Items filtered by date: May 2018

Information and resources on the covid-19 pandemic for parents, families, & child care providers

Despite New York's high vaccination rate, COVID-19 continues to spread in our area.

Vaccination is currently the leading public health prevention strategy to end the COVID-19 pandemic. Promoting vaccination among eligible individuals can help Early Care and Education (ECE) programs protect staff and children in their care, as well as their families. The Child Care Council urges everyone who is eligible including children 12-18 to get vaccinated.

Child care programs serve children under the age of 12 who are not eligible for vaccination at this time. COVID-19 prevention strategies remain critical to protect people especially in areas of moderate-to-high community transmission levels.

The Child Care Council highly recommends that masks should be worn indoors by all individuals (ages 2 and older) who are not fully vaccinated.

Mental Health Services - Any New Yorker can call the COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at at 1-844-863-9314 for mental health counseling.

Vaccinations - https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/

All individuals 12 years of age and older that reside in the United States are eligible to receive the vaccine. While the vaccination process is underway, New Yorkers should continue to wear a mask, social distance, avoid large gatherings and follow all other health guidelines.

FDA fact sheets for receipients and caregivers on each vaccine are available: Pfizer; Moderna; Johnson & Johnson.

COVID vaccines are widely available at pharmacies, local health departments, clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers and other locations across the state. Visit  Vaccines.gov to find appointments near you or contact your local pharmacy or provider.

To schedule an appointment directly at a New York State-run site, go to  New York State's vaccine scheduler https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/ and follow the instructions. Walk-in appointments are also accepted at New York State mass vaccination sites for all eligible individuals.

For Westchester County Department of Health vaccination sites, visit: https://health.westchestergov.com

For Parents

For additional resources and information for parents, click here.

For Child Care Providers

For additional resources and information for providers, click here.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Please consider a donation to the Child Care Council. We are on the front lines of Westchester’s response to this national emergency – helping essential workers find child care and providers to remain healthy and operational. Your contribution would allow us to allocate resources where they are needed most.

For COVID-19 and other child care questions, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Click here to view the 2018 Annual Report

As Westchester's #1 resource for child care, we can be most helpful to parents when they call and speak to one of our specialists directly. So, our Resource and Referral Department is staying open late every Tuesday, until 7pm. Just call (914) 761-3456 x 140 to reach an expert counselor.

We're also pleased to offer parents even more detailed information about what matters to them most. For instance, we can now tell you about local child care programs that have earned the "Asthma Friendly" Endorsement from the American Lung Association, and are especially ready to serve children with asthma... and programs which have earned the "Breast Feeding Friendly" certificate from the NYS Department of Health. And, for those families thinking about using in-home care, our new "Ultimate Nanny Guide," has everything you need to know to make sure your child is safe, loved and learning. To get your copy, reach out to Nicole Masucci at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (914) 761-3456 x 140.

Nearly 300 guests enjoyed our Annual Awards Breakfast on Friday, May 18th at the Westchester Marriott. Emceed by Tara Rosenblum of News 12 Westchester, the event honored Champions for Children Senator Shelley Mayer, Neighbors Link and Open Door Family Medical Centers and Joey Award Winners Kim DeSalvo of Ardsley Children's Center, Vicki Forbes of WJCS Building Better Beginnings Program, Madeline Freed of All Aboard Childcare and Elizabeth Knowles of Little House Day Care.

Highlights included youthful guest emcees Talia Ruoff and Kingston Simister, remarks from County Executive George Latimer and Board of Legislators Chair Ben Boykin, a live broadcast by Westchester Talk Radio, a delicious brunch, and a silent auction featuring fabulous prizes. A special thank you to our event sponsors, including Polaris Properties and Clarfeld Financial Advisors.  

Mark your calendar for next year's Awards Breakfast on June 7, 2018. To see all our guests and honorees, click here.