To ensure every child experiences the joy of a new toy this holiday season, we are once again calling on our friends to help make this happen. For the 5th year in a row, the Child Care Council has partnered with Toys for Tots to collect toys for children in need in Westchester County. Now through December 12th, you can drop off or mail a new, unwrapped toy to: Child Care Council of Westchester, 313 Central Park Avenue, Scarsdale, NY 10583. Our office is open Monday-Friday from 9am to 5pm.

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We are grateful to the Hochul administration, the state legislature and NYS OCFS for raising the child care subsidy market rates this year. However, the increases were based on a market rate survey of child care fees charged, not real costs. And there is often a very big difference!

Camille Murphy, Chair of the Public Policy Committee, thanked the Council's Board of Directors for approving the 2023 Public Policy Agenda, which sets goals at every level of government - county, state and federal.

With the 2023 Westchester County budget process underway, the Board's emphasis is clearly on securing continuation of the Westchester Works Child Care Scholarship Program, which helped over 400 children access safe, regulated care so their parents could work. The Public Policy Agenda also calls for a reduction in the parent share from 10% to 1% of income over the Federal Poverty Level, for parents utilizing Child Care Assistance via DSS, and greater participation in early learning programs for children experiencing homelessness.

"The County is to be applauded for its commitment to child care. Child care is often the biggest bill in the house; Westchester Works scholarships brought much needed relief to hard-working area families for the first time. About a third of the recipients work in healthcare, a key industry for our entire community. We're calling on the County to renew this commitment for 2023," stated Murphy.

The Public Policy Committee expects a very busy season on state and federal child care advocacy as well.

Click here for a copy of the 2023 Public Policy Agenda.

We have exciting news! The first $2,500 of #GivingTuesday donations made to our organization this year will be matched by CClean Commercial Cleaning! All funds will help us increase access to quality child care and after school programs to give more children a fair chance, ensure parents can get to work, and help child care professionals earn a living wage. 

Give today, or on Giving Tuesday: November 29, 2022.

Donate today to help make it happen!

We were so excited to be back in person for this year's Early Education Hall of Heroes event. Thank you to all who attended, we're so glad you joined us to celebrate our amazing honorees and grateful most of all that you care about kids and recognize the importance of quality early care and education. We hope you had a wonderful time!