Items filtered by date: November 2015
We're in! The Child Care Council is Once Again a Proud #GivingTuesday Participant
Our goal this year is to raise $10,000 on Giving Tuesday - December 1, 2015 - to support our child care scholarship campaign, the Early Opportunity Fund. We have many testimonials from scholarship recipients who tell us - sometimes through tears - about the relief they feel being able to go to work without worry, knowing their child is safe, loved and learning. We want to give this gift to more families!
2015 Westchester Child Care Report Card
Do we have the child care and after school programs families need?
Whether you are an employer, a community leader, an elected official or work in the Westchester child care/after school field, it's important to know how our early care and education community is doing. Join us to hear the latest data on supply, cost and quality and for the results of our latest parent survey on their child care experiences. White Plains Public Safety Commissioner David E. Chong will talk about why access to programs for children and youth matters to law enforcement.
Date: Friday, October 30, 2015
Time: 8:45am-10:00am
Location: YWCA of White Plains, 515 North Street, White Plains
Register: Email Candice Lyerly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call her at 914.761.3456 ext. 152
Child Care Council Receives Grant from People's United Community Foundation to Support Early Literacy
The Council received a first-time grant of $2,500 from People's United Community Foundation to support its Early Literacy Family Book Bag Program, which provides child care centers and family child care providers with bags of books to lend to children in their programs, to encourage family reading time and promote early literacy. The Council was recognized, along with 17 other local grant recipients, at a breakfast event hosted by the Foundation.
"Our Book Bag Program plays a critical role in early literacy for Westchester's children - giving them the opportunity to develop and share a love of reading and storytelling with their parents and siblings outside of school," said Child Care Council Executive Director Kathy Halas. "We are so appreciative for People's recognition and support of this early learning initiative."
Participating child care programs also receive training and technical assistance from Council specialists to build and enrich the early literacy experiences they provide to the children in their care. The Council has distributed approximately 2,000 books to child care programs and providers since the Family Book Bag Program was established in 2012.
Child Care Available to Low Income Families
Openings for Babies Step Forward Available Throughout Westchester
Infants and toddlers from low income working families in Westchester have new opportunities to participate in Early Head Start child care programs thanks to a federal grant designed to improve early childhood development. Babies Step Forward openings – for children ages 6 weeks to 2 years, 9 months, including those with special needs – are available at child care centers and group family care providers countywide. Parents must be working and either receiving, or eligible to receive, a child care subsidy through Westchester County.
Babies Step Forward offers responsive, relationship-based care and developmentally-appropriate curriculum. Participating families also receive additional benefits, including access to a disability specialist, social worker and nurse, free diapers and wipes, and other ongoing support.
Full day care is available at the following child care centers; parents should contact the centers directly if interested:
Greyston Learning Center, 68 Warburton Avenue, Yonkers NY 10701
(914) 376-7200
Tot’s Place, 8 Bent Avenue, Port Chester NY 10573
(914) 939-1617
Mt. Kisco Child Care Center, 95 Radio Circle, Mt. Kisco NY 10549
(914) 241-2135
Lanza Learning Center, 150 Woodworth Avenue, Yonkers NY 10701
(914) 378-1473
Group family child care for days, nights and weekends is also available through Babies Step Forward, in the following locations: Elmsford, Mt. Vernon, New Rochelle, Ossining, Peekskill, Port Chester, White Plains and Yonkers. For more information about these options, contact Laura Cleare at the Child Care Council of Westchester: (914) 761-3456 x169 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Parent Education & Community Resources
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 you need.
Parent Trainings, Workshops and Support Groups
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.
Council Workshops Available for Parent Groups
Parent Connections Newsletter
Several times a year the Child Care Council publishes an e-newsletter for parents, containing news, advice and upcoming events.
See past issues of Parent Connections
Community Resources
The Council collaborates with a wide variety of local organizations that offer education and support services for parents and families.
Community partners offering parent education
County, state and national resources for parents and educators
Born Learning
The Child Care Council of Westchester and United Way of Westchester and Putnam promote Born Learning, a public engagement campaign dedicated to helping parents and caregivers create early, fun learning opportunities for young children to ensure school readiness and continued success throughout their lives.
Learn more about the importance of “Born Learning”
Health and Safety
When it comes to keeping your child well, there’s a lot to keep up with. So, we’ve assembled a few basics here.
From toys to car seats to beds, numerous items made for children are recalled each month for safety reasons. Check this link regularly:
Learn the basics about Seasonal Influenza (aka “The Flu”)
Knowing basic CPR and First Aid can be a lifesaver. Find a class near you:
2015 Fall Professional Development Calendar
Your "Core Body of Knowledge" begins with training at the Child Care Council of Westchester!
The Council's new Fall Training Calendar offers a variety of trainings for early care and education professionals. We can help you expand your skills, improve the quality of care you provide to children, and meet NYS licensing requirements.
Check out a sneak peek of topic areas in store this fall:
- Core Body of Knowledge: New York State's Core Competencies for Early Childhood Educators (for Directors)
- We Are All in This Together: Professionalism in Early Care & Education
- Building Social-Emotional & Positive Behavioral Skills in Early Childhood Settings
- The 3 “R’s” of Infant Toddler Learning
- Meeting Preschool Learning Standards Through Creative Art Experiences
Covid-19 Information and Resources For Child Care Providers
VIRTUAL TRAINING
We are offering a large variety of OCFS-approved virtual trainings for child care providers. Click here to learn more and register. For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
DISTIRIBUTION OF SANITIZER, DIAPERS AND OTHER AVAILABLE SUPPLIES
Diapers and other supplies are in high demand, and we are working to procure these products for child care programs. If you are in need click here to submit a request. A Council employee will contact you via email to confirm your appointment to pick up the item(s) at the Council office.
INFORMATION ON OCFS REGULATIONS AND COVID-19 GUIDANCE FOR CHILD CARE PROGRAMS
On June 29, 2021, licensed and registered child care programs received notification that the June 7, 2021 "Interim Guidance for Child Care, Day Camp, and Overnight Camp Programs During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency" issured by the New York State Department of Health was no longer in effect as the state's public health emergency declaration had been rescinded.
Child care programs were directed to follow the current OCFS regulations. In addition, child care programs are free to continue to adhere to the archived June 7, 2021 NYSDOH Interim Guidance for Child Care and Summer Camps or implement other health precautions for their staff and children such as requiring masks, cohorting, and/or six feet of social distancing. However, they are not required to.
OCFS Child Care Regulations - updated January 6, 2021 – English and Spanish
6-28-2021 Dear Provider Letter
July 9, 2021 - CDC - COVID-19 Guidance for Operating Early Care and Education/Child Care Programs
English - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/child-care-guidance.html
Spanish – https://espanol.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/child-care-guidance.html
Registration
Spring 2015 Newsletter
Click the link below to view the Council's Spring 2015 Newsletter.
Included in this issue:
- Early Opportunity Fund
- Spanish Quality Improvement Program Fosters Collaboration
- Children's Legislative Breakfast Recap
- and more!
