Infant and Toddler Conference
Emotions and Play: Setting the Stage for Development
Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2010, 8:30am-12:30pm
“Emotions and Play: Setting the Stage for Development” is the theme of the upcoming Infant and Toddler Conference on Wednesday, October 27, 2010, 8:30am-12:30pm, at the Music Conservatory of Westchester in White Plains.  Infant and Toddler professionals will benefit from the expertise of keynote speaker Tovah P. Klein, Ph.D.

Business Development Webinar Series with TOM COPELAND
In this economic climate, it’s more important than ever to run an efficient business! The Child Care Council of Westchester, in association with the National Association for Family Child Care, wants to provide you with the tools to run a better business so they are presenting round two of "The Better Business Family Provider Project" this fall.  This cost-effective professional development opportunity for family and group family child care providers, is a series of six webinars covering all aspects of running a successful home-based child care business.

Early Childhood Full-Day Mini-Conference
Saturday, October 16, 9:00am – 4:00pm
Join your colleagues at a jam-packed event for infant/toddler and preschool staff to gain new insights, network with your peers and earn training credits. This full-day mini-conference is designed for early care professionals working in family, group, center or nursery settings, but all modalities are welcome. The Early Childhood Full Day Mini-Conference is scheduled for Saturday, October 16, 9:00am - 4:00pm, at the Child Care Council of Westchester Offices in Scarsdale.

New Electronic Registration
Signing up for a Council workshop just got easier!  Child Care Council of Westchester has launched a new online registration system for our workshops and events: ABCSignup.  The new electronic registration is all-inclusive, safe, quick, and simple--easy as ABC.

Changes in Capacity for Family and Group Family Child Care Programs
Governor Paterson signed a bill into law on June 16, 2010 that contains changes affecting capacity rules for all modalities of child care programs.  Because these changes may have an immediate effect on the operation of your family or group family day care program, please review the details carefully. You may contact your registrar at Child Care Council of Westchester or your licensor at the Office of Children and Family Services if you have any questions.

Carol Robinson of the YWCA in White Plains selected by Winning Beginning NY as Emerging Leader
Winning Beginning NY (WBNY) is a statewide coalition working to inform policy-makers and the public about the many benefits of early care and learning including home visiting, child care and Pre-K. The coalition aims to build a broad-based constituency to make investment in quality early care and learning a top public priority in New York State.

Westchester Partners with Child Care Resource Network of Western New York to Deliver eCDA
The Child Care Council is the first non-profit organization in New York State to offer eCDA!  In partnership with Teaching Strategies, Inc., the Council has been delivering this course since 2009.

Tips for Increasing Enrollment
In this tough economic climate, many providers have lost clients and have a difficult time attracting new ones.  With job losses, there is a reduced demand for child care services, which has greatly impacted child care enrollment. 

Child Care Enrollment Survey Results
In July the Council released a report on a survey of regulated programs regarding their enrollment levels and financial status as of May 1, 2010.   Key findings include:

QUALITYstarsNY Field Test Update
17 participating Westchester programs
As the lead agency for the QUALITYstarsNY Field Test in Westchester County, the Child Care Council of Westchester is currently assisting 17 programs, school districts and providers in Westchester County that have been selected to participate in the field test. 

Council Starts New Parent Support Group Meeting on Tuesday Mornings
A baby’s first year of life can be overwhelming for new parents. To ease parents into their new roles, the Child Care Council is sponsoring a New Parent Support and Education Group, funded by the Westchester County Office for Women, on Tuesday mornings from 10:30am - 12pm at the Council offices.

Sexauer Foundation Supports Council’s
Early Learning Book Bag Program
The Council is delighted to announce a grant from the Sexauer Foundation to expand our Early Learning Book Bag Program.  Offered initially in 2009 through an award from TDBank, the program helps family providers and child care centers intensify their efforts to expose children to rich literacy experiences and engage parents in the process.  

Council teams up with United Way to promote Born Learning
The Child Care Council of Westchester Inc. has partnered with United Way of Westchester and Putnam to promote Born Learning, a public engagement campaign dedicated to helping parents and caregivers create early, fun learning opportunities for young children to ensure school readiness and continued success throughout their lives.

Westchester Steps to Stars Program
The JPMorgan Chase Foundation is advancing quality improvement in the Westchester child care community through its new Westchester Steps to Stars Program at the Council.  Through a generous grant from the Foundation, the Council will be able to offer participants in the QUALITYstarsNY field test additional program consultation, budget training and scholarships for the Council’s eCDA.