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#1 - Caution: Check Water Temperature Before Hand Washing!
According to
Caring for Our Children, a reference guide that sets national health and safety standards for early care and education programs, it is common for tap water to scald young children. Hot water temperatures at sinks used for hand washing, or where hot water will be in direct contact with children, should be set at a temperature of at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit and not more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Water above 120 degrees takes less than 30 seconds to burn the skin. If you are unable to set the water temperature, be sure to test the water on your wrist before allowing it to come into contact with a child's delicate skin
. Adequate and safe water supply and sewage facilities must be provided and must comply with State and local laws. Hot and cold running water must be available and accessible at all times.
#2 Measles Outbreak Letter
Measles outbreaks continue to occur in the Orthodox Jewish communities in Williamsburg, Boro Park, Brooklyn, Rockland County, and Orange County, New York. Cases have also been reported by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. The majority of cases across all jurisdictions have been in children who were not age appropriately up-to-date with measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) Vaccines.
#3 - Westchester County Declares Early Education Hall of Heroes Day
This past weekend, more than 200 community members joined with the
Child Care Council of Westchester
to induct 18 outstanding leaders into the Council's Early Education Hall of Heroes. In honor of Westchester's most dedicated and exceptional child care and after school professionals, County Executive George Latimer declared Saturday, June 22nd to be 'Early Education Hall of Heroes Day.'
#EarlyEdHeroes
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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 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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Celebrating 13 years of Early Step Forward!
Great turnout for the Early Step Forward birthday party today, recognizing 13 years of helping our youngest children and their families move forward and flourish. Thank you to those who developed and fought for ESF, those who funded ESF, and those who bring ESF services into child care and Head Start programs all over Westchester. A special thanks to the hard-working and determined parents who partner with ESF to get the best for their children.
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The Business Council of Westchester Gets Child Care
The Business Council's (BCW) Education Foundation sees child care as essential to economic and workforce development. Having designated child care as one of its primary issues, the BCW Education Foundation partnered with the Council on
May 29th to emphasize the importance of safe, quality child care as a "must have" for parents and employers alike.
This child care - business forum was an opportunity for us to cite our free and unique child care resource and referral services that can get parents to work more quickly, regularly and confidently. Special guest Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul lent her enthusiastic support to the issue, speaking personally about her own earlier challenges with child care and the opportunity for NYS to remove barriers to women's advancement by making child care more affordable and available.
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The National Association for the Education of Young Children
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is the professional organization and national voice of the early childhood community Together with their members, community partners, and network of affiliates across the country, NAEYC ensures that the early childhood profession exemplifies excellence and is recognized as performing a vital role in society.
Explore the work NAEYC does for you every day!
!
This is a critical time for early childhood educators,
and NAEYC is here to support YOU!
Join NAEYC and amplify your voice as we work
to advance a unified early childhood education profession! Become a member to receive a variety of resources and to support this important work.
Annual Memberships Now Start at Just $30
If you have any questions about the membership process, send an email to
[email protected]
or call the member services department at 800-424-2460, option 4.
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Congratulations
to our CDA Course Students
who earned their CDA Credentials in May and June 2019!
These early childhood professionals completed a Child Care Council Child Development Associate (CDA) course and then went on to receive the Child Development Associate Credential from the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington, DC. These women 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:
- Paola Tapia
- Taylor Jones
- Roxanne Johnson
- 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
Are You Aware of Immunization Requirements?
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation removing non-medical exemptions from vaccination requirements for children, effective June 13, 2019. This legislation covers children in:
- Public, private or parochial school (for students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade), or
For those children who had a religious exemption to vaccination:
- Children must now receive the first age appropriate dose in each immunization series by June 28, 2019 to attend or remain in school or child day care.
- By July 14, 2019 parents/guardians must show that they have made appointments for all required follow-up doses. The deadlines for follow-up doses depend on the vaccine, follow Table 2 of the Catch-Up Immunization Schedule: Click Here
As a child care program/provider you need to:
- Review and update your current policies and procedures regarding accepting new children.
- If you have a child in care with a religious exemption:
- advise parents of the new law
- require them to come into compliance with the above timeline
- Update any child's current medical statement & immunizations who had a previous non-medical exemption.
- Review all current children's medical statements & immunizations to confirm children are following the recommended immunization schedule. If a child is not up to date, follow the catch-up immunization schedule.
- Be diligent and work with parents to ensure all children are vaccinated as per schedule.
What you need to know:
- Children who receive special education services are included in this law.
- ONLY children who have valid medical exemptions are not affected. Click Here for More Information
- There is no appeal process for parents if their children are attending child care programs. Child care programs/providers must be in compliance with all applicable laws.
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Container Baby Syndrome
A "container baby" is a newborn baby or young infant who is placed in a container, such as a car seat, bouncy seat, exersaucer, swings, stroller, etc. for an excessive amount of time in a given day. "Container baby syndrome" is the name used to describe a range of conditions caused by a baby or infant spending too much time in such containers. These conditions can cause movement, cognitive, and social interaction problems, and may even cause deformity.
Child care programs should be following the OCFS regulations to prevent container baby syndrome.
1.7 Program Requirements
(a)
(2) When care is provided to infants less than six months of age, the daily schedule must include short supervised periods of time during which the awake infant is placed on his or her stomach, back or side allowing them to move freely and interact socially, thus developing motor skills and social skills
.
(l) Except while sleeping, awaking or going to sleep, an infant must not be left in a crib, playpen or other confined space for more than 30 minutes at any one time. Other than at meals or snack time, a child must not be left in a high chair for longer than 15 minutes.
(m) Children may not sleep or nap in car seats, baby swings, strollers, infant seats or bouncy seats unless otherwise prescribed by a health care provider. Should a child fall asleep in one of these devices, he or she must be moved to a crib/cot or other approved sleeping surface.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against routine sleeping in sitting devices for infants and a new study shows why.
Click here and share this feature with your parents from The Today Show:
Car seat danger: Babies shouldn't sleep in car seats when not traveling
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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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Regulations Reminder: 414.5 (F)- Pool
Barriers must exist to prevent children from gaining access to unsafe areas. Such areas include, but are not limited to, swimming pools, drainage ditches, wells, ponds, or other bodies of open water, holes, wood and coal burning stoves, fireplaces, pellet stoves, permanently installed gas space heaters, or any other unsafe area
.
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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE COUNCIL
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A Night to Remember: Inaugural Early Education Hall of Heroes
What a great turnout at the first Early Education Hall of Heroes! The event was held on the first evening of summer at Mercy College's rotunda. The night was full of celebration, laughter and most importantly - honoring our dedicated early educators.
We're thrilled to have celebrated with over 200 members of our very special early care and education community. We thank all the hardworking professionals who care for and educate Westchester's young children! Thanks again to our sponsors and journal advertisers.
Please view the event gallery on our website or Facebook page and the electronic journal
here.
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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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Save the Date: We're Teaming Up with the Westchester Chapter of NYSAEYC
for the 2019 Fall Early Childhood Conference
Whether you're a teacher, assistant teacher, director, or educational coordinator, brand new or veteran, there's something for you at this year's fall conference. The funding for the conference is provided by The Westchester County Office for Women and the New York State Association for the Education of Young Children (NYAEYC).
The 2019 Fall Early Childhood Conference will be held at Shaarei Tikvah Synagogue in Scarsdale, NY from 8:30am to 1:00pm.
Brochure & Registration information will
be available in September.
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Welcome New & Renewed
Child Care Programs!
Renewed
Welcome New CACFP Participants
Jacquelin Duran- Castillo
Blanca Schelmetty
Stacy Vinson
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Keeping Cool in the Summer
The temperature is rising but there are fun ways to stay cool!
ICE
Freeze water in different sized containers from ice cube trays to large mixing bowls or even a bundt pan. Put the ice into a water table or pan on a table and watch the fun.
ICE-POP CHALK
Mix together equal parts of cornstarch and water. Add washable paint (just enough to have a bright color). Freeze in ice-pop molds. Let the children paint outside on a sidewalk or fence (that you don't mind gets painted - the paint may wash off the children but not easily off a surface.).
MAKE ICE CREAM in a PLASTIC BAG - (This really works!)
This recipe is enough for one child, so that every one can make their own.
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 4 cups crushed ice
- 4 tablespoons salt
- 2 quart size Ziploc bags
- 1 gallon size Ziploc freezer bag
- a hand towel or gloves to keep fingers from freezing as well!
Mix the milk, vanilla and sugar together in one of the quart size bags. Seal tightly, allowing as little air to remain in the bag as possible. Too much air left inside may force the bag open during shaking. Place this bag inside the other quart size bag, again leaving as little air inside as possible and sealing well. By double-bagging, the risk of salt and ice leaking into the ice cream is minimized. Put the two bags inside the gallon size bag and fill the bag with ice, then sprinkle salt on top. Again let all the air escape and seal the bag. Wrap the bag in the towel or put your gloves on, and shake and massage the bag, making sure the ice surrounds the cream mixture. Five to eight minutes is adequate time for the mixture to freeze into ice cream.
PAINT with WATER
Give children a bucket of water and different sized paintbrushes and paint rollers - wide "grown-up" ones are so much fun. Let them "paint" everything!! No stains and no mess and even infants who can sit up can join the fun.
HAVE a "CAR" WASH
Wash the toy cars, wash the bikes, and wash the wagons. Give children large sponges and let them wash all of your vehicles.
PLAY in the SPRINKLER
You don't need a pool to get wet and have a great time.
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Screening Under the Stars
The Council will be there, come say hello!
When
: Friday, July 12th, 2019
Where:
Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla
Cost: Free
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Butterfly Count
When
: Saturday, July 6th, 10am
Where: Teatown Lake Reservation, Ossining
Cost: Free
For more information, Click here
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- New OCFS Regs
- A Night of Honor: 2019 Early Ed Hall of Heroes
- Community Fun
- Container Baby Syndrome
- 2019 Mid-Year Membership
- 2019 Annual "Dream Big" Celebration
- 2019 Fall Early Childhood Conference
- Screening Under the Stars
- 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)
Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019
Friday, August 30th, 2019
Early Closing (12:30pm)
Friday, July 12th, 2019
All Day
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.
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, Jessica Cardenas!
We are very excited to welcome Jessica Cardenas as our new Bi-lingual CACFP Case Manager. If you have any questions regarding the food program, please contact her at (914)761-3456 x 167.
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Welcome, Katherine Mancini!
We are very excited to welcome Katherine Mancini as our Quality Specialist Nurse for the Babies Step Forward program. Katherine will provide a range of technical assistance, training, and support services to family provider programs in the Babies Step Forward Family Provider Network to improve program quality and meet Early Head Start performance standards.
You may reach her at (914) 761-3456 x 159.
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Congratulations to Mabelyn on her new position. She will continue to work with our legally exempt providers and will now also join the CACFP department. If you have questions about the Child and Adult Food Program (CACFP) please contact her at (914)761-3456 x 110.
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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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We Have Books
to Give Away!
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 or 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
Please provide the following information when you call or email:
- Name of program
- Type of program (Center, Family Child Care, Group Family Child Care, School-Age, Legally Exempt)
- Phone number and address
- Total number of children enrolled including the number of infants/toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children.
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FREE Traffic Safety Programs for Summer Campers
The Westchester County Traffic Safety Office is offering a variety of free educational activities in the following areas: bicycle safety, pedestrian safety, school bus safety and child car seat/booster seat safety.
The workshops will include fun activities and educational materials.
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Score Westchester
This organization provides free resources for small business owners. They have a variety of educational workshops in business plans, marketing, finance, insurance and more.
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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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Empowering Teachers
Social Justice at School: Making Room for the Complex Personal Identities of All Children
July 8-11, 2019
Empowering Teachers is a 4-day intensive program for educators and graduate students at any stage in their careers who are working with children in early childhood, elementary, and middle school settings. The program's general focus is on shared experiences, reflection on one's own practice, mutual support, and exploration of ways to maintain the child as the center of the educational process through experiential workshops and discussion with experts and colleagues in the field.
This program is limited to 20 participants in order to create a more intimate atmosphere and encourage connections. The Empowering Teachers Program will include:
- Small working groups meeting throughout the week to share their reflections and practices
- A series of experiential workshops that are both stimulating and fun
- Colleagues from across the New York City Metropolitan area and beyond who work with students of varied ages
- Sarah Lawrence faculty and guest presenters
- A chance to reflect, experience, and collaborate in a relaxed environment on a beautiful campus
- Participation for two years in an ongoing consideration of how to keep childhood alive at school and children meaningfully connected to the physical and social world and their imaginations in this era of standardization.
Program Location:
Sarah Lawrence College, Wrexham Living Room
45 Wrexham Road
Yonkers, NY 10708
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 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 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?
Donut Apples
INGREDIENTS
- 12 oz. cream cheese, softened, cut into thirds
- 2 tsp. honey, divided
- 1/2 c. melted chocolate
- 2 drops pink food coloring
- 3 apples
- Assorted sprinkles, for decorating
DIRECTIONS
- Divide cream cheese among three small bowls. In one bowl, add 1-teaspoon honey. In another bowl, add melted chocolate. In the last bowl, add remaining teaspoon honey and pink food coloring. Stir each bowl together until combined.
- Slice apples and use a biscuit or cookie cutter to hollow out centers.
- Spread mixtures on apple slices and top with sprinkles.
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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