Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc., a child care resource and referral organization for parents, child care providers, employers, and community organizations.

Participation in workshops and other professional development efforts is an important part of providing quality care and education. New York State Office of Children and Family Services regulations require staff to receive 30 hours of training within each program’s registration period (typically, two years) with 15 hours completed in the first six months of employment. The following categories are required:

	Principles of childhood development, including the appropriate supervision of children, meeting the needs of children enrolled in the program with physical or emotional challenges and behavior management and discipline.
	Nutrition and health needs of children
	Program development
	Safety and security procedures, including communication between parents and staff

	Business record maintenance and management
	Child abuse and maltreatment identification and prevention
	Statutes and regulations pertaining to child/school age care
	Statutes and regulations pertaining to child abuse and maltreatment
	Education and information on the identification, diagnosis, and prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome

The Council’s Training Department offers a variety of options to help you meet your training requirements and enhance the quality of care in your program. In January and July we publish a training calendar with workshops in the required areas of training. Workshops are offered at different times of day and in different areas of the County.

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The Council offers individual workshops as well as larger, full day conferences at different times throughout the year. National and regional conferences are also a wonderful opportunity to attend workshops that are led by recognized experts in the field and make new and renewed connections with your colleagues in the child care community.

The Council offers regularly scheduled workshops for anyone interested in opening a child care center, a school age program or becoming a family child care provider.

Since January 31, 2005, the Office of Family and Children Services has required that all child care providers who choose to administer medication to children in a child care setting, must fulfill additional training and requirements. Exceptions to this requirement are over-the-counter topical ointments, sunscreen and topically applied insect repellant.

Scholarships, funds and training assistance are availble.

If you’re interested in pursuing the next level of professional growth, consider national accreditation for your program or a professional credential for an individual staff person. By taking advantage of these opportunities, you can expand your knowledge in the field and/or achieve recognition of a high quality program.