 |
#1 - Title XX Child Care Subsidy Funding is Available
Approximately 100 new slots were funded in this year's Westchester County budget. We understand that applications have been coming into Westchester County DSS slowly, and that most of these slots are still available. We know that the need is there, so please reach out to your families and encourage them to contact the Council to see if they might be eligible for Title XX. We can also help them with their subsidy application. They should call (914)761-3456 ext. 140. If you would like more information, please contact Nicole Masucci, Director of Family and Employer Services at 914-761-3456 ext. 139 or [email protected].
#2 - July 31st is National Heat Stroke Prevention Day
Heatstroke is the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related deaths for children under 14, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Young children are at greater risk because they are not able to regulate their body temperatures as well as adults.
To learn more and obtain information for your program and parents, visit
#3 - Enroll in CACFP - Everyone Else Is!
The Council's Child and Adult Care Food Program for family and group family providers is at an all-time high with close to 200 enrolled. These providers are receiving assistance in providing nutritious meals and snacks to the children in their care and reimbursement checks that can be hundreds of dollars - every month. To find out more and how you can join, contact Noreen at (914)761-3456 ext. 110 today.
|
|
YOUR BUSINESS IS OUR BUSINESS
|
|
FREE QUALITY IMPROVEMENT SERVICES!
The Council wants to work with you to improve and enhance the quality of your program. Our friendly and experienced early childhood specialists are available to provide free technical assistance for -
- family and group family programs
- centers - infant, toddler, and preschool classrooms
The specialists assist in promoting best practices and use the Environment Rating Scale assessments to help you decide what you would like to focus on. The specialists can also offer assistance on curriculum behavior management, regulatory issues, family engagement, and business practices.
For more information, contact Idie Benjamin at (914) 761-3456, ext. 108 or [email protected].
ONLINE TRAINING
The Council offers 89 online trainings - all approved by OCFS for training hours and topic areas. Convenient and Affordable! 24 hours a day-365 days a year!
For a complete list of trainings, fees and registration instructions, click the link below.
Child Care Aware Training Academy
For more information, contact Idie Benjamin at (914) 761-3456, ext. 108 or [email protected].
|
 Health Tip - Summer Safety
Summer is here, and the children will be spending more time outdoors. While we are planning fun activities, safety must always be on our minds.
Thank you to Child Care Aware and the American Academy of Pediatrics for this important information.
Sun Safety
Regardless of a child's age, sun protection is always important. Make certain the child will be protected from the sun while enjoying the outdoors. Sunburns are more than uncomfortable; they are also a major risk factor for melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer. The risk of skin cancer from sun exposure is significantly increased by time spent in the sun during childhood.
- Sunscreen. If children are going to be outside make sure the parent has applied sunscreen or given the program sunscreen to apply or reapply. You must have written permission and instructions from the parent including the exact name of the product which parents should supply. Written permission must match directions of use for the sunscreen provided by the parent.
Click Here for:
Parent Consent Form
- Babies under 6 months: The two main recommendations from the AAP to prevent sunburn are to avoid sun exposure, and to dress infants in lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and brimmed hats that shade the neck to prevent sunburn. However, when adequate clothing and shade are not available, parents can apply a minimal amount of sunscreen with at least 15 SPF (sun protection factor) to small areas, such as the infant's face. If an infant gets sunburn, apply cool compresses to the affected area.
- For All Other Children: The first, and best, line of defense against harmful ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure is covering up. Wear a hat with a three-inch brim or a bill facing forward, sunglasses (look for sunglasses that provide 97% -100% protection against both UVA and UVB rays), and clothing with a tight weave. On both sunny and cloudy days use a sunscreen with an SPF 15 or greater that protects against UVA and UVB rays. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after or sweating.
- Stay in the shade whenever possible, and limit sun exposure during the peak intensity hours - between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Click Here to read more:
Summer Safety
Child Care Aware
http://ccapub.childcareaware.org/docs/pubs/120e.pdf
American Academy of Pediatrics
|
2014 Child Care Survey - Parents Speak Up
The Council is gathering new info from parents on child care including the type of care they're using, the cost, the factors behind their choices. Last year, the results of our parent child care survey helped secure $900,000 of new child care funding in the 2014 Westchester County budget.
So we are asking for your help again this year. Please urge your parents to complete our child care survey. They can go to www.ChildCareWestchester.org and click on the big RED BUTTON to complete the survey on line.Or you can click below for a hard copy of the survey to distribute to parents: Parent Survey Flyer
You can drop off completed flyers to the Council office or fax to
Every parent who completes a survey can be entered into a drawing for a gift card. No individual info will be reported or shared.
Thank you for your help! If you have questions, please contact Nicole Masucci, Director of Family and Employer Services at [email protected] or (914) 761-3456 ext. 139.
|
Know Your Regs!
Hiring New Staff
Regulation Reminder: 417.11(f)(7)(i)
As summer heats up it is important to remember to apply sunscreen when bringing children outdoors to play. But remember the regulations require that you have written parental permission when applying over the counter topical ointments including sunscreen and insect repellent.
|
|
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE COUNCIL
|
|
2014 Awards Breakfast Our Best Celebration Yet!
Mary Ann Becker, Teacher at the Mamaroneck Community Nursery School (second from right), shown here with Council Board President John Sterbenz, Polly Peace of Country Children's Center and event emcee, Tara Rosenblum of News 12, was one of our honorees on Friday, June 6th at the DoubleTree Hotel. The enthusiastic crowd of early care and education professionals, government officials, nonprofit leaders, business people and supporters of the Council and children enjoyed songs from children attending the Early Einstein Learning Center, and heart-felt remarks from this year's Champions for Children:
Hon. Mike Spano, Mayor of Yonkers
Keith Safian, President/CEO of Phelps Memorial Hospital Center
TD Bank, accepted by Adam Kintish
and our Joey Award Winners:
Hon. Mike Kaplowitz, Chairman, Westchester County Board of Legislators;
Mary Ann Becker, Mamaroneck Community Nursery School;
Basia Kinglake, Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health;
Susan Matos, Imagination Family Daycare;
Annie Villacres, Port Chester Carver Center After School Program
Government officials in attendance included Congresswoman Nita Lowey, NYS Assemblyman David Buchwald, NYS Assemblywoman Shelley Mayer, NYS Assemblyman Steve Otis, NYS Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, Deputy County Executive Kevin Plunkett, Yonkers Councilman Michael Sabatino, DSS Commissioner Kevin McGuire and Office for Women Director Robi Schlaff.
All of the women and men who work in early care and education were recognized and thanked by the audience, in keeping with the main purpose of this event, which is to increase awareness of and support for early care and education. We will be announcing the date for our 2015 Awards Breakfast by early fall, and we hope that even more people will attend and enjoy the celebration.
For more pictures visit our Facebook page or click the link below:
|
|
July is Anti-Boredom Month:
Celebrate With These Fun, Learning Activities
1. ICE -
Freeze water in different sized containers from ice cube trays to large mixing bowls. Put the ice into water tables or small containers and watch the fun.
2. ICE-POP CHALK -
Mix together equal parts of cornstarch and water. Add washable paint (just enough to have a bright color. Freeze in ice-pop molds. Let the children paint outside on a sidewalk or fence (that you don't find gets painted).
3. Make Ice Cream in a Plastic Bag - (This really works!)
This recipe is enough for one student, so that each student can make their own.
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon sugar
4 cups crushed ice
4 tablespoons salt
2 quart size Zip-loc bags
1 gallon size Zip-loc freezer bag
a hand towel or gloves to keep fingers from freezing as well!
Mix the milk, vanilla and sugar together in one of the quart size bags. Seal tightly, allowing as little air to remain in the bag as possible. Too much air left inside may force the bag open during shaking. Place this bag inside the other quart size bag, again leaving as little air inside as possible and sealing well. By double-bagging, the risk of salt and ice leaking into the ice cream is minimized. Put the two bags inside the gallon size bag and fill the bag with ice, then sprinkle salt on top. Again let all the air escape and seal the bag. Wrap the bag in the towel or put your gloves on, and shake and massage the bag, making sure the ice surrounds the cream mixture. Five to eight minutes is adequate time for the mixture to freeze into ice cream.
4. Paint with Water
Give children a bucket of water and different sized paintbrushes - wide "grown-up" ones are so much fun. Let them "paint" everything!! No stains and no mess and even infants who can sit up can join the fun.
5. Have a "Car" Wash
Wash the toy cars, wash the bikes, and wash the wagons. Give children large sponges and let them wash all of your vehicles.
|
|
Inside the Community Fun:
Summer Fest 14
This summer-long festival of free family activities kicks off with an outdoor concert. Top off a day of shopping by setting up lawn chairs and listening to the music of The Amish Outlaws! 7-9pm June 25. For all ages. FREE. Cross County Shopping Center, 800 Mall Walk, Yonkers. (914)968-9570
For more information click the link below:
|
|
BORN LEARNING TIP OF THE MONTH
"Sing, Sing, Sing!"
Music is rhythm, rhyme, vocabulary and more. Singing with children fosters early literacy development.
This month's tip has songs for you to sing with children throughout the day.
Include in your own newsletter or info board for parents. Click the link below to read more:
|
|
|
Council Conferences
SAVE THE DATES
Infant-Toddler
Wednesday, October 10th at Burke Rehab Center
School Age
Saturday, November 1st
Burke Rehab Center
Watch for registration info!
|
|
College Intern
Katelyn Sherman
Cornell
As the Council continues to make better opportunities for children, we are glad to welcome aboard our college intern this summer season.
A college internship at the Council is an experience that intends to help the student close the gap between school and work. The experience and confidence the student will learn will be vital.
|
|
Retirement
Janine Benvenuti
Janine was an exceptional receptionist and we would like to thank Janine for her dedication and passion for her work. Retirement is a time for a new beginning and to find new endeavors.
|
|
Receptionist
Juliana Leshi
Juliana was hired in September as a Community & Health Care Consultant Service Assistant. She recently began her new position as a receptionist. We are delighted to welcome her aboard to new experiences.
|
COUNCIL
MID-YEAR MEMBERSHIP
|
Join the Council in 2014!
Reduced rates available!!!
Benefits include:
Valuable discounts on workshops, on-site trainings and conferences
* Free postings on the Council's job bank
* Membership Certificate to post at your program
* Listing on the Council's web site
* Free use of the Council Resource Library
* Access to the Council's Children's Resource Corner
Your membership dollars support the Council's:
* Advocacy for funding and policies that strengthen our early care and education system in Westchester
* Public education to get the word out about the importance of affordable, quality early care and education for our community
* Representation of our early care and education system in Albany and Washington
Call (914) 761-3456 ext. 106 or visit our website below.
|
|
Special Discounts For Members
Magical Memories Entertainment is a one stop shop for all your entertainment needs. They currently provide discounted rates for their services for all Council members.
For more info click here:
|
|
NIEER
The National Institute of Early Education Research is a terrific source of information on early childhood, prek, teachers, public policy and funding trends. NIEER issues reports, conducts research, provides testimony to government leaders and contributes to the growing body of knowledge about our field.
Click below to visit their website:
|
Want Books?
The Council holds an annual book drive every April. The donated books are then distributed to Westchester children and child care programs in June.
If interested in learning more on receiving books please contact Miriam Kerness at (914) 761-3456 ext. 134.
|
Alliance for Early Childhood Finance
Anne Mitchell and Louise Stoney bring you the latest on early childhood finance, policy, shared services, quality rating improvement systems, and service innovation.
www.earlychildhoodfinance.org/
|
|
|
|
|
A Special Thank You
Thank you to Susan Matos, 2014 Joey Award Recipient, for sharing this poem at the Council's June 6 2014 Awards Breakfast
A Child's imagination
By Lesley Bass
The little children look at the sky and see the limit
They look at the world and see its beauty
They look at the starts and see their twinkle
And they look at the moon and see the old man
A child's imagination has no limits
They can make so much out of so little
They have to many dreams
And a lot more wishes
The world is a place of wonder
And their minds are still forming
They laugh at the little thing
And ask the questions that we don't think about
They laugh just to see you laugh
They play in world that we forgot
They can do anything that they put their minds too
They sleep and think about what they're going to do tomorrow
Lets all see the world threw a child's eyes!
|
|
|
NYS Innovative PreK Announcement
Paper and electronic applications must be received by the NY State Education Department by 3 pm on July 7th. If you are interested in applying for funding for full-day PreK, contact your school district to be part of their "consolidated application". If your school district is not applying, you may apply directly. The Yonkers Public Schools announced last week that they are not applying for this funding, leaving the door open for community-based programs to do so directly. To see the full application and a recent FAQ, go to the State Ed Department website.
Please visit their website at:
|
|
ATTENTION AMAZON SHOPPERS!!!
|
If you shop at Amazon, the Council could receive up to 2% of your shopping proceeds.
Just click this link to sign up today:
Log in with your Amazon Account and then you are prompted to select your charity. Pick the Council by entering "Child Care Council of Westchester" and then click search. You'll then see the Council and the "Select" button next to it. That's it!
(Note: each time you shop you have to use the link below but your charity information will be saved after it has been set up.)
Please share on Facebook once you have signed up.
|
Butterfly In The Wind Poem
A child is........
A butterfly in the wind,
Some can fly higher than others;
but each one flies the best it can.
Why compare one against the other?
Each one is different!
Each one is special!
Each one is beautiful!
Author Unknown
|
|
|
|
