. Let mixture cool slightly.
2. Spray hands with non-stick cooking spray then shape mixture into balls about the size of a baseball. Insert 1 piece of pretzel rod into the top center and reshape the pumpkin as needed. Transfer to plate sprayed lightly with cooking spray.
3. Beginning on one side of the airhead candy or fondant cut out leaf shape with clean scissors. Use the remaining portion to roll and shape into a thin rope shape. Place candy on the sides of each pretzel. Repeat with remaining candy. Store in airtight container.

Enjoy!

For more information on receiving reimbursements for meals and snacks contact Lindsay Tiernan at (914)-761-3456 x115 or email Lindsay at lindsayt@cccwny.org
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
Learn more: www.uwwp.org

Common Sense Media

 
This leading independent nonprofit organization is dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world of media and technology. They empower parents, teachers, and policymakers by providing unbiased information, trusted advice, and innovative tools to help them harness the power of media and technology as a positive force in all kids' lives.

To check out their resources,  Click here

Prevent Child Abuse 
New York


There is nothing more demanding than parenting and all parents benefit from support, information and resources.  

Take advantage of all the materials that this organization provides including tips on preventing child sexual abuse and bullying.   Visit their website at Prevent Child Abuse New York

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.
***

Support the Council while you shop!

Through Friday, Nov 2nd, when you 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!


Sign up at: SMILE.AMAZON.COM