Donations AmazonSmile Contact Us
Homepage
>

News Posts

Recent News

GCSD’s KidsCare Becomes First School-Based Child Care Program in the State to Implement Social-Emotional Development Model

February 12 2024

For the first time, Child Care Council Inc. is collaborating with a school-based child care program in New York to implement the Pyramid Model of social-emotional development. The Pyramid Model is an evidence-based framework proven effective in building social and emotional competence in early care and education programs by promoting positive behavior and well-being in […]

Read More >
Upcoming Events
    Course Calendar

    Rochester Business Alliance

    Attention Employers: Introducing Vroom

    Attention Employers: Introducing Vroom

    September 3, 2021
    • Vroom is an exciting national program that supports healthy child brain development.
    • It shows parents how they can turn activities like bath time and mealtime into opportunities that build their children’s brains.
    • Child Care Council is offering several ways for you to help, such as participating in virtual lunch-and-learn events, including program information in your internal newsletters, and sharing resources with your employees.

    To learn more about this free resource, contact Renee Scholz, Child Care Council, at: 585.654.1286 or email us at [email protected].

    Visit the Vroom website or view a sample Vroom tip.

    Child Care Council Providing Technical Assistance to Providers Seeking State Child Care Stabilization Grants

    August 9, 2021

    Child care providers interested in applying for a stabilization grant from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) can receive technical support and assistance from Child Care Council.

    OCFS is currently accepting applications for the child care stabilization grants made available through the federal American Rescue Plan Act and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act. The goals of the grants are to provide financial relief to child care providers to help cover unexpected business costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and to help stabilize their operations so they may continue to provide care. New York state is making $1.1 billion available statewide.

    Grant funds can be used for such items as personnel costs, rent, facility improvements, personal protective equipment, cleaning and sanitization supplies and services, or training and professional development related to health and safety practices. To be eligible, providers must be licensed or registered day care centers, group family day cares, school-age child care, family day care, small day care centers or enrolled legally exempt group programs.

    “The COVID-19 pandemic has been incredibly challenging for everyone, and it has been devastating to child care providers – many who have lost income and some who had to close their doors,” said Jeff Pier, executive director, Child Care Council. “OCFS’ child care stabilization grant is an unprecedented opportunity and investment to help child care providers who have been hurting to bounce back and continue providing quality care to children in our community. Child Care Council is available to help providers navigate through the application process.”

    To streamline the application process, OCFS is offering a single online application, and the application deadline is Nov. 30, 2021. Child Care Council can assist providers who need help completing the online application. Providers can contact the Council at [email protected] or 585.654.4794.

    COVID Vaccine

    January 15, 2021

    Registered and Licensed child care providers are now eligible to receive the COVID vaccine in phase 1B. You must go to this website to complete the eligibility form and make an appointment. There is detailed information on the site. https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/

    New Emergency Regulations Regarding Non-Medical Vaccine Exceptions

    August 19, 2019

    Joint Statement From State of New York on New Legislation Regarding Non-medical Vaccination Exemptions for Children in Child Care

    June 18, 2019

    Statement on Legislation Removing Non-Medical Exemption
    from School Vaccination Requirements


    On June 13, 2019, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation removing non-medical exemptions from school vaccination requirements for children. The United States is currently experiencing the worst outbreak of measles in more than 25 years, with outbreaks in pockets of New York primarily driving the crisis. As a result of non-medical vaccination exemptions, many communities across New York have unacceptably low rates of vaccination, and those unvaccinated children can often attend school where they may spread the disease to other unvaccinated students, some of whom cannot receive vaccines due to medical conditions. This new law will help protect the public amid this ongoing outbreak.

    What did the new law do?
    As of June 13, 2019, there is no longer a religious exemption to the requirement that children be vaccinated against measles and other diseases to attend either:
    • public, private or parochial school (for students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade), or
    • child day care settings.

    For those children who had a religious exemption to vaccination, what are the deadlines for being vaccinated?
    Children who are attending child day care or public, private or parochial school, and who had a religious exemption to required immunizations, must now receive the first age appropriate dose in each immunization series by June 28, 2019 to attend or remain in school or child day care. Also, by July 14, 2019 parents and guardians of such children must show that they have made appointments for all required follow-up doses. The deadlines for follow-up doses depend on the vaccine. The New York State Department of Health follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices catch-up immunization schedule and expects children to receive required doses consistent with Table 2 at the following link in order to continue to attend school or child day care: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/downloads/child/0-18yrs-child-combined-schedule.pdf

    What is the deadline for first dose vaccinations if my child is not attending school until September?
    Parents and guardians of all children who do not have their required immunizations are encouraged to have them receive the first dose as soon as possible. The deadline for obtaining first dose vaccinations for children attending school in the fall is 14 days from the first day of school. Within 30 days of the first day of school, parents and guardians of such children must show that they have made appointments for all required follow-up doses.

    Additional information will be forthcoming.

    2020 Census is coming

    June 4, 2019

    Why You Should Complete the 2020 Census

    The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 5 percent of kids under the age of 5 were not counted in the last Census survey – amounting to about 1 million young children.

    It is important to participate in the next Census survey, to make sure children are accurately counted. Census population counts are directly related to how federal dollars are distributed to state and local governments – including funding for programs that benefit children.

    When the survey becomes available next spring, we encourage you to fill it out. Completing the survey takes only about 10 minutes, and it can be done by mail, telephone or online. If you need access to a computer, you can use Child Care Council’s computers to complete it.

    Learn more about the 2020 Census.

    Start Bright Gala

    May 20, 2019

    Please join Child Care Council at the Start Bright Gala, which celebrates the importance of early education and high-quality child care in ensuring children get a bright start to their future.

    • The Council will recognize excellence in child care and early education with its Start Bright Impact Awards
    • The fun includes a silent auction, raffles, games and more
    • Black-tie optional

    Date:
    October 16, 2019

    Time:
    6:00 to 9:00 p.m. (Dinner at 7:00 p.m.)

    Location:
    Locust Hill Country Club
    2000 Jefferson Road, Pittsford, NY 14534

    Register Online Today »

    Impact Awards:
    Nominate a child care provider for the Start Bright Impact Award »

    Nominations Now Being Accepted for Start Bright Impact Awards

    April 18, 2019

    To recognize the critical role of high-quality child care, Child Care Council, Inc. will present its annual Start Bright Impact Awards to honor outstanding family/group family providers, legally exempt providers, child-care center and school-age program staff. Nominations can come from a parent, a child, or from another child care provider or staff member.

    The awards will be given out at our Start Bright Gala on October 16, 2019. Nominate a child care provider using the form below or download a copy here.

    May/June 2019 Caring Matters

    April 8, 2019

    Child Care Center used toys and furnishings sale

    February 20, 2019

    Saturday, February 23rd, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
    and
    Sunday, February 24th, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

    595 Blossom Road, Rochester, NY 14610
    (Use the side door (and ramp) that faces Blossom).

    Childcare center used toys and furnishings.

    Cash only!

    Please be prepared to take items at time of sale.

    No children, please.

    Ed Maier’s Sale (any questions, call 585.747.9257)

    Sign up for our newsletter or follow us on Twitter and Facebook