Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc.

This Saturday's first ever Resource Day for Legally Exempt Providers was awesome, featuring books, learning materials, health supplies, diapers, breakfast, a training on play and more. Kudos to the Legally Exempt team with key support from the Professional Development and Health Care Consultant Services departments. Sure to be a repeat event!

Mark your calendars for the Early Education Hall of Heroes event on September 27th and be part of an inspiring event that recognizes and supports incredible individuals who help shape the future! Let’s come together to honor the heroes of childcare and celebrate their incredible contributions to Westchester's community. Scan the QR or visit: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/2024earlyeducationhallofheroes/event/2024event/ to RSVP today!

We have some new Council faces! Please welcome Dajel Duggins, Gisela Burlap, and Iralene Zayas. We look forward to working with them, as they with the community to help support our mission.

Dajel joined the Council to provide temporary support to our Family & Employer Services Department and has since become our full time Scholarship Administrator. She will provide administrative support and help with the scholarship prescreening process, processing applications and guiding families through any financial assistance programs available.

Gisela will be one of our Health Care Consultants. She will work with OCFS-regulated child care providers, directors, and/or owners and Legally Exempt providers to promote the health and safety of children in the child care setting by providing guidance, training and technical assistance on a wide range of health and safety topics to assist programs throughout Westchester.

Iralene has joined our Family & Employer Services department as a Child Care Specialist. She will help educate parents about child care, provide appropriate referrals and resources, help maintain the referral database to ensure all child care programs information is up to date, help provide support to our Subsidy Specialists and participate in events to inform the community about our services.

We are so grateful for this recognition and new partnership with Chick-fil-A Scarsdale.

Providers - Are you enrolled in the CACFP program? The Child and Adult Care Food Program combats hunger and brings healthy foods to tables across the country for children in child care centers, homes, emergency shelters, and afterschool programs through a USDA federal reimbursement program. To participate in CACFP, you must be licensed or registered by the State of New York as a FDC or GFDC program, or be enrolled with the local Department of Social Services to provide legally exempt care. This is NO COST to enroll in the program and you must have at least one child in care. The Council's CACFP enrollment continues to grow each month. Join us! Contact Latoya Carney-Ramsey at 914-761-3456 ex. 118 or by email [email protected]

Looking for a refreshing healthy treat? Try making this homemade frozen fruit pops. All you need is a few simple ingredients. This is a great activity that children can help make.

Many families are eligible for Child Care Assistance through the Westchester County Department of Social Services (DSS) and don't know it. Others may qualify for the Westchester Works Child Care Scholarship Program that the Council administers and don't know that either! Become a Parent Ambassador, and help us help more families.

For more information, contact Kathy Halas, Executive Director, at [email protected]

SAVE THE DATE! Our School Age Conference is happening this October. We will discuss positive behavior management techniques, supporting children with special needs, promoting a positive work environment and more! Registration will open soon. Visit our website to learn more: https://www.childcarewestchester.org/events/item/561-school-age-conference

Providers - Do you have children that have a hard time at drop offs? Not sure what to expect and how to help when it comes to separation anxiety? We have a training just for you! Join us virtually on August 14th to learn tips on how to make the transition from home to school easier on the child, families, and yourself. Register now: https://reg.abcsignup.com/reg/event_page.aspx?ek=0018-0004-4275583e5f1947d294367263ec261c2c

August is Family Fun month! It is a wonderful opportunity to have a fun family event at your program. Children thrive when families are connected with the people who care for their children. Spending time with parents and caregivers in relaxed, fun ways can build those connections in natural ways. Inviting parents to have a fun time with their children and other families says that families are welcome in your program. Families meet each other and feel less isolated. You can also encourage families to celebrate Family Fun Month with their own activities and then share what they did with you.

Did you know? The most common types of stinging insects are hornets, wasps, and bees. These kinds of insects usually attack when they feel they are in danger and need to protect their territory or nest. When these insects sting, they can inject venom into the skin. Although most insect stings are not serious and are only painful for a short time, they can cause a life-threatening, allergic reaction in some children. Learn more about symptoms of insect stings and when an emergency room visit is needed: https://www.healthychildren.org/english/safety-prevention/at-play/pages/Insect-Repellents.aspx

We are so thrilled to announce the honorees for the 2024 Early Education Hall of Heroes. Their dedication and hard work in the early education field has earned them this prestigious honor and we can't wait to celebrate them this fall on September 27th, 7pm-9pm at Mercy University. Please mark your calendars and join us for this momentous occasion. Ticket and event opportunities are now available: https://secure.qgiv.com/.../2024earlyedu.../event/2024event/

Grab your blankets, chairs, snacks and entire family for a fun night out! Westchester County Parks and our friends at Sharc Creative present a free screening of Kung Fu Panda 4 on August 10th at the Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla. Movie begins at sundown (rain or shine). Admission and parking is FREE. For more information, visit: https://parks.westchestergov.com/screenings-under-the-stars

We're thrilled to support the YMCA (and 21 other programs!) with Cate Riley Innovation for Quality prizes... and grateful to the the Mt. Holly Foundation for their support of this initiative to fund exciting learning experiences throughout Westchester.

Are there any Swifties among us? Don't miss this FREE summer concert at Kensico Dam! Thanks for sharing, Sharc Creative Inc!

Remember the ABC's of safe sleep! The best way for an infant to sleep is Alone, on their Back, and in a Crib. This will help prevent the risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Syndrome.

Child Care Pros: Do you need new ideas for daily outdoor time? Join us for an in-person training to explore activities that help young children use the outdoors as a classroom and learn the benefits of extending outdoor play and learning for children under 4. Training is Sat July 10 from 10am - 12 pm. Register by Friday 7/19: https://reg.learningstream.com/reg/event_page.aspx?ek=0018-0004-d3cadbf9cb194b58aa5e036272ffc45d

Yonkers Public Schools is pleased to provide a free breakfast and lunch at 6 Community Feeding Sites to all youngsters 18 and under living in the City of Yonkers June 28 – August 13. Meals will also be provided to summer program students at the school they are attending. Summer breakfast/lunch grab and go bags will be available for pickup in the atrium Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 12:30PM.

Las Escuelas Públicas de Yonkers se complacen en ofrecer desayuno y almuerzo gratuitos en 6 sitios de alimentación comunitaria a todos los jóvenes menores de 18 años que vivan en la ciudad de Yonkers del 28 de junio al 13 de agosto. También se proporcionarán comidas a los estudiantes del programa de verano en la escuela a la que asisten. . Las bolsas para llevar para el desayuno y el almuerzo de verano estarán disponibles para recoger en el atrio de lunes a viernes de 9:00 a. m. a 12:30 p.m.

Stay safe this summer! Make sure that your outdoor time is safe for you and your family. For this year’s UV safety Month, please remember to wear water-resistant (SPF ≥30) sunscreen and stay in the shade as much as possible from 10AM-4PM, to avoid damage from powerful UV rays.

Council staff gathered during lunch to play a few rounds of BINGO! This break from the usual work routine gave everyone a lift. We look forward to connecting again soon to learn more about each other and keep this momentum going.

Arthritis is not just a disease adults are afflicted by, but children can be as well. The onset of idiopathic arthritis usually begins at around 2 – 4 years. This Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month is the opportunity to learn about this little discussed disease. Check out the Arthritis Foundation’s information page for more info: https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/juvenile-arthritis

Every dollar invested in high quality child care yields an $8-$13 ROI. Hear about the challenges and possibilities: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-4hq7g4s2I. Our thanks to John Ravitz and The Business Council of Westchester for hosting Kathy Halas on the Advocacy Unplugged podcast and your unwavering support of child care as a critical component of a vital workforce and community.

The Council wishes you and your family a happy, healthy, and safe Independence Day.

Visit the County's website to find out where you can celebrate and other events happening throughout Westchester. https://events.westchestergov.com/eventdetail/200737/11/kensico-music-festival-fireworks

To all those child care programs who remained open to care for and educate children during COVID, thank you again. You mitigated the ill effects of the pandemic for so many youngsters while you made it possible for their parents to work. True heroes!

The Youngest Pandemic Children Are Now in School, and Struggling Teachers this year saw the effects of the pandemic’s stress and isolation on young students: Some can barely speak, sit still or even hold a pencil.

Providers: Council Membership can save you money and help your program be successful. So why not take advantage of our Mid-Year prices, and enjoy some great benefits, including discounts on trainings, coupons for a couple of local businesses, a chance to win a prize in our monthly raffle, participate in member-only events, and help support our very important mission to promote quality early care and education. We would love to have you join the Council family! Join today: https://www.childcarewestchester.org/members

Everyone can help prevent hot car deaths. With summer underway and temperatures rising, we need to be very aware of the risk of heatstroke for children who are left in cars. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): Over 900 children died of heatstroke since 1998, because they were left or became trapped in a hot car. It's important for everyone to understand that children are more vulnerable to heatstroke and that all hot car deaths are preventable. We - as parents, caregivers, and bystanders - play a role in helping to make sure another death doesn't happen. For tips and more information, visit the NHTSA website: https://www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/heatstroke

Last chance to nominate your hero for the 2024 Early Education Hall of Heroes event! Remember you may nominate yourself and/or be nominated by an employer, parent, coworker, board member, family member or friend, Submit your nomination now and mark your calendar for the Early Ed event happening September 27th.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScXcYEbZnI322VKO-bYr0PtCX-WVkoQgAv6SKqvlsvZKa_6bA/viewform

Please share this far and wide so families in Westchester know to contact us when they need help finding or paying for child care!

Is there a child care professional you consider a hero? Are you a child care professional who should be nominated? Don't forget to nominate them for the 2024 Early Education Hall of Heroes. You may nominate yourself or be nominated by an employer, parent, board member, friend or co-worker. Submit your nomination today: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScXcYEbZnI322VKO-bYr0PtCX-WVkoQgAv6SKqvlsvZKa_6bA/viewform

Council staff had a great time getting out into the community to meet parents and children at the County’s African American Heritage Festival. We were able to share our resources, helping parents find child care and the ways to pay for it.

It's time to induct a new slate of child care and after school professionals into the Early Education Hall of Heroes! You may nominate yourself or be nominated by an employer, parent, board member, friend or co-worker. Submit your nomination today: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScXcYEbZnI322VKO-bYr0PtCX-WVkoQgAv6SKqvlsvZKa_6bA/viewform