Increases 4 Child Care and Head Start Critical
Let's Remember What We Learned
During the Pandemic-
Access to Child Care is Essential!
Safe, quality, affordable child care gets people to work, helps them provide for their families, enables a workforce employers can draw from, prepares children for success in school and life. It's essential for a thriving economy.
And it's not cheap. Often the biggest bill in the household, Westchester center-based care for infants averages over $24,000! Almost every family struggles with their child care bills.
The U.S. "system" of child care comes up short compared to virtually every other developed nation. It shouldn't be this way - and it doesn't have to be.
The House Labor HHS Appropriations Subcommittee has proposed cutting Head Start by $750 million for the next fiscal year, potentially dropping 80,000 children from services. And the Child Care Development Block Grant, the largest federal source of funding for child care, could be level-funded at a time when more help is needed by parents and child care programs.
Urge your federal representatives to vigorously support and pass the FY24 appropriations bill with significant increases for early childhood education programs. Take 2 minutes and send your message today - Click Here!
Kathy Halas
Executive Director
Reminder: WE NEED YOUR INPUT TO PREPARE YOUR REPORT1
NATIONALLY, CHILD CARE WORKERS MAKE LESS THAN 98% OF ALL OCCUPATIONS!
HOW ARE YOU AND YOUR STAFF DOING?
We get calls all the time asking about child care wages and benefits. Please take 5 minutes for this confidential survey, so we can answer those questions.
THE RESULTS WILL BE ANONYMOUSLY SHARED WITH YOU & HELP US FIGHT FOR BETTER CHILD CARE COMPENSATION FOR YOU!
HELP US TO HELP YOU!
Thank you as always for all you do for our children, families and entire community!
Provider Friends Network
Come and join other caregivers on August 19th at the Provider Friends’ & Infant Toddler Teacher Network meeting from
10am- 12pm at the Child Care Council of Westchester.
You will have a chance to meet and network with other caregivers in the county, and share your experiences with each other. At this meeting, we will also be offering a free hour of training that can be used towards your OCFS training hours. The topic is Summer Cooking: Easy Recipes for Little Hands. We will talk about why you should & how you can add cooking experiences to your planning. You will learn some easy recipes to make, including “no-cook” recipes.
We hope to see you on August 19th!
Are you a parent with something to say about child care?
PARENT VOICES COMING TOGETHER ON NEW PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL
Should child care be more affordable?
Easier to find?
Should child care professionals be paid a living wage?
If you believe, as we do, that all families should have equitable access to affordable, quality child care that meets their needs, and that child care professionals should be fairly compensated, the Council's new Parent Advisory Council may be for you!
- Starting this fall, participate in one virtual meeting per month, conveniently scheduled, to discuss your child care challenges and ideas for improving child care
- Share what you know and learn with other parents
- Volunteer for opportunities to educate others
Meeting stipends will be provided
To learn more, email Kathy Halas, Executive Director, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
