Items filtered by date: November 2016
Free COVID-19 Test Kits still available!
The Child Care Council has COVID-19 Test Kits Available for Distribution.
We are offering free COVID-19 test kits.
They are available for pick up at the Child Care Council, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. Please inform the front desk when you arrive that you are there for COVID test kits and how many test kits you will need. Please make your request in multiples of ten (10 kits, 20 kits, etc).
If you have any questions or need assistance, please call Gabriella Figueroa (914)761-3456, Ext. 111
You're Invited to "Dream Big" with us on May 7
Dream Big is an event that shines light on the importance of early childhood education and recognizes individuals and organizations who help more children and families access this critical resource. This year, we're excited to honor our very own Executive Director Kathy Halas, Robert Martin Company, and SUNY Westchester Community College.
Designed to embody the magic of childhood we wish for all Westchester’s children, this experiential event will offer fun, food and activities for our guests. Why do we call it “Dream Big?” Because we believe that every child should have access to quality early care and education where they can learn, explore, and feel safe. These early experiences encourage brain growth and social emotional health, which set the stage for future academic success and so much more. It’s our dream that no child struggle unnecessarily because they didn’t get the best possible start early on.
Please join us at Dream Big to have fun, celebrate our honorees’ efforts to make the dream come true, and support our work to bring about universal access to quality early care and education.
Philanthropy Awards Breakfast
We had a great time celebrating Joseph Pizzimenti of CClean - Commercial Cleaning and the other deserving honorees at the Association of Development Officers Philanthropy Awards Breakfast last week!
Due April 15th - NYS Required Annual Vaccination Survey for Child Care Centers
The NYS Child Care and Pre-Kindergarten Vaccination Survey for Child Care Centers is open and due by April 15, 2024
It is required by Public Health Law § 2164 to complete this Survey.
The immunization requirements apply to children enrolling in and attending day care and prekindergarten. PHL 2164 includes any public, private, or parochial child-caring center, day nursery, day care agency, nursery school, kindergarten, elementary, intermediate, or secondary school.
Helpful links:
NYS vaccination survey page link: Click Here
The survey is due by April 15th.
Information regarding accessing and completing the Immunization Survey for Child Care and Pre-Kindergarten:
Instructions for Accessing and Completing the Day Care and Pre-K Survey (PDF)
Survey Instructions:
Pre-K less than 1 year of age (PDF)
Pre Kindergarten (PDF)
The following worksheet may assist in calculating immunizations:
Health Commerce System (HCS) access is required to complete the yearly Immunization Surveys in SMART (Survey Management and Response Tool).
- Health Commerce System (HCS)
Questions regarding NYS required immunizations may be directed here:
NYSDOH Division of Vaccine Excellence, School Immunization: email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at 518-474-1944.
Questions regarding HCS access may be directed here:
Commerce Accounts Management Unit (CAMU) at 1-866-529-1890 option 1 (M-F 8am-4:45pm)
Take Action Today to Increase Child Care Educators' Pay
Our children are precious. So are the people who care for and educate them.
In less than 1 minute you can let Governor Hochul and your NYS legislators know that it's time to pay our child care workforce like the invaluable professionals they are. Just Click Here!
Right now the NYS child care workforce makes less than 96% of all NYS occupations.
As a result, many child care jobs go unfilled, leading to programs unable to enroll new children.
Caring for and educating our young children is not babysitting. It is demanding work, calling for skill and knowledge and patience. The people who do this important work, generally women and often women of color, should be compensated like the professionals that they are.
The Council's new Child Care Survey reveals that Westchester teachers in child care centers earn 44% less than entry-level kindergarten teachers.
The Governor proposes another one-time workforce recruitment and retention initiative, using unspent federal funding. This will not fix the child care staffing crisis.
Time to invest NYS $ in a permanent child care compensation fund that reflects the true value of these indispensable educators.
For more info on the Child Care Council's new Salary Survey, 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..
The latest on Westchester child care salaries and benefits - what you need to know
2023 Westchester Early Care and Education Salary Survey Q/A
Hear about: Wages, Benefits, Impact on programs
Thursday, March 14, 2024, 1pm to 2pm
Calling all ECE professionals, board members, parents, employers and child advocates. You cannot afford to miss this report!
No registration necessary. Use this Zoom Link
For more info, contact Nicole Masucci, Director of Family and Employment Services at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
We Are Givng 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
Free COVID-19 Test Kits!
The Child Care Council has COVID-19 Test Kits Available for Distribution
We are offering free COVID-19 test kits.
They are available for pick up at the Child Care Council, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. Please inform the front desk when you arrive that you are there for COVID test kits and how many test kits you will need. Please make your request in multiples of ten (10 kits, 20 kits, etc).
If you have any questions or need assistance, please call Gabriella Figueroa (914)761-3456, Ext. 111
Free COVID-19 Test Kits!
The Child Care Council has COVID-19 Test Kits Available for Distribution.
We are offering free COVID-19 test kits.
They are available for pick up at the Child Care Council, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. Please inform the front desk when you arrive that you are there for COVID test kits and how many test kits you will need. Please make your request in multiples of ten (10 kits, 20 kits, etc).
If you have any questions or need assistance, please call Gabriella Figueroa (914)761-3456, Ext. 111
