Helping young children realize their full potential is a critically important task.  Those who do it well display an understanding of children, passion for their work, creativity and more.  To encourage on-going efforts to build child care quality, the Council established the Cathryn A. Riley Innovation for Quality Prize in 2016, named after a former member of the Council’s team who made a lasting impact not only on the Council but also the field statewide.   With an unprecedented number of grant applications this year, the Council is delighted to announce 9 awardees including centers, family child care and afterschool programs: 

Amani Public Charter School – Scholar Sensory Awareness Room.  A calm and peaceful space will be created to help students relax and manage their stress.  The room may be used for multiple purposes such as meditation, yoga, massages via a massage chair, etc.

Country Childrens Center - School Age 3D Printing Discovery Club. The new school-age club will bring children and teachers together to experience the evolving world of additive manipulation and computational literacy, not only enhancing the quality of the afterschool experience but also advancing the children’s creativity and imagination. 

Endicotts Kids Zone - Outdoor Learning Space Expansion.  With new equipment, toys, materials and a gardening experience, the children will increase their exploration and enjoyment of the outdoors and also learn more about healthy nutrition.

First Stage Day Care – Enhancing Playground Experience.  With the installation of new playground equipment, the children will increase their enjoyment of the outdoors as a place for physical, social, emotional and cognitive learning.

Jump for Joy Day Care – We Are the World.  In learning about other cultures – their celebrations, foods, dress, language and more - the children will understand and respect differences.

RABY Stem Childcare – Lil Olympics.  Children, staff and parents will come together to learn and practice yoga, stretching, gross motor activities and better nutrition, culminating in a special community event.

RYE YMCA – Expanding After School.  An elementary school offering STEM, recreation, arts and crafts and more will have new materials and supplies to enrich the learning experience for their children.

Y-COP of Mount Vernon – Hummingbirds Group at Summer Camp.  A key summer camp program expands to serve younger children with appropriate materials and activities.

Yosaya’s Day Care - Montessori Arts and Crafts and Outdoor Family Day.   Expansion of art activities to promote children’s development and also foster closer connections between program and families.

We look forward to sharing the results and “lessons learned” from our recipients with you.  For a list of all the Innovation for Quality award winners, from 2016 to 2022, click here.

OCFS Emergency Medication Administration Overview Including Stock Epinephrine Auto Injectors

Tuesday, November 8th - Click HERE to register or Tuesday, December 13th - Click HERE to register

$25/members, $35/non-members

Do you have children with allergies and asthma that require emergency medications? Would you feel comfortable administering emergency medications to a child in your program? This training will teach you how. It is highly recommended for ALL programs that administer Emergency Medications (Epinephrine auot-injectors, diphenhydramine in combination with auto-injector, asthma inhalers & nebulizers).

Learn important information about asthma, anaphylaxis, and how to safely administer emergency medications. Each participant will be provided with the forms necessary to be in compliance with OCFS Child Day Care Regulations pertaining to the administration of emergency medication.

This training includes how to safely administer non-patient-specific epinephrine auto-injectors if your program chooses to stock epinephrine auto-injectors.

OCFS Topic Areas Covered:

• 2. Nutrition and Health
• 4. Safety and Security Procedures
• 7. Child Care Statutes and Regulations

Join us for a wonderful evening as we celebrate our 2022 honorees and the entire child care and after school care field at the Early Education Hall of Heroes celebration. Click HERE to watch a special video to our honorees. Click HERE to register for the event.

Aleida Vitolo, A Kid's World Preschool & Daycare

Byron Smalls, City of White Plains Youth Bureau

Cynthia Bolding, Blessed Beginnings Childcare

Deloris & Patrick Hogan, Dee's Tots Child Care

Ester Aguzzi, Country Kids Schoolhouse

Gina D'Amore, Harrison Children's Center

Howard Milbert, Ossining Children's Center

Kathy Lynam, Rye YMCA

Lia DaRocha, Lia's Daycare

Michelle Dalton, Little Lamb Child Care

Sawudat Abraham, Baby Cubs Daycare

Shari Lewis, Nana's Place Family Childcare

Last Friday, members of the Council's Board of Directors were joined by the leaders of the Westchester Children's Association and United Way of Westchester and Putnam to discuss the importance of child care and urge elected officials to restore this funding. Click below to watch: