Journal ads for Dream Big
Journal ads are a wonderful way to thank and congratulate honorees and support the Child Care Council at Dream Big.
Honoring:
Lifetime Legacy Award
Kathy Halas
Executive Director, Child Care Council of Westchester
Business Visionary Award
Robert Martin Company, LLC
Accepting: Greg Berger, President
Transformative Impact Award
SUNY Westchester Community College
Accepting: Dr. Belinda S. Miles, President
JOURNAL ADS, TICKETS, SPONSORSHIPS
Mid-Hud Child Care: Expensive, Hard to Find and Stressed. Your Help Needed!
Child care program closures and staff turnover, high fees, long waiting lists. Welcome to the world of child care in the Mid-Hudson Valley.
Join us on Tuesday, April 30th at 1pm to hear Pattern for Progress on their new study of child care in the Mid-Hudson Region. Discuss what it will take to fix this service so urgently needed by children, parents/caregivers, and employers for a thriving community.
You're 2 Clicks Away from Making a Difference!
Our children are precious. So are the people who care for and educate them.
Your advocacy is working! Both the Senate and the Assembly added $220 million for the child care workforce. In less than 1 minute you can thank our legislators and urge Governor Hochul to keep this funding in the final budget. Click Here!
You can put more compensation into the pockets of our child care educators.
The Council's new Child Care Survey reveals that Westchester teachers in child care centers earn 44% less than entry-level kindergarten teachers. To see the Salary Survey highlights, Click Here!
For questions and/or more information, contact Kathy Halas at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Mid-Hud Child Care: Expensive, Hard to Find and Stressed. Your Help Needed!
Child care program closures and staff turnover, high fees, long waiting lists. Welcome to the world of child care in the Mid-Hudson Valley.
Join us on Tuesday, April 30th at 1pm to hear Pattern for Progress on their new study of child care in the Mid-Hudson Region. Discuss what it will take to fix this service so urgently needed by children, parents/caregivers, and employers for a thriving community.
Important Measles Information from the Westchester Department of Health
We're Celebrating Week of the Young Child All Month Long!
***Activities provided suggest items that may have high allergens. Be sure to check allergies in your program and use substitutions.***
Potential Food Allergens in Activities
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
We are kicking off our month long celebration with these cool activities. Join us this week in the below activities and few the full list of activities here!
Monday – Freeze Dance
Having a dance party is a great activity for children to get back into the routine of the week. Movement not only promotes physical activity, but it is a great tool to help increase a child’s ability to focus on the next learning activity. All you need is some music and dance moves. Children dance and when the music stops, they freeze until it starts again. There are many variations to this activity and it can be tailored to fit all ages. Find some inspiration here.
Tuesday – Fruit & Veggie Smoothie
Smoothies can be packed with lots of vitamins and nutrients. The best part about making smoothies is that you can put whatever ingredients you like in them. This can be a simple, nutritious breakfast or afternoon snack that the children can help make. Find sample recipes here. Feel free to tailor to your programs needs and be mindful of any allergies in your program.
Wednesday – Write a Story
Have you ever wanted to change the end to your favorite fairytale or create your own version? Well, now is your chance. Gather your children and tell your collective story. Allow children to take turns adding to the story by telling/writing a sentence or two. If your group is not at the writing age, you can have them tell you what happens next and you can write it for them. If you want to get really creative, have the children illustrate the story as well.
Thursday – Fork Stamped Tulips
This is a fun springtime craft for toddlers and preschoolers. With just a few materials, your classroom will be blooming in no time. All you need is paper, pant, forks, and imagination. Once children are done with their tulips, you can use them to cover your bulletin board or hang on the windows. Click here for some guidance.
Friday – Volunteer at a Pantry
Volunteering has a lot of benefits. Some may learn new skills such as life skills, social skills, empathy, self-awareness, develop a sense of purpose, learning to give, and much more. Find a local pantry in your area and share with parents so they may volunteer with their child(ren).
DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS FREE NIGHT FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!
Last year, we held a Night at the Museum event for child care providers at the Westchester Children's Museum. This was a night for providers to spend time with their families in a fun and educational setting. About 70 families attended, with some adults having said that they were enjoying the museum just as much, if not more than their children. We had a terrific time too, just watching the excitement and pleasure on the faces of children and parents alike. We are bringing this event back again! You spend your lives and careers caring for other people’s children, so we are thrilled to invite you to this fun, free event just for you and YOUR family! Join us for an evening at the “Westchester Children’s Museum” to explore playful, creative, hands-on, steam-based leaning for children of all ages. Max 4 tickets per family. Thank you again for your continued support!
We Are Giving Away Money for Great Ideas!
GRANT MONEY UP TO $2000!
DO SOMETHING INNOVATIVE
FOR YOUR WESTCHESTER PROGRAM!
- Do you have an amazing idea for your child care/after school program that needs some resources?
- Is there something you've always wanted to try?
- Have a promising approach that will make great things possible for Westchester children?
Then we encourage you to apply below for a Cate Riley Innovation for Quality Prize. Grants up to $2,000. each will be awarded.
Child care centers, after school programs, family and group family providers, and nursery schools are eligible.
Applications are due by 5PM on Friday, April 12, 2024.
For more info: CLICK HERE!
For an application: CLICK HERE!
For questions, email Anna S. (Kathy Halas' assistant) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.g.
Reminder: New DSS Application
New Child Care Assistance Application
Effective 4/1/2024
The NYS OCFS has developed and distributed a new Child Care Assistance Application. Please share with your families and start using as soon as possible. Be advised that the Westchester County Department of Social Services Child Care Assistance Unit will not accept the prior version of the applications after April 1, 2024.
See below for copies of new applications, instructions, and DSS CCAP Unit Staff List.
All other documents are still required (for example):
- Parent ID
- Proof of child's citizenship or immigration status
- Proof of income
- Work Schedule Form
- Shelter Verification Form
- School Attendance Verification Form
- Child Care Provider Form (Spanish)
NYS OCFS ha creado y proporcionado una nueva solicitud de asistencia para el cuidado infantil. Por favor, compártala y comience a utilizarla con sus familias lo antes posible. Las solicitudes anteriores a la fecha no serán aceptadas por la Unidad de Asistencia de Cuidado Infantil del Departamento de Servicios Sociales del Condado de Westchester después del 1 de abril de 2024.
A continuación, encontrará copias de las nuevas solicitudes, instrucciones y la lista del personal de la unidad de CCAP de DSS.
Child Care Assistance Application - English
Child Care Assistance Application - Spanish
DSS Child Care Assistance Unit Staff List
Just a reminder: The Child Care Council is available to assist your families in applying for child care assistance.
FREE Night at the Museum just for you!
Last year, we held a Night at the Museum event for child care providers at the Westchester Children's Museum. This was a night for providers to spend time with their families in a fun and educational setting. About 70 families attended, with some adults having said that they were enjoying the museum just as much, if not more than their children. We had a terrific time too, just watching the excitement and pleasure on the faces of children and parents alike. We are bringing this event back again! You spend your lives and careers caring for other people’s children, so we are thrilled to invite you to this fun, free event just for you and YOUR family! Join us for an evening at the “Westchester Children’s Museum” to explore playful, creative, hands-on, steam-based leaning for children of all ages. Max 4 tickets per family. Thank you again for your continued support!
