Items filtered by date: November 2017

Donor/Supporter Newsletters

The Council sends newsletters to donors and supporters.

• 2023 Winter Newsletter
• 2022 Winter Newsletter
• 2021 Winter Newsletter
• 2021 Spring Newsletter
• 2019 Winter Newsletter
• 2018 Winter Newsletter
• 2017 Winter Newsletter
• 2017 Fall Newsletter
• 2017 Spring Newsletter
• 2016 Spring Newsletter

Parent Connections Newsletters

The Council provides e-newsletter for parents.

• September/October 2021: COVID Updates & Resources, COVID & Child Care, Child Care Referrals & Resources, and more!
• July/August 2021: COVID Updates & Resources, COVID & Child Care, Child Care Referrals & Resources, and more!
• May 2021: COVID Updates & Resources, COVID & Child Care, Child Care Referrals & Resources, and more!
• April 2021: COVID Updates & Resources, COVID & Child Care, Child Care Referrals & Resources, and more!
• February 2021: COVID Updates & Resources, COVID & Child Care, Child Care Referrals & Resources, and more!
• January 2021: COVID Updates & Resources, COVID & Child Care, Child Care Referrals & Resources, and more!
• July 2020: Parent Guide to Child Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Be prepared, Westchester DSS Subsidy Program Update, and more!
• March 2020: Social Distancing: This is Not a Snow Day, New way of interacting... Video Chatting, Stuck at home with young kids due to the coronavirus? Here's what to do-and not to do, and more!
• February 2020: Why hand washing really could slow down and epidemic, Where do kids with disabilities go for child care, Discipline and Limit Setting, and more!
• January 2020: How your caregiver should handle a tantrum, Screen Used Tied to Children's Brain Development, Free Tax Preparation, and more!

Provider Newsletters

The Council sends e-newsletter for child care providers.

• December 2021: Take Advantage of These Great Trainings, Regulations Reminder: Face Cover, Let’s Make Wearing Masks Fun, and more!
• November 2021: Market Rates Telephone Survey of 2021, Take Advantage of These Great Trainings, Mat Trainings Are Back at the Council, and more!
• October 2021: COVID Updates & Resources, Don't Miss Out On These Great Trainings, Love Children? Consider a Career in Child Care, and more!
• September 2021: COVID Updates & Resources, Don't Miss Out On These Great Trainings, You Could Have Your CDA Credential in a Year, and more!
• August 2021: Child Care Professionals: Help Is on the Way, COVID Updates & Resources, Special Two Part: Child Development Curriculum Institute, and more!
• July 2021: Apply For The NYS Essential Workers Child Care Scholarship, COVID Updates & Resources, Take Advantage Of This Great Training, and more!
• June 2021: COVID Updates & Resources, It's Our Job To Keep Children Safe, Take Advantage Of These Training Opportunities, and more!
• May 2021: COVID Updates & Resources, Make Sure Your Surroundings Are Safe For Children, Professional Development Opportunities, and more!
• April 2021: COVID Updates & Resources, Be On The Lookout, Take Advantage Of These Amazing Trainings, and more!
• March 2021: COVID Updates & Resources, Be Careful, New OCFS Training Category, and more!
• February 2021: COVID Updates & Resources, Protect Yourself, Professional Development Opportunities, and more!
• January 2021: COVID Updates & Resources, Start Fresh in the New Year With These Exciting Trainings, Regulation Reminders: 416.7(H), 417.7(H), 418-1.7(K), 418-2.7(H) Weather, and more!

1.  Receive a link to view and update your profile

You can review and update your profile that is supplied to families. To request a link to your profile contact our R&R Database Administrator at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or leave a message on (914)761-3456 x117.

2. Call Us at 914-761-3456 ext 117

Our R&R Database Administrator will be able to update your information immediately on the phone. This service is available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

2023 PUBLIC POLICY AGENDA - OUR VISION:

Equitable access to high quality early learning programs so that all children can realize their dreams and potential, all parents can work and advance in their careers, and our community has a skilled and productive workforce.

WHERE WE ARE NOW:  

• Several rounds of federal COVID relief for child care delivered critical child care financial assistance to parents, especially first responders and essential workers and operating support to child care and after school businesses.
• NYS expanded eligibility for child care financial assistance significantly, raising the income cap from 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) to 300% - a single parent with child can now earn $54,930, up from $36,620.
• Westchester County went even further by funding child care scholarships up to 400% FPL, equal to $73,240 for a single parent with child.
• The Biden Administration’s plan to reform child care/prek funding via its Build Back Better Bill faltered; child care was left out of the Reconciliation Bill entirely.
• The extensive federal help for child care was a band-aid for a broken system, which remains; child care employers are unable to fill vacancies and thus unable to enroll children.
• Continuity of caregiving is fundamental to quality child care, completely undermined by the high turnover which continues to worsen. 

 WHAT WE NEED TO DO:

• Ignite the commitment to build the child care system the U.S. needs, and which exists in virtually every other developed nation.

 WHAT WE ARE CALLING FOR:

 More investment at every level of government so that…

   Westchester

• The Westchester Works Child Care Scholarship Program is renewed for families up to 400% FPL and opened up for families involved in job search activities.
• Enrollment of children experiencing homelessness in child care assistance is increased.
• The parent share is reduced from 10% to 1% of income over the Federal Poverty Level.

   NYS

• Adopt the Universal Child Care Act.
• PreK is available throughout NYS at at minimum of $10,000 per full-time slot and in a range of settings that accommodate working parents’ schedules.
• New strategies are adopted to reduce the disproportionate explusion/suspension of children of color from child care and PreK settings.
• Employers utilize the NYS Employer Child Care Tax Credit Program.

   U.S.

• The American Families Plan makes child care free or affordable for millions of families and provides free PreK throughout the nation
• The Universal Child Care and Early Learning Act further expands child care access and achieves wage and benefit parity for the child care workforce with local schools

More private investment of funds and talent from individuals, businesses and foundations so that…

• The Council continues to award child care scholarships annually to working parents
• Innovative business models are developed to expand child care options for parents, lower child care costs and increase program quality

More coordinated planning and integration of systems, funding streams and regulations so that…

• Regional Economic Development Councils integrate child care planning into economic development planning
• Child care is valued as part of the larger educational system with increased collaboration with school systems

The Child Care Council of Westchester recently completed two separate surveys, of Westchester parents and Westchester employers, which together paint a clear picture of the child care-related challenges facing our county.

Respondents:

• 715 families: geographically and economically diverse
• 41 employers: for- and non-profit

Of the Westchester employers who responded to our survey, 75% find that child care issues result in absenteeism or productivity loss among employees. Even so, 98% of employers report that child care issues are handled on a case-by-case or ad-hoc basis, rather than in a more formal way.

Westchester’s working parents agree that child care issue affect their work: 50% of parents surveyed report that child care has impacted their job in the past year, causing them to:

• Call out - 68%
• Leave early - 65%
• Arrive late - 51%
• Feel distracted at work - 49%
• Feel unproductive at work - 25%
• Cut back working hours - 20%

429 parents say that child care impacted their job in the last year, due to child care issues that include:

• lack of child care
• unreliability
• inability to pay for child care
• worry about quality of care or safety

The bottom line: Both employers and employees recognize that lack of quality, affordable, reliable child care negatively affects the workplace, yet employers offer few parent-friendly benefits other than mandated maternity leave, despite their general belief that doing so would be positive for their organizations and their employees.

The Child Care Council can help! Our professional staff work with employers and directly with parents to provide resource and referral information related to finding, evaluating and paying for child care.

Read more on the Council's Parent Child Care Survey.

Read more on the Employer’s Report.

Government Funding

Child care continues to struggle in the U.S. While the child care workforce has seen some growth in wages, vacancies and turnover remain high, making a demanding profession that much more difficult for those who remain.

NEW YORK STATE

The 24-25 NYS budget contained some good news on child care, and a significant disappointment.    

• An effort to secure $1.2 billion for the child care workforce compensation fund failed.  The Governor’s original proposal of $280 mil, federal funding that was unspent from the prior year, was all that remained in the final budget.  The workforce grants will thus be smaller this year than in previous years at a time when workforce shortages plague the sector.
• State dollars will be used to maintain expansion of the Child Care Assistance Program, as federal funding comes to an end.
• Providers serving families with early morning, evening and weekend hours will be eligible for a rate increase.
• A pilot program offering financial assistance to working families otherwise barred from CCA due to immigration status was refunded with a small increase.
• The child care resource and referral network and its infant toddler mental health programs received an increase in funding.
• A feasibility study on universal afterschool statewide has been funded. 

 

The Governor’s Child Care Availability Task Force report was released shortly after the budget was passed.  It is an ambitious roadmap to a stronger, more accessible child care system in NYS.  To view the report click here.

 

Pattern for Progress, a regional community development nonprofit that provides research and analysis and convenes groups for discussion and problem-solving, turned its attention to child care in the Mid-Hudson Valley.  Its report documents an alarming reduction in child care businesses and capacity in recent years, with only Westchester County holding steady.  To view their report, click here or their slides from a recent virtual presentation hosted by the Council and its regional CCR&R partners click here.

 

The Empire State Child Care Campaign (ESCCC) released a list of legislative actions on child care to be taken in the session that ends in early June.  To see that list click here.

Westchester County

In its 2024 budget, Westchester County again distinguished itself in the state by continuing to fund the Westchester Works Child Care Scholarship Program.  With Child Care Assistance eligibility rising to 85% SMI (roughly 350% FPL), Westchester Works income eligibility was increased to 500% FPL.   For info on Westchester Works click here.

United States

A $1 billion increase has been approved for child care and Head Start.  While any increase is good news, the need is far greater.  The United States investment of public funding in early learning continues to lag that of every industrialized nation.

YOU can help TO BUILD THE CHILD CARE SYSTEM WE NEED!

We believe that more parent/caregiver voices calling for greater child care funding could be such a powerful force!  The Council’s Parent Advisory Council is looking for members who care about children getting off to the best possible start, families being able to work without worry about their children, and a child care workforce that is compensated like the valuable professionals they are.   So join the Parent Advisory Council.  For more info click here or contact Executive Director Kathy Halas,

If you are not a member of the Empire State Campaign for Child Care (ESCCC), an increasingly robust and vocal group of child care advocates, parents, and early childhood professionals, etc., sign up today. The Council has been an active participant in the Campaign since its inception and we urge everyone to get involved.

To talk about available opportunities, or to sign up for our Advocacy Alerts, contact Executive Director Kathy Halas at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 1-914-761-3456 x 102.

keeping up with child care in the news

To view the report that documented the need for the Westchester Works Child Care Scholarship Program, Access to Child Care: The Key to Economic Recovery in Westchester Click here

You can also take another look at Sen. Jabari Brisport's report on his child care listening tour last year or his bill, the "Universal Child Care Act." You can view both here.

If you are not a member of the Empire State Campaign for Child Care (ESCCC), an increasingly robust and vocal group of child care advocates, parents, and early childhood professionals, etc., sign up today. The Council has been an active participant in the Campaign since its inception and we urge everyone to get involved.

To talk about available opportunities, or to sign up for our Advocacy Alerts, contact Executive Director Kathy Halas at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 1-914-761-3456 x 102.

Before you choose a child care provider, you may want to check whether there is a history of violations. While it’s not uncommon for programs to have an occasional regulatory violation, ongoing or serious violations are cause for concern.

To check the compliance history of a program, visit the NYS Office of Children and Family Services website or call the Spring Valley Regional Office at (845) 708-2400.

To check the specific complaint history of any registered family and school-age program in Westchester County, call the Child Care Council at (914) 761-3456 x123.

To Discuss a Concern or File A Complaint

If you have concerns about a child care provider or want to file a complaint, call the Child Care Council at (914) 761-3456 and dial 0 to be immediately connected to a staff member. To report suspected child abuse or maltreatment, call The Child Abuse Hotline: (800) 342-3720.

Color Palette:

Sample Asset:

PDF File

Brand Personality Matrix:

SCARSDALE, NY (March 16, 2015) – The Child Care Council of Westchester - a nonprofit resource organization that works to ensure every child in Westchester has access to quality early care and education – announces the 2015 recipients of its Champions for Children Awards: Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Family Services of Westchester, and Sarah Lawrence College. Honorees will be recognized at the Annual Awards Breakfast, sponsored by Polaris Properties, on Friday, June 5, 2015 from 8:00 to 10:00 am at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Tarrytown, NY. Tara Rosenblum of News 12 Westchester will be Master of Ceremonies.

There are many wonderful resources available for families and child care providers in the Westchester Community.

Local Resources:

•  211
  A "right now" safety net and resources for the Hudson Valley community. They connect individuals from basic to critical resources; such as heating, food, shelter, tax assistance, mortgage questions, natural disaster and personal crisis calls. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in mulitple languages. And calls are absolutely confidential
•  Westchester County Website
  Offices, programs, services and calendars of events offered by Westchester County government.
•  Westchester Children's Association
  An organization with a mission to improve the lives of Westchester’s children by shaping policies and programs to meet their needs, and by keeping the well-being of Westchester’s children at the top of the public agenda.
•  The New York State myBenefits site
  Connects families to public benefit programs that can improve families' overall economic situation and free resources that can be used for child care. The link has a pre-screening tool to see what health and human services programs families may be eligible for.
  
•  Westchester Library System
  Provides information about the county's public libraries. Site also offers online book catalogs, research links, homework help and library news.
•  Early Intervention Program
  Services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families.
•  Family Ties
  Provides support and services to families of children with social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties.
•  Need Food? Need Food?
  Feeding Westchester provides a list of food pantries, soup kitchens, and other resources for food for hungry people.
•  Neighbors Link
  An organization with a mission to strengthen the whole community through the healthy integration of immigrants.
• Concern or Complaint about Child Care
  The Child Care Council of Westchester will take your information if you have concerns or want to make a complaint about a child care program. Call (914) 761-3456 and press “0”to be connected to the operator. You will be transferred to someone who can speak to you directly.
• You may also call the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (NYS OCFS) for complaints about child care programs. Call (800) 732-5207 to make a complaint call.
• Concern about the wellbeing of a child/Child Abuse Hotline
  To report suspected child abuse or maltreatment, call The Child Abuse Hotline: (800) 342-3720.

Parent Resources:

•  American Academy of Pediatrics
  A comprehensive website that includes health tips, articles on current research, advocacy information, activities and much more.
•  NYS Parent Guide 
  A parent's guide to building a nurtuting, healthy relationship with your child.
•  text4babyFree text messaging services for pregnant women and new moms. Sent three times a week, texts include information on having a healthy pregnancy and baby.
•  A Driver's Manual for NEW Dads A parent's guide for dads.
•  Daily Vroom Phone App
  An app that helps busy parents make the most of the time they have. Turn fun, everyday moments into brain building moments. Vroom turns shared moments into brain building moments. Whether it's mealtime, bath time, or anytime in between, there are always ways to nuture our children's growth.  
•  Born Learning
  Is designed as a tool for long-lasting community change that supports young children. It has three cornerstones:
  • Awareness: Providing important information about how young children learn
  • Education: Providing easy, fun action steps that parents, grandparents and caregivers can use very day
  • Action: Providing a visible platform for public policy and action
  The goal of Born Learning is to inspire everyone who impacts young children to make the best possible decision to boost school readiness. Born Learning provides the tools to make long-lasting community change.
•  Child Care Aware of America
  Helps parents find information on locating child care in their community.
•  Children at Risk
  Consequences for School Readiness and Beyond
•  Children’s Defense Fund
  Provides a strong, effective voice for all children of America, paying particular attention to the needs of the poor and minority children.
•  Consumer Product Safety Commission
  Provides lists of the latest product recalls.
•  Families and Work Institute
  Information on work-life issues and concerns confronting workers and employers.
•  Head Start
  Information from Administration for Children and Families (ACF) on finding a program in your state, getting your child into Head Start, starting a Head Start program, and resources for families and communities.
•  Lead Awareness Program
  Information on how to protect your child from lead poisoning.
•  NYS Parent Education Partnership
  All children should grow up in nurturing families. The mission of the New York State Parenting Education Partnership (NYSPEP) is to make that happen, by improving parenting skills and behavior through a strong, statewide network.
  Parent Helpline 1-800-CHILDREN (1-800-244-5373) available everyday 9am to 10pm
  A caring and confidential Helpline where parents can get information and referrals to places in their community that can help.
•  Zero to Three
  Zero to Three is a national organization that provides child development information for parents and professional regarding infants and toddlers.

Professional Resources:

•  NYS Office of Children and Family Services
  Web site contains information relating to childcare in New York State, which includes registering and licensing the different types of childcare programs. It is also a resource for obtaining documents associated with registering and licensing the programs. There is information on New York State regulatory laws governing all childcare programs as well as their compliance history.

• PROVIDERS NETWORK - Connect with other Family and Group Family Providers. The Network meets 4 times a year for breakfast and a training. Contact Sarah Rupert, CCCW Infant Toddler Specialist, at 914-761-3456 ext. 107 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

• WESTCHESTER EARLY CHILDHOOD DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION - The Association meets the third Tuesday of the month from 1:00pm - 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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.for details.

• Child Care Provider Handbook ~ A Providers Manual for the Child Care Subsidy Program
  Contains all the information providers will need to understand how the subsidy system works and best practices for providers and parents to be successful in working with the subsidy program
•  The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
  Founded in 1926, The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is the world's largest organization working on behalf of young children with nearly 80,000 members, a national network of more than 300 state and local Affiliates, and a growing global alliance of like-minded organizations.
•  Zero To Three
  Zero To Three is a national, nonprofit organization that informs, trains, and supports professionals, policymakers, and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers. Their mission is to promote the health and development of infants and toddlers.
•  The Educational Incentive Program (EIP)
  EIP is a scholarship program funded by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (NYS OCFS). Its purpose is to assist childcare providers in paying for the professional development training and education they need to provide quality care to children.
•  The Medication Administration and Health and Safety Training Rebate Program
  Funding is available to help childcare providers obtain professional development and education. In addition, rebates are available to help offset the cost of MAT and Health and Safety training.
•  Cornell Cooperative Extension
  The Cornell Cooperative Extension educational system enables people to improve their lives and communities through partnerships that put experience and research knowledge to work. 
•  Consumer Product Safety Commission
  The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
•  Children’s Defense Fund
  The Children's Defense Fund (CDF) is a non-profit child advocacy organization that has worked relentlessly for over 35 years to ensure a level playing field for all children.
•  Early Childhood Director’s Network The Children's Defense Fund (CDF) is a non-profit child advocacy organization that has worked relentlessly for over 35 years to ensure a level playing field for all children.

School Age Resources:

•  NYS for Youth Success
  New York State for Youth Success is a leading voice of the afterschool profession dedicated to the development, education and care of children and youth during their out-of-school hours.
•  The National Institute on Out of School Time (NIOST)
  NIOST is an action-research institute that provides a national perspective on the critical issues facing the out-of-school time field as well as interactive, research based training opportunities.
•  Afterschool Alliance
  The Afterschool Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of afterschool programs and advocating for quality, affordable programs for all children.
• School-Age Director's Network (SADN)
   The Network meets the second Tuesday of the month from 10:00am - 12:00pm. Contact Kim De Salvo, Ardsley Children’s Center, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.and Joanne Saporta, Chappaqua Children's Workshop, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..