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#1 - It's a Law to Post OCFS Inspection Histories
The NYS Social Services Law was amended this past legislative session to require that all child day care programs post and maintain in a prominent place, a notice containing the results of their most recent OCFS inspection history, effective January 1, 2015.
OCFS is required to provide this posting to programs and providers, which will be mailed out in as a separate document, in an envelope with the inspection letters. Do not post your inspection letter, only the inspection history report. Any questions, please contact your licensor or registrar.
#2 - Get Up to Date on Changes to the School Age Regulations
The School Age Directors Network (SADN) will host Lindsay Tiernan, Assistant Director of Provider Services, at their Tuesday, February 24th meeting at 10 am to review changes to the School Age regs, which go into effect on June 1, 2015. The SADN meets monthly at the Council. School age professionals are welcome! The group is led by Brent Morton, Country Children's Center and Kim DeSalvo, Ardsley Children's Center.
#3 - Landmark Support for Child Care
"It's time we stopped treating child care as a side issue...and started treating it like the national economic priority it is" insisted President Obama in his 2015 State of the Union Address last week. His new plan will help parents close the child care affordability gap, particularly acute here in Westchester, and further improve program quality. To learn more, click below:
National Policy Blog
The White House Fact Sheet
#4 - Come to Albany Feb 3rd - Early Childhood Advocacy Day
Join your colleagues from across the state to call for funding for child care subsidy and QUALITYstarsNY, our quality rating improvement system. We are sharing a van with Child Care Resources of Rockland so you can relax and enjoy the day which includes a program and some visits with some Westchester legislators. Only a few spaces are left, so if you're interested, email Janine Benvenuti at [email protected].
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YOUR BUSINESS IS OUR BUSINESS
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Professional Development Opportunities
Trainings!
Don't miss our great trainings scheduled for 2015. To see what we have in store for you and your staff, click here:
Family/Group Family Provider Conference
Saturday, April 25, 2015 - Save the Date!
Burke Rehabilitation Center, White Plains
A half-day conference with family/group family providers in mind. Earn OCFS training hrs on working with mixed age groups, business practices, creative activities and more. Registration info coming soon.
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Grow Your Child Care Career!
Become a Child Development Associate (CDA).
The CDA is awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington, DC. It is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education, and meets New York State licensing requirements for a head teacher.
Congratulations to our newest Child Development Associate,
Ms. Tiffany Williams, who received her credential in January.
Thank you to the Westchester County Office for Women for funding this important program which builds skills and improves job opportunities.
For more info on the Council's CDA options, contact Idie Benjamin, Director, Professional Development, at [email protected].
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Know Your Regs!
417.3(D)
Please remember that as the weather gets colder, the regulations require that a temperature of at least 68� degrees Fahrenheit must be maintained in all rooms to be occupied by children.
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Health Tip
Surviving Winter Weather Safety Tips
Winter is a great time to get outdoors. There are substantial health benefits to outside activity as well as safety tips to keep in mind.
FRESH AIR IN WINTER IS HEALTHY
Studies have shown that contrary to the common belief that "exposure to cold air causes a cold," fresh air is good and healthy. When children and adults spend a long time together in indoor spaces that are small, overheated and poorly ventilated, germs and illnesses pass easily from one person to another. In fresh, outdoor air, children do not re-breathe the germs of the group, and the chance for spreading infection is reduced. It is invigorating for both children and staff!
OUTDOOR PLAY IS GOOD FOR YOU YEAR ROUND
Children of all ages enjoy and benefit from playing outdoors except in the most extreme weather. Daily outdoor play burns energy, provides a change of environment, and exercises those large muscle activities. Even children who are mildly ill but active should go outside as long as the weather is not severe. Always make sure that children are appropriately dressed.
Keep in mind that year-round active outdoor play helps prevent obesity and establish life-long patterns of healthy physical exercise.
Click Here To Read More
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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE COUNCIL
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Special Night Out for Child Care Council Members and Their Families
vs. Maine
February 21st, 2015 Westchester County Center
We are going to be distributing some tickets to long-time Council Members, free of charge! You only have to commit to using the tickets.
Tickets are also available for purchase. A $14 value at $8 for Council members.
For more info email Juanita Pope:
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The Council's 2015 Book Drive
The Council's annual book drive will kick off on March 18th and run through April 18th. This drive has distributed thousands of books to programs for children throughout the county. Watch for info on how you can participate.
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Why Watch TV When There Is So Much More To Do?
The new OCFS regulations limit how much television and other screen media can be watched in all child care programs. Television or "other electronic visual media" cannot be used to "occupy time." It must be part of a "planned developmentally appropriate program" with learning objectives. Click here to read the OCFS regulations on television watching.
No time in care should be "occupying time." There is so much more to do:
 
LEARN ABOUT THE WORLD
Go outside and explore nature. Experiencing nature is calming for children. They use all of their senses to explore and find wonder. The more time outside the better.
LEARN TO BE A FRIEND
Children learn social skills by observing and practicing. Whey they play with each other, children negotiate, take turns, express what they like and don't, and listen.
BE CREATIVE
When children are actively engaged with all kinds of materials, they use their imagination to form ideas, plan and execute. They solve problems and make decisions.
LEARN LETTERS AND NUMBERS
Expose them to language and print all the time. Listen to and record their stories. Show them all the letters and words in their world. Count everything from cookies to train cars.
HAVE FUN
Fun is being with your friends and the adults who care for you. Fun is messing around with all kinds of things. Fun is laughing out loud.
And yes, many children are in care for many hours a day. We have quality improvement specialists eager to work with you and your program to fill the day with exciting and appropriate activities. Contact Idie Benjamin, Director of Professional Development at 914-761-3456 ext. 108 or [email protected]
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Inside the Community Fun: "LEGO Fun"
February 11, 2015
Mount Kisco Public Library
100 East Main Street
(914) 666-8041
4:30pm-5:30pm
FREE event
Our wonderful Westchester
Library System offers low-cost and free events for our children all over the county. The Mount Kisco Library has a Lego Club that meets the second Wednesday of the month.
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County Legislative Breakfast on Children & Youth
February 19, 2015
8:00 am Registration
8:30 am Program
White Plains YMCA
250 Mamaroneck Avenue
Don't miss Westchester
legislators talking with children and youth about the issues that matter most.
COUNTDOWN TO KINDERGARTEN:
Collaborating for Success from the Start: 2015 Westchester Transition Forum
March 19, 2015
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in
Watch for registration in in early February.
WINE TASTING
April 9, 2015
Vino 100
171 Mamaroneck Ave
White Plains
Join us for a fun evening sampling wines and supporting the Council's advocacy and scholarship programs.
ANNUAL AWARDS BREAKFAST
June 5, 2015
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in
2015 SCHOOL AGE CONFERENCE
Saturday
September 26, 2015
Burke Rehabilitation Center
White Plains
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2015 MEMBERSHIP
CAMPAIGN IS HERE - Join Today!
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New and improved Benefits including:
*Valuable discounts on workshops, on-site trainings & conferences
* Listing on our website, including a link to your website
* Free postings on the Council's job
* Membership certificate to post at your site
* Printed Council Training Calendar
* Free access to our Children's Resource Corner
* Early announcements of special opportunities
* Free Notary Public Services
* Free member only networking meetings
* Complimentary Council 2015 Calendar
* Membership referral program
Click Below to join today!
English Form
Spanish Form
Call
(914) 761-3456 ext. 106
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Welcome Andre G. Early,
Deputy Commissioner, Town of Greenburgh, Department of Community Resources, to the Child Care Council Board of Directors.
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WHAT'S COOKING?
Are you enrolled in CACFP, a nutrition education and meal reimbursement program that will help you serve nutritious and safely prepared meals and snacks to children and adults in your care?
For more info, contact Noreen Delacy at 914-761-3456 ext. 110 or email her at [email protected].
Thank you to Amal Louhaichy of Amal's Daycare Corp, for this recipe. Ms. Louhaichy participates in the Council's CACFP Program.
2 cups of flour
2 tbs of sugar
100 gm of butter (cold cut into cubes)
Pinch of salt
2 eggs
� cup butter milk
� cup dried cranberries or raisins
1 egg white (brush on top of scones for glaze)
Combine ingredients shape into triangles and place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly spray with baking oil.
Bake for 15-20 minutes at 375 degrees until light golden brown.
Serve warm and enjoy!!!!!
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SPECIAL DISCOUNTS FOR COUNCIL 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:
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NEW YORK
ZERO-TO-THREE
This organization promotes the optimal development of young children, their families and their communities in the New York region.
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CHILD FIND OF AMERICA, INC.
The Child Find of America, Inc. will host a conference on the importance of having a father role model in a child's life.
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WHAT'S SPECIAL ABOUT FEBRUARY?
Children's Dental Health Month
5th - National Weather Forecaster's Day
17th - Random Acts of Kindness Day
26th - Tell a Fairy Tale Day
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