Items filtered by date: November 2015

In our efforts to ensure quality early care and education for every child in Westchester, the Child Care Council offers services to families, child care professionals and employers.

Council Initiative Improves Quality within 194 Child Care Settings in Westchester

A quality child care program ensures the health and safety of children, supports the building of positive relationships, and provides rich opportunities for learning. While many of Westchester's 760 regulated providers are working very hard and care about children, some do not realize how they are falling short.

So, the Child Care Council of Westchester stepped in, and over the course of 5 years, implemented and tracked 15 quality improvement projects with 194 child care center classrooms and family providers in Westchester County, delivering intensive technical assistance, modeling, coaching, training, and resources specific to the needs of each.

The Council utilized the Environmental Rating Scales (ERS) developed by the early childhood experts at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Only 23% of the initial program quality assessment scores were in the good to excellent quality range and 39% were "minimal quality" or worse. After a Council quality improvement specialist worked with the staff at each program over a period of months, the program quality assessment was re-administered, with dramatic results!

97%of participating programs/providers improved their quality scores

80%of the scores were in the good to excellent range

34%of the scores were in the very good to excellent range

Our quality improvement work continues on a regular basis through our extensive services to professional child care providers. Learn more about our services for Child Care Professionals.

The Science: Children are Born Learning

Quality early care and education makes such a tremendous impact on a child's life because, between birth and age five, the brain is extremely responsive to experience.

The messages a child gets during interactions with the environment and those around him/her create synapses ("connections") between neurons ("brain cells"), thus creating the structure of the brain. Synapses that are strengthened through repetition become permanent. The synapses that are not "excited" are pruned away. For example, a child who is rarely spoken to or read to in the early years may have trouble mastering language skills later on.

The Child Care Council of Westchester wants every child in Westchester to develop to his or her full potential by facilitating access to high quality care and education while parents are working.

In good child care situations, children are exposed to warm, loving interactions with caregivers, and talk, sing, read, play and explore objects and physical space – which are the best ways to stimulate brain development and promote the cognitive, language, motor and social-emotional skills that will prepare them for success in school, career and life.

Children are born learning and with the potential to be bright, healthy and successful, and to contribute to their communities. Support the Child Care Council and help us make that a reality.

Did you know that children are born ready to learn, and brain development starts right away? The fact is, interactions and experiences that occur in the earliest years impact every aspect of our children's future, and the roles they will play in their communities.

Quality early care and education means:

Lifelong Better Health

• More physically active
• Improved nutritional habits
• Prevention of costly chronic diseases

Safer Behavior

• Lower incidence of underage drinking, criminal activity and teen pregnancy

Healthy Emotional Development

• Better emotional control
• More social skills and positive peer interaction
• Fewer disruptive behaviors

Academic and Career Success

Increased likelihood of reading on grade level, graduating high school, attending and/or graduating college, and achieving gainful employment

Secretary
DESIGN WITHIN REACH, Division of Herman Miller Brands

Alyce Gorch was pleased to join the board of the Child Care Council of Westchester in Spring of 2020 in an effort to include more voices behind this herculean cause. As a mother of two young children in Westchester; she is passionate about the importance of access to quality child care. She participates as acting Secretary of the Executive Board and sits on both the Public Policy and Fundraising committees. Alyce has worked as a senior project manager within marketing for the Herman Miller Group organization over the last six years.

Account Director
Buzz Creators

Jessica Apicella is an Account Director at Buzz Creators, a Westchester-based boutique public relations, marketing and brand building firm servicing the Metro NY area and beyond. With more than 12 years of experience, she has a strong passion for amplifying each client’s story and creating more buzz for and awareness of their organization, products, and services.

Jessica is responsible for managing the development and implementation of strategic PR and marketing programs for a variety of clients including CareMount Medical, Ridge Hill, Westchester County Association, ProHEALTH Dental, Barrie House Coffee Roasters, Stamford Symphony and more. Jessica also assists in new business development and, along with her team, oversees the firm’s day-to-day client activities, including developing strategic PR campaigns, media relations, social media, writing and editing, graphics design/branding, grand openings and special events, thought leadership, advertising and more. All of which are tailored to support each clients’ individual business goals.

Jessica first dipped her toe in the PR pool back in college, when she started a Digital Media Communications internship at NBC Universal, gaining some great media experience. Jessica moved her career forward at Thompson & Bender, a long-standing PR and marketing firm in Westchester County. There, she gained a wealth of knowledge and experience while growing from a Marketing Coordinator to Director of Marketing, Media and Special Events during her nine-year tenure. She managed day-to-day client relationships, developed marketing plans and managed events to meet the goals of each client.

In 2017, the Business Council of Westchester selected Jessica as a recipient of the “Rising Star: 40 Under 40” award which honors a group of diverse and highly talented individuals based on professional and/or entrepreneurial accomplishments, professional and/or business affiliations, and demonstrated leadership skills.

You won’t find anyone more organized, driven and skilled at multi-tasking then Jessica. She thrives in creative and collaborative environments. When dealing with the fast-paced world of PR, there are always challenges that arise or difficult requests that clients make. However, being able to get creative to make things work is what makes an exceptional marketing professional. One of Jessica’s favorite quotes to find inspiration from when things get difficult is “Nothing is impossible. The word itself says, I’m Possible”- Audrey Hepburn.

Jessica graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA, majoring in both Media & Communications and Psychology. Supporting the local community and fresh food is a big passion of hers, so on weekends you can find her managing the TaSH Farmers Market where she lives in Tarrytown, NY.

GUIDE TO CHILD CARE DURING COVID-19

The health and safety of your child is your top priority. Ensuring your child is safe in child care during the COVID-19 pandemic can be challenging. Here are some guidelines your child care provider should be following to help keep your child safe. Click Here  for Parent’s Guide during the COVID-19 Pandemic or Click Here  for Parent’s Checklist for care during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Find Child Care Now

We are available to help Westchester parents find child care. View the Child Care Map and then call the Referral Department at 914-761-3456 x140 for a personalized referral service based on your family’s needs. This service is FREE. For first responders and health care workers, we will take the additional step of verifying openings of three providers/programs, to save you some time.

Contact a child care counselor who can help you navigate and locate child care during this pandemic: 914-761-3456 ext 140 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Para ver un mapa de cuidado infantil en español, haga clic aquí  O llame al consejo de cuidado infantil para obtener ayuda 914-761-3456 ext 122

Help paying for Child Care

To learn about the cost of care in Westchester, questions to ask potential child care providers, and whether you may qualify for a public subsidy or other financial assistance/resources, click here or contact a child care counselor at 914-761-3456 ext 140 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Learning and Entertainment Resources

Many parents and caretakers are now in the position to entertain and educate children at home. The Council’s child care and professional development specialists have been reviewing online content and have cultivated a list of good resources.

PBS Kids for parents - https://www.pbs.org/parents

Apps for kids - https://www.thebestideasforkids.com/educational-apps-for-kids/

Asks donors to give on December 2 and share their support via social media

SCARSDALE, NY (October 21, 2014) – 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 – will once again participate in #GivingTuesday, a national movement designed to inspire people to support their local communities and create a better future. Taking place on December 2, 2014 to coincide with Thanksgiving and the start of the holiday shopping season, #GivingTuesday is a day of charitable giving, similar to how Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become synonymous with shopping. The Child Care Council’s Board of Directors announced at its September meeting that it will match all #GivingTuesday contributions, up to $2,500.

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Advice

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Changes to Website, Software, and Services
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1. change or remove (temporarily or permanently) the Website or any part of it without notice and you confirm that Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. shall not be liable to you for any such change or removal.

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Links to Third Party Websites
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Copyright

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To the extent permitted by law, Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. will not be liable for any indirect or consequential loss or damage whatever (including without limitation loss of business, opportunity, data, profits) arising out of or in connection with the use of the Website.

Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. makes no warranty that the functionality of the Website will be uninterrupted or error free, that defects will be corrected or that the Website or the server that makes it available are free of viruses or anything else which may be harmful or destructive.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions shall be construed so as to exclude or limit the liability of Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. for death or personal injury as a result of the negligence of Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. or that of its employees or agents.


Indemnity

You agree to indemnify and hold Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. and its employees and agents harmless from and against all liabilities, legal fees, damages, losses, costs and other expenses in relation to any claims or actions brought against Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. arising out of any breach by you of these Terms and Conditions or other liabilities arising out of your use of this Website.

Severability

In the event that any provision of this Agreement is declared by any judicial or other competent authority to be void, voidable, illegal or otherwise unenforceable or indications of the same are received by either you or us from any relevant competent authority, we shall amend that provision in such reasonable manner as achieves the intention of the parties without illegality or, at our discretion, such provision may be severed from this Agreement and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

Applicable Law and Dispute

This Agreement and all matters arising from it are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States, California and whose courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all disputes arising in connection with this Agreement and the place of performance of this Agreement is agreed by you to be United States, California.

Headings

Headings are included in this Agreement for convenience only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

Entire Agreement

These terms and conditions together with any documents expressly referred to in them, contain the entire Agreement between us relating to the subject matter covered and supersede any previous Agreements, arrangements, undertakings or proposals, written or oral: between us in relation to such matters. No oral explanation or oral information given by any party shall alter the interpretation of these terms and conditions. In agreeing to these terms and conditions, you have not relied on any representation other than those expressly stated in these terms and conditions and you agree that you shall have no remedy in respect of any misrepresentation which has not been made expressly in this Agreement.

Introduction
We at Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. are committed to respecting your online privacy and recognize your need for appropriate protection and management of any personally identifiable information ("Personal Information") you share with us.

Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. has established this Online Privacy Policy so that you can understand the care with which we intend to treat your Personal Information.

Personal Information means any information that may be used to identify an individual, including, but not limited to, a first and last name, a home or other physical address and an email address or other contact information, whether at work or at home. In general, you can visit Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc.'s Web pages without telling us who you are or revealing any Personal Information about yourself.

If you choose to provide us with your Personal Information on the Web, we may transfer that Information within Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. or to Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc.'s third-party service providers, across borders, and from your country or jurisdiction to other countries or jurisdictions around the world.

Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. strives to comply with all applicable laws around the globe that are designed to protect your privacy. Although legal requirements may vary from country to country, Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. intends to adhere to the principles set forth in this Online Privacy Policy even if, in connection with the above, we transfer your Personal Information from your country to countries that may not require an "adequate" level of protection for your Personal Information. In other words, our goal is to provide protection for your Personal Information no matter where that Personal Information is collected, transferred, or retained.

Cookies and Other Tracking Technologies
Some of our Web pages utilize "cookies" and other tracking technologies. A "cookie" is a small text file that may be used, for example, to collect information about Web site activity. Some cookies and other technologies may serve to recall Personal Information previously indicated by a Web user. Most browsers allow you to control cookies, including whether or not to accept them and how to remove them.

You may set most browsers to notify you if you receive a cookie, or you may choose to block cookies with your browser, but please note that if you choose to erase or block your cookies, you will need to re-enter your original user ID and password to gain access to certain parts of the Web site.

Tracking technologies may record information such as Internet domain and host names; Internet protocol (IP) addresses; browser software and operating system types; clickstream patterns; and dates and times that our site is accessed. Our use of cookies and other tracking technologies allows us to improve our Web site and your Web experience. We may also analyze information that does not contain Personal Information for trends and statistics.

Website Analytics
To improve your experience on our site, we may use 'cookies'. Cookies are an industry standard and most major websites use them. A cookie is a small text file that our site may place on your computer as a tool to remember your preferences. You may refuse the use of cookies by selecting the appropriate settings on your browser, however please note that if you do this you may not be able to use the full functionality of this website.

Our website may contain links to other websites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of these or other sites. When you go to other websites from this site, we advise you to be aware and read their privacy policies.

Our website uses Google Analytics, a service which transmits website traffic data to Google servers. Google Analytics does not identify individual users or associate your IP address with any other data held by Google. We use reports provided by Google Analytics to help us understand website traffic and webpage usage.

By using this website, you consent to the processing of data about you by Google in the manner described in Google's Privacy Policy and for the purposes set out above. You can opt out of Google Analytics if you disable or refuse the cookie, disable JavaScript, or use the opt-out service provided by Google.

This site and its owner or representatives may have enabled the Google Analytics Advertising features. Learn more regarding Google Analytics Advertising Features.

We may also use or share interfaces with social media sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and others. If you choose to "like" or "share" information from this website through these services, you should review the privacy policy of that service. If you are a member of a social media site, the interfaces may allow the social media site to connect your visits to this site with other Personal Information.

Notice
Where Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. collects Personal Information on the web, we intend to post a purpose statement that explains why Personal Information will be collected and whether we plan to share such Personal Information outside of Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. or those working on Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc.'s behalf. Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. does not intend to transfer Personal Information without your consent to third parties who are not bound to act on Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc.'s behalf unless such transfer is legally required.

Choice
You may choose whether or not to provide Personal Information to Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc.. The notice we intend to provide where Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. collects Personal Information on the Web should help you to make this choice. If you choose not to provide the Personal Information we request, you can still visit most of Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc.'s Web sites, but you may be unable to access certain options, offers, and services that involve our interaction with you.

If you chose to have a relationship with Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc., such as a contractual or other business relationship or partnership, we will naturally continue to contact you in connection with that business relationship.

Security
Wherever your Personal Information may be held within Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. or on its behalf, we intend to take reasonable and appropriate steps to protect the Personal Information that you share with us from unauthorized access or disclosure.

Access/Accuracy
To the extent that you do provide us with Personal Information, Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. wishes to maintain accurate Personal Information. Where we collect Personal Information from you on the Web, our goal is to provide a means of contacting Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. should you need to update or correct that Information. If for any reason those means are unavailable or inaccessible, you may send updates and corrections about your Personal Information to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will make reasonable efforts to incorporate the changes in your Personal Information that we hold as soon as practicable.

Third Party Services
Third parties provide certain services available on childcarewestchester.org on Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc.'s behalf. Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. may provide information, including Personal Information, that Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. collects on the Web to third-party service providers to help us deliver programs, products, information, and services. Service providers are also an important means by which Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. maintains its Web site and mailing lists. Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. will take reasonable steps to ensure that these third-party service providers are obligated to protect Personal Information on Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc.'s behalf.

Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. does not intend to transfer Personal Information without your consent to third parties who are not bound to act on Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc.'s behalf unless such transfer is legally required. Similarly, it is against Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc.'s policy to sell Personal Information collected online without consent.

Commitment
We are committed to privacy and support current industry initiatives to preserve individual privacy rights on the Internet. Protecting your privacy online is an evolving area, and Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc.'s Web sites are constantly evolving to meet these demands.

If you have any comments or questions regarding our Online Privacy Policy, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. While we cannot guarantee privacy perfection, we will address any issue to the best of our abilities as soon as possible.

Your Consent
By using this Web site, you consent to the terms of our Online Privacy Policy and to Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc.'s processing of Personal Information for the purposes given above as well as those explained where Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. collects Personal Information on the Web. Should the Online Privacy Policy change, we intend to take every reasonable step to ensure that these changes are brought to your attention by posting all changes prominently on our web site for a reasonable period of time.