#1 Take a Minute ~ Accidents Can and Do Happen in Child Care
Accidents can happen to children in the best of programs, but it is imperative for families to constantly check the compliance history of the child care program that their children are in. A parent shared, "I have been using the same family child care provider for 10 years and have known her for 20 years. I still check her compliance history at least once a year. It is one way to know that everything is okay." Take a moment to check your child care program.
A child care specialist can help explain the violations or answer your questions: 914-761-3456 x 140.
Also, check in with your child care program to make sure that they have proper policies and procedures in place to minimize the occurrence and to take the proper steps immediately, should an accident occur. Make sure your child's emergency information is current. Here are some questions to ask your program to see how they are doing?
Is your child care program following the OCFS regulations for staff qualifications, the teacher-child ratios including when a teacher must step out of the room for any reason, and not mixing age groups?
Do children have competent, direct supervision at all times?
Do caregivers carry out daily safety checks to make sure all areas are free from dangers?
Do caregivers consistently safeguard hazardous areas such as heavy doors, tables or other furniture that have the potential to tip or fall?
Are the caregivers properly trained to promptly handle emergency situations?
Are the caregivers aware of what types of incidents should trigger a call to 911?
Do the caregivers know how to properly communicate the nature of serious injuries to parents or emergency contacts?
Does the care giver have current emergency information and is it readily accessible?
Are the caregivers knowledgeable about their Health Care Plan and each child's Health Care Plan including who can administer medications?
Does the program's Health Care Consultant regularly come to the program and personally review the paperwork and medications of children in the program?
Have the care givers received in-person training on the OCFS regulations and Child Abuse Prevention and Identification?
The Council is here to help 914-761-3456 x 140.
#2 The Doctor Says.... Read
When doctors say 'Read'. new parents listen
A campaign to get parents talking, reading and singing to their infants and toddlers by sending the message through pediatricians is working, new report shows.
Nearly four years ago, a baby boy named Anselmo Santos sat in his doctor's office in Oakland, California, chewing on a cardboard children's book. The book came from a specially designed tote bag of literacy tools that Anselmo's doctor had just handed his mother. While the chubby infant chewed, Dr. Dayna Long explained the importance of talking, reading and singing with young children to encourage healthy brain development.
"You taught me something I didn't know," Nicole Wright, Anselmo's mom, told the doctor when she heard that 80 percent of a child's brain is developed by the time they turn 3. "I talk to him from the time he gets up until the time he goes to bed. It's something we're already doing, but we'll do it even more."
Let us start the New Year off by providing your child care provider with an updated medical form (Click Here for Form), especially if your child has an allergy or asthma.
It is better for the caregivers to know all about your child's medical issues before something happens. It is also required for your child care program to be in compliance with OCFS regulations. Remember that a child care program can only administer medications when their license or registration certificate states that they are approved. However, programs can accept emergency medications (Asthma inhaler, Nebulizer or Epi-pen and Benadryl), BUT they must have all of the required paperwork and a verification stating they were trained by you as the parent on how to either give/administer the emergency medication. Benadryl cannot be accepted without and Epi-pen.
Did you know that there are 6 Asthma Friendly Endorsed Child Care programs in Westchester County.
Call 914-761-3456 x 140
to learn who they are.
Children's Corner
15 Reasons to Take Children Outside in the Winter
Even when it is cold and gray, children should go outside. There are so many benefits for children when they play outside. Too many children are spending too much time inside during the winter months. Too often adults say that the children won't like the cold. If dressed properly, the children will be fine. AND if the adults dress properly, they will be fine too!
Of course, in inclement weather, children should not be outside. But if it is just cold, bundle up, and go out. Even infants will benefit from the fresh air.
A good reference for child care programs is to use Weather Watch. It will tell you
when it is too hot or too cold to take children outside.
Sometimes we think of winter as being a time of
"nothing to play with" because everything is covered in snow. Parks may be empty, local outdoor events may decrease, and items that we use in the summer months may not be practical anymore. However, creating and engaging in winter play activities is actually fun for both you and your child, and very easy to do!
Just remember to gear up! For you and your child to have a great time in the cold weather, the most important thing to consider is appropriate clothing, such as layers, mittens, headgear and more.
For fun winter weather activities and tips on how to best dress your kids for winter play, click here
Advocacy
Join Us for Advocacy Day
February 4, 2019
If you believe, like we do, that child care should be more affordable and subsidy reimbursements to programs/providers should be higher!
For more info, email Kathy Halas, Executive Director at [email protected]
What's Cooking
Loaded Baked
Omelette Muffin
INGREDIENTS
nonstick cooking spray
9 large whole eggs
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
black pepper
3 strips cooked chopped bacon
3 tablespoons thawed frozen spinach, drained
3 tbsp diced tomatoes
3 tbsp diced bell pepper
2 oz shredded cheddar
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray the muffin tins with cooking spray.
In a large bowl whisk the eggs, then season with salt and pepper. Mix in remaining ingredients and pour mixture into molds.
Place tins on a cookie sheet and bake 20-25 minutes, until set. Serve.
Every year we take time to strengthen our bond with our co-workers during our Annual All Staff Retreat. This year was extra special, along with building our relationships and growing together as an organization, we had the wonderful opportunity to give back to our community by visiting Feeding Westchester. We packed over 900 "backpacks" of food going to food insecure children throughout Westchester.
11th Annual Children's Book Drive!
Drop off books between March 15th and April 30th, 2019 to:
Child Care Council of Westchester:
313 Central Park Avenue, Suite 4,
Scarsdale, NY
(Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm;
call for Saturday hours)
The Child Care Council of Westchester and Westchester Chapter of the New York Association for the Education of Young Children (WAEYC) are celebrating the Week of the Young Child with our 11th Annual Children's Book Drive.
Early literacy skills cannot develop without access to high quality books, but many programs in Westchester County do not have enough books for the children in their care.
Please donate books to Westchester programs serving children who need high quality books.
Please only donate books in very good condition that can be used and enjoyed by children ages 0-12. We especially welcome books depicting diverse ages, abilities, and cultures. We cannot accept electronic books.
For more information or questions, please call the Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. at (914) 761-3456 ext. 136 or 106
Raise a Glass
Annual Wine Tasting
Vino 100
171 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10601
April 11, 2019
Early Ed Hall of Heroes
Mercy College
555 Broadway
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
June 21, 2019
Council Office Closings
All Day
Monday, February 18, 2019
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:
