child care solutions' newsletter june-august 2013

ConneCtion is published by Child Care solutions (315) 446-1220 www.childcaresolutionscny.org

June 2013-August 2013

Quarterly Newsletter

CONNECTIONINSIDE THIS ISSUE:

SUMMER FUNTEN TIPS FOR MAKING SUMMER A BREEZE pg. 4

Save The Dates!We Have Great Things in Store pg. 2

ANNUAL REPORT2012pg. 7-18

Tales From The Cribpg. 3

June 2013-August 2013...

CONNECTION


Child Care Solutions Will Be Closed

We will be CLOSED 9:00AM - 11:00AM

For Staff Meetings

• Monday, July 15

• Monday, August 19

• Monday, September 16

We will be CLOSED

• Thursday, July 4, Independence Day

• Friday, July 5

Don’t Get Caught Unprepared...We’re Giving You a HEADS UP!IT WOULD BE SWEET IF YOU GOT OFF THE COUCH AND MARKED YOUR CALENDAR FOR

“LAUGHTER MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE A TOT AGAIN!”Save the Date

Monday October 14, 2013Child Care Solutions’ Columbus Day Conference

“Laughter Makes You Feel Like a Tot Again”Featuring

Motivational Speaker, Comedian, Author,Yvonne Conte

“The Little Italian Girl With a BIG message”&

Child Care Trainer, Speaker, & Funny LadyGretchen Kinnell

“An Afternoon at The Improv”

3 Workshops 6 Training Hours...IT’S GOING TO BE HOT!

This Conference Will Cover All

9 OCFS Categories!

Ticket Price $50

Save The Date

SAVE THE DATEIt’s Your Business:A Mini-conference For Women Who Own Family Child Care Businesses

Date: Saturday, September 14th

Time: 8:00AM-2:00PM

Place: Drumlins Country Club 800 Nottingham Rd. Syracuse, NY

Keynote speaker: Joanne Lenweaver, Executive Director WISE Women’s Business CenterSchedule and registration forms coming soon!

Special thanks to Women’s Fund of CNYfor helping to support

this special trainingevent.

Directors MeetingsAll Child Care Center, Head Start and School-Age Child Administrators

are welcome to attend. No registration is necessary.

No Directors’ Meetings in July and August.

Fall meetings are scheduled for:

• Tuesday,September17th,9:30–11amatourAuburnoffice

• Tuesday,October8th,9:30–11amatourSyracuseoffice


CONNECTION


Wonderful Water Play4 Ways You Can Make A Fun Activity MeaningfulReprinted with permission for Capital District CCR&R Tip Sheets

When it comes to play, many children are open to wet and watery opportunities. A sink with running water is fas-cinating to busy toddlers even when they aren’t washing their hands. There is no right or wrong way to play with water. It is an afford-able, relaxing form of play that appeals to every age learner. It allows them to clear their minds, to be free and formless in their ideas as they play. When children put water in a cup, it takes the shape of a cup. They love the sounds made as they “glug” water out of an emptying bottle. Watercandrip,flow,pourorsplash.Itcanbewarm,coldorcomeinthechangingformofaslipperymeltingicecube.Thebenefitsofwaterplayfor young children are endless. When children enjoy water play they may discover:

Science & math skills: shapes, empty/full, half full/half empty, before/after, heavy/light, warm/cold, liquid/solid, wet/dry

Fine motor skills: holding tight to something slippery, using tongs, nets, scoops, funnels, basters, squeeze, squirt

Coordination skills: eye-hand, two handed work

Language skills: full, empty, pour, drip, spill, squirt, float, sink……

Social skills: by playing together children can imitate others, use their imaginations, make new friends, help friends, share materials and ideas with friends, learn new things about their friends, learn positive water play behaviors

The role of the adult during water play is to:1. Provide children with “green light” materials that can be fully ex-

plored with a minimum of interruption2. Talk with children and ask simple questions as they play3. Model positive water play behaviors and language as children play

and work out conflicts.4. Support children’s learning by helping them add to what they already

know about water and supplying varied experiences involving water.

**Water play materials must be cleaned regularly to prevent germs that can grow in warm, wet places. Children should wash their hands before playing with water. Water should be changed daily or as needed per use. Water table should be washed with soap and water and then sanitized as well as toys, giving special attention to toys that may hold water inside until squeezed out. Items should be allowed to air dry before they are used again.

Sock Rings Rock!Sue DeCarlo, Infant Toddler Specialist Child Care Solutions

STEP 1 Use an inexpensive colorful sock from the craft/dollar store

STEP 2 Cut the toe off the sock.

STEP 3Roll it up.

STEP 4Stack, wear, toss,chew, use your imagination.

Follow us on Facebook & Pinterest for more ideas like this!

Tales From The Crib

Learning Through Water Play, National Association for the Education of Young Children [NAEYC], 1997Water, Water Everywhere by Rusty Keeler, Child Care Exchange, 2004Water-based Learning Units by Sheila Milnes, Better Kid Care, Penn. State University Cooperative Extension Program


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#1 GET WET & WACKY WITH WATER• Run thru the sprinkler• Make a water table• Create a toy car wash• Have a water sponge toss• Do the water hose limbo • Have a bike wash

by Katie HowellKass NethercottPatrice Robinson

SUMMER FUNTEN TIPS FOR MAKING SUMMER A BREEZE

#2 GO ON A GREAT NATURE ESCAPE• Have a natural scavenger hunt• Spot some birds on a bird watch• Buildabutterflyhabitat• Lie down and look at the clouds• Take a hike through your neighborhood or yard

andtrytofindsomethingthatisoneofthecolors of the rainbow

#3 HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW• Makeaflowerrainbow• Plant a container garden• Make a daisy chain• Use 2 sheets of clear contact paper & place petals/

leaves between them for an instant sun catcher

#5 SAVE IT FOR A RAINY DAY• Jump in puddles• Sing in the rain• Make mud pies

#4 KICK IT OLD SCHOOL• Jump rope • Hula hoop• Kickball• Kick the can• Hopscotch• Blow bubbles• Freeze tag• Four square

#6 BRING THE INDOORS OUT• Use building blocks outside• Play board games on a blanket• Read outside

#7 PETITE PICASSOS• Freeze tempura paint in ice cube trays with popsicle sticks. Use

for paint brushes after they are frozen• Cover the driveway or sidewalk with chalk drawings• Bring easels outside for “Painting in the Park” • Paint rocks for garden decorations

#8 STEPPIN’ OUT TO CHECK THEM OUT• Rosamond Gifford Zoo• Beaver Lake Nature Center• Highland Forest• Wegmans Tram at Onondaga Lake Park

#9 LAB-OUT-DOOR-ATORY• Make a baking soda volcano• Make homemade playdough• Make milk art• Goicefishing• Visit http://www.sciencefun.org/kidszone/

experiments for instructions on these experiments

#10 KEEP IT SAFE• Remember the sunscreen• Avoid the sun between 10AM-2PM• Check with your licensor or registar for

special safety concerns

Summer Fun


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Vanilla Orange Freezer PopsFrom Eating Well: July/August 2009

Pat Kuhl, our Nutritionist is available to answer your

questions regarding children’s diet & nutrition.

Email questions to:

[email protected]

Ask The Nutritionist

Ingredients1 1/2 cups orange juice1 1/2 cups low-fat vanilla yogurt1-2 tablespoons sugar1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation1.Whisk orange juice, yogurt, sugar to taste and vanilla in a medium bowl.

2.Divide the mixture among freezer-pop molds. Insert the sticks and freezeuntilcompletelyfirm,about6hours.Dipthemoldsbrieflyinhotwater before unmolding.

Tips & NotesMake Ahead Tip: Freeze for up to 3 weeks. Equipment: Ten 3-ounce (or similar-size) freezer-pop molds

NutritionPer serving: 53 calories; 1 g fat ( 0 g sat , 0 g mono ); 2 mg cholesterol; 10 g carbohydrates; 2gprotein;0gfiber;25mgsodium;155mgpotassium. Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (32% daily value).

Thanks to everyone who particpated in our Week of the Young Child photo contest, Children Learn Through Play. We had some great entries that made itverydifficulttochoose.Thecontestwinnersreceivedgiftcertificatesforfreetraining hours from Child Care Solutions and Destiny USA gift cards. The Jewish CommunityCentertookfirstplacefortheir photo “Pyramid City.” Rothschilds Early Learning Center took second place for their photo “Tell Me A Story.” We wish everyone could have one. If the pictures are proof there are a lot of child care providers in Central New York who believe in the concept that children learn through play.

Child Care Solutions knows what a tough job child care can be. That is why this past May 10th we participated in Provider Appreciation Day. It was important to us to take the time to thank all of the hard working child care providers who are providing high quality care to the children of Central New York. We also asked parents to do the same. Remember, you are vital to parents, employers and most importantly the children of our community everyday of the year. Keep up the good work!

Week of the Young Child Photo Contest

Provider Appreciation Day

Summer is Hot...Try This

Recipe For a Healthy Way to Cool Off

We hope everyone was treated as nicely as cutie pie Ashlynn treated her child care providers, Marylee Stiles and LeeAnn Quimby.

News & Notes

Shout out to

Kelly GuyExecutive

Director atNeighborhood

House of Auburn!Kelly recently graduated from the Leadership Cayuga program.

A six-month program conducted by the Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce. Leadership Cayuga stimu-

lates public-minded thinking and increases the base of informed, capable leaders commit-

ted to using their talents to add to our community’s vitality. The program’s

more than 400 alumni are among the most informed volunteers in

Cayuga County. Congratulations Kelly and keep up the great work!


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RegulatoRy matteRs

Recognizingthatawell-trainedworkforceiscriticaltoachievinghighqualitychildcareacrossNewYorkState,TheOfficeof Children and Family Services (OCFS) is announcing that on June 1, 2013, all training funded through the Educational Incentive Program (EIP) will require that trainers have received or are in the process of receiving The New York State EarlyLearningTrainerCredential(NYSELTC)orareanapprovedVerifiedTrainerorContentSpecialistTrainer.

HavingthetitleofNewYorkStateEarlyLearningCredentialedTrainer,VerifiedTrainerorContentSpecialistTrainermeansthatthetrainerisan“endorsed”trainer.EndorsedtrainersareeligibleforEIPbecausetheirqualificationshavebeenscreened and meet the standard set to provide professional development to child care providers and early educators statewide. In addition, any trainer in the process of receiving the New York State Early Learning Trainer Credential by June 1, 2013 will be eligible for EIP funding through the end of 2013.

If you are applying for an EIP scholarship, then as of June 1, 2013, you must seek out an endorsed trainer or a trainer in the process of becoming endorsed as a New York State Early Learning Credentialed Trainer. If you are a provider who is not using EIP funding, there are presently no changes in how you obtain training that counts toward the 30-hour regula-tory training requirement. We hope, however, that you will seek out endorsed trainers since you will know that they have met the standards of being a high-quality trainer. If you currently provide training to child care staff and are interested in becoming a credentialed trainer, or if you hire persons to train your staff and want to learn more about the credentialing process, then visit the following Website: http://nyworksforchildren.org/FindPD/Trainers.aspx.

Applying for EIP? Is The Trainer Credentialed?

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends everyone use sunscreen that offers the following: • Broad-spectrum protection (protects against UVA and UVB rays).• Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 30 or greater.• Water resistance. A sunscreen that offers the above helps to protect your skin from sunburn, early skin aging, and skin cancer. However, sunscreen alone cannot fully protect you. To protect your skin dermatologists recommend the following:

• Generously apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30 to all exposed skin. “Broad-spectrum” provides pro-tection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Re-apply approximately every two hours or as indicated on the label, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.

• Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt,

pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, where pos-sible.

• Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that the sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. If your shadow is shorter than you are, seek shade.

Summer is here and we will be outside more often. What sunscreen should I use?

Remember, you need parent

permission to apply sunscreen

72012 Annual Report

HIGH QUALITY CHILD CARE IS VITALTO PARENTS, EMPLOYERS & MOST IMPORTANTLY CHILDREN.

CHILD CARE SOLUTIONS PROMOTES

EARLY LEARNING

HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT &

HIGH QUALITY CHILD CARE

FOR ALL CHILDREN THROUGH

EDUCATION

ADVOCACY &

SUPPORT FOR

FAMILIES &

EARLY CHILDHOOD PROFESSIONALS

8

Child Care Solutions is a Child Care Resource & Referral agency that has served the Onondaga County community since 1975,andCayugaCountysince2009.Weareanon-profitorganization committed to ensuring that:

Families have access to high-quality, affordable, safe child care; and

Child care providers have the knowledge and skills they need to support children’s early learning and healthy development.

Our mission is to promote:

EARLY LEARNING, HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT AND HIGH QUALITY CHILD CAREFOR ALL CHILDREN

We do this through education, advocacy & support for families & early childhood professionals.

John A. McGraw, ChairNational Grid

Marisol Hernandez, 1st Vice ChairCNY Latino

Lynn Gerrity Ames, Vice-ChairRetired

Tim Rake, TreasurerFirley, Moran, Freer & Eassa, PC

Peggy Rowe, SecretaryDannible & McKee

Michele Abdul-SaburSyracuse City School District

Rob ButkowskiPathfinder Bank

Michele FergusonChildren’s Learning Center at OCC

Suzanne GalbatoBond, Schoeneck & King

Sally HeaterGroup Family Child Care Provider

Gregory A. HinmanCayuga-Onondaga BOCES

Emilee K. Lawson-HatchBousquet & Holstein

Frank PanzettaSt. Josephs Hospital

Stella PenizottoShining Stars Day Care

Chandra Smith Salvation Army

Susan SmithSyracuse University

Nancy TehanE. John Gavras Center

Melissa WhippsSyracuse University

Holly WrightBerry Plastics

Peggy LiuzziExecutive Director

Shannon GillenAssistant Director

Mike RansonFinance Director

Patrice RobinsonMarketing & Development Director

Patricia BeckProfessional Development Director

Beth HendersonRegistration Director

STAFF LEADERSHIP

@ccscny

www.childcaresolutionscny.orgphone: 315•446•1220 toll free: 888•729•7290

email: [email protected]

34 Wright Ave.•Auburn, NY•13021•T-F•8:30-4:006724 Thompson Rd.•Syracuse, NY•13211•M-F•8:30-4:30

CONTACT CHILD CARE SOLUTIONS

2012 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

web: www.childcaresolutionscny.org

9

The landscape for early childhood development is ever changing. This past February, President Obama sounded the call for preschool education in his State of the Union Address, challenging the nation to “…make sure none of our children start the race of life already behind.” Good words, but words alone won’t bring about change. The late comedian George Carlin once said “I put a dollar in one of those change machines. Nothing changed.” That may be funny but it is also true. Change doesn’t come from money alone; from wish-ing for change; or asking for change. True change, the kind of change that has an impact on lives, comes from the hard work of dedicated people. It takes a willingness to change, to not ac-cept that what was done before is good enough; that what once worked will always work. The people at Child Care Solutions don’t rest on past success. Every day they challenge themselves to bring about the changes that make a real difference in the lives of children. They constantly seek new and better ways to serve parents and child care providers through better train-ing tools, better program content, better use of technology, and better service to their constituents. They are not just wishing for change, the staff at Child Care Solutions are working to make positive change happen.

John McGrawBoard Chair

2013 marks the 38th year that Child Care Solutions has pro-vided Child Care Resource & Referral services for local parents and providers. I’m so proud of the efforts our staff members have made over the years to strengthen child care quality and help parents to access programs that support their children’s healthy development and learning. For all the good that we have accomplished, there is so much still to be done.

The quality of child care in our community is uneven, as it is in most US communities. The range of quality stretches from excellent to mediocre to heartbreakingly bad. Some programs have beautiful space, ample materials and well-trained staff while others are in poorly maintained space with few toys and books and staff who are under-educated and who turn over fre-quently. Access to high quality child care that parents can trust is an issue for families at all economic levels, but especially for those without extended family who earn too much for govern-ment assistance and too little to pay for the best care.

We know this is important. There’s a large body of research that documents the impact that early relationships and experiences have on children’s future learning and long-term success. Until now, however, investments in early care and learning have been sporadic and inadequate, prioritizing quantity over quality. But two initiatives on the horizon give me hope.

On the federal level, President Obama has proposed a far-reaching Early Learning Initiative that will fund a continuum of high-quality early care and education programs that include all the options families and children need: child care, Head Start and PreK. At the State level there is QualitystarsNY, an early childhood quality rating & improvement system designed to encouraged and support quality improvements in programs and to share quality information with child care consumers. These initiatives deserve wide and robust support.

Thisistherighttimetolookforwardtowhatwecandotocreatealevelplayingfieldforallofour young children. This is the time to celebrate and nurture our little ones so they can become the loving parents and caring, productive citizens of the next generation. Many thanks to all who stand up for children in Onondaga and Cayuga Counties. If you haven’t taken action yet, come join us – the time is right to make early care and education a national, state and local priority.

Peggy LiuzziExecutive Director

2012A

YEAROF

CHANGE

10

WE ARE CHANGING AWARENESS

Child care and early learning in our community, state and country is not equal for all of our youngest citizens. Child Care Solutions works every day to promote early learning, healthy development & high quality child care for ALL CHILDREN through education, advocacy & support for families & early childhood professionals.

We are a powerful voice for children because we know that:• ALL CHILDREN deserve high quality care and learning experiences; but not ALL CHILDREN receive them.• ALL CHILDREN have the right to secure, trusting, nurturing relationships with adults; but not ALL CHILDREN have them. • ALL CHILDREN must have their physical, emotional and social needs met to develop to their fullest potential; but not ALL CHILDREN get them met.

IT’S ABOUT THE ECONOMY, BABY...We have always made the argument that high quality care and education is the right thing to do for children. But it is also the right thing to do for Central New York’s eco-nomic future. It is vital that the business and community lead-ers of our community understand the direct correlation between high quality care and learning and the economy. Child Care Solutions along with Success by Six® brought together business, civic, and religious leaders for a policy breakfast titled “Why Eco-nomic Development Starts at Birth.” This breakfast launched our efforts to make early care and learning a regional economic development policy initiative.

Business leaders across the country are starting to realize and voice their support for creating a high quality child care system

ALL CHILD CARE IS NOT CREATED EQUAL...There are many programs and child care providers in our community who are providing the kind of care that ALL CHILDREN need and deserve. The truth is however, there is much work to be done on this front.

Many children are spending their days in situations that are less than ideal and sometimes even dangerous. Child Care Solutions wants our community to know that we do everything we can to make sure that ALL CHILDREN are in programs that at least meet minimum health and safety standards. But if we told you that all care is of high quality and ALL CHILDREN are in good situations we would be doing these childrenadisservice.Wecannotfixthisproblemalone.Weneed more citizens to care about the kind of care that is offered to Central New York’s children and start raising their voices regarding the inequity.

Historically, child care has been treated as an afterthought by many business leaders, legislators, and community lead-ers. Working parents have been left to fend for themselves and piece together child care that ranges from good to bad and everything in between. Unless you are a parent who relies on child care, you probably don’t give it much thought. But the reality is, creating a high quality early care and learning system benefitseverycitizen,business,organizationandcommunity.

THE FIRST 5 YEARS ARE THEMOST CRUCIAL TO DEVELOPMENT...There is an inverse relationship to the amount of money spent on early care and education pro-grams and the amount of human brain development that occurs. Developmentinthefirstfiveyearsisunequalledatanyothertime in life. Language develops, motor skills advance, neurolog-ical connections are created, and the foundations for social and emotional development are formed. This knowledge spurs our commitment to creating an early care and learning system that will allow ALL CHILDREN to develop to their fullest potential.

in the United States. Their reasons are many but ultimately boil down to one common idea. Early care and education is one of the best investments we can make. Return on investment es-timates range from $4 to $17 for every $1 spent, on early care and learning, depending on the program.

According to researchers some of the most valuable returns are seen through:

• Increased achievement test scores• Decreased rates of being held back in school • Decreased placement in special education among low-

income children. • Increased high school graduation and• Decreased crime and delinquency rates1

Noted economist, Professor James Heckman, (University of Chi-cago, Nobel Memorial Prize winner in Economics) believes that investing in the early development of children will produce great returns for individuals and communities. These investments will produce better education, health, economic and social outcomes which will save taxpayers money and also increase economic productivity. Everyone wins when we invest, develop and sustain the early development of Central New York’s greatest resource — our people.

We know that the foundations for our future doctors, scien-tists, diplomats, teachers, business leaders, and all citizens are formed in their earliest years. If we make this investment today the future is bright for our region and economy.

1 (Schweinhart, Barnes and Weikart, 1993; Campbell, Ramey, Pungello, Sparling and Miller-Johnson, 2002; Reynolds, Temple, Robertson and Mann, 2001; Galinsky, 2006).

11

Little Children Need Powerful Friends! If you are interested in learning more about the child care system in Central New York and becoming an advocate for change, please contact us at [email protected]. You can follow our social media sites as well. Together we can create the child care and early learning system all children need and deserve.

The longer society waits to intervene in the life cycle of an

at-risk child, the more costly it is to

remediate disadvantage. Later

remediation for early disadvantage is

possible, but to attain what is accomplished by early investment is

much more costly.

Heckman, J. (2008). The Case for Investing in Disadvantaged Young Children. In First Fo-cus (Ed.) Big Ideas for Children: Investing in Our Nation’s Future (pp. 49–58). Washington,

D.C.: First Focus.

Providing all 20 % of the nation’s 3- and 4-year-old children who live in poverty with a high-quality

early childhood program would have a substantial payoff for governments and tax-payers in the future.

As those children grow up, costs for remedial

and special education, criminal justice, and welfare

benefits would decline. Once in the

labor force, their incomes would be

higher, along with the taxes they would pay

back to society.

Lynch, R.G. (2004). Exceptional Returns: Economic, Fiscal and Social Benefits of

Investment in Early Childhood Development. Washington, D.C.: The Economic Policy

Early care and education programs

can generate government savings that more than repay

their costs and produce returns to

society as a whole that outpace most public

and private investments.

(Kilburn, M.R. and Karoly, L.A. (2008). What the Dismal Science Has to Say About Invest-

ing in Children. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation)

We worry about what a child will be-

come tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today.

~ StaciaTauscher

12

There has long been a misconception that child care is “just babysitting.” We know, however, that child care is so much more than “just babysitting,” and we are changing minds everyday.

MINDS

WE ARE

CHANGING That is

what learning is. You suddenly understand

something you’ve understood all your life, but in

a new way. ~ Doris Lessing

PARENTS ARE A CHILD’S 1st TEACHER AND CHILD CARE PROVIDERS ARE THE 2nd...Aparent’sfirstconcernwhenchoosingchildcareisalwayssafety.It should be their number one concern, but they also need to know that the child care they choose has lasting effects on the social, emotional, intellectual and physical well being of their children. Our Parent Service Team makes sure that parents who use our services are educated about child care in our community.

• We help parents evaluate child care options.• We teach parents about the types of care available in our area.• We educate parents about what high quality child care really looks like.• We provide referrals to regulated child care providers.• Weinformparentsoffinancialaidavailabletohelppayforchildcare.• We provide parenting help & resources through our website & newsletter.• We provide referrals and education to Spanish speakers.

CHILD CARE PROVIDERS ARE PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE CRITICAL TO THE FUTURE...Brain research shows that 75% of brain growth1 and 85% of intellect, personality and social skills2 develop before children start kinder-garten. That means that child care providers play a critical role in the development of our childrens’ futures.

Because this profession is so critical, it needs to be elevated to a more respected status in our commu-nity. In order to gain this respect providers need to offer high quality care for all children. But child care providers can’t do this without training, education and support from experts. Members of Child Care Solutions’ Professional Development Team are the experts providers count on to help them elevate their skills, knowledge and quality of care.

Our Professional Development team designs training, education, and consulting to meet the demands and needs of the child care providers in our area. Top-ics range from health & safety to business practices, child development, literacy, behavior, activities, potty training, & more. We also offer a comprehensive Childhood Development Associate (CDA) program.

It is important to us to provide training that is not only high quality but also affordable for child care providers. Although child care providers do one of the most import jobs in our community, they are amongst the lowest paid professionals. We help to defray the cost of our training through fundraising and public support.

1 Christopher Wills, The Runaway Brain, 1993. 2 (Purves, Body and Brain, Harvard University Press, 1988, adopted from DW Thompson, On Growth and Form, Cambridge University Press).

13

521Professional development classes were

offered

6122Total attendance at

trainings

2115Total # of child care

providers trained

1526 Hours of professionaldevelopment training

were offered

3876Families received child

care referrals

2315# Of families who

received referrals fell below 200% of the

federal poverty level

1490 Families received

child care consult-ing from our parent

services team

284Families received

intensive consulting from our parent services team

CONNECTING AND EDUCATING PARENTS AND CHILD CARE PROVIDERS

14

WE ARE CHANGING

PRACTICESOur staff works diligently to make sure that registered programs are meeting not only the minimum health & safety standards set by the state of New York, but also going above and beyond to create high quality environments for all children.

Child Care Solutions, undertheauthorityoftheOfficeofChildren& Family Services registers, inspects and monitors family child care homes and school age child care centers for health & safety. The registrars at Child Care Solutions promote and enforce compliance with NYS OCFS regulations by providing information, education, resources, and training. They measure compliance with regulations through on-site inspections, and review of application documents. They are available to answer questions about New York State child care regulations and provide support to family child care and school-age programs.

We also provide assistance and support for legally-exempt (infor-mal) caregivers. Legally-exempt caregivers provide child care for families receiving subsidies and are exempt from the family child care licensing process by caring for no more than two non-related children fulltime. Child Care Solutions administers the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) for child care providers in our area. This federal program reimburses registered, licensed, and legally exempt child care providers for serving meals and snacks which meet the USDA guidelines to the children in their care. Because child care providers are in a unique position to help shape a lifetime of healthy eating habits we are proud to support this program. Our staff work closely with programs who want to improve the quality of nutrition offered at a critical time in young children’s development.

A 2 year grant has allowed us to offer the “Eat Well Play Hard with Day Care Homes” (EWPHDCH) program to family day care provid-ers in Central NY. This program encourages young children and their caregivers to adapt healthy and active lifestyles. It focuses on increasing the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and low-fat milk and dairy products, along with decreasing the amount of time spent at computer screens or watching TV.

Our Health Care Consultant, a Registered Nurse, provides educa-tion, support and resources on a variety of health and safety issues to child care providers. She offers guidance and training to help providers comply with New York State’s child care regulations regarding medication administration.

When children

feel safe and secure and get lots of individual

attention, that is the mark of high quality child care.

15

148Programs used our

Health Care Consultancy Service

2294CACFP claims were

submitted and processed by Child

Care Solutions

232Family Child Care

programs are registered in Onondaga County

4341# of children who can

be served by these programs

505Total number of

inspections of these programs

122Total number of inspections with

serious violations

219Total number of

inspections with no violations

127Total number of

inspections of these programs

52Total number of

inspections with no violations

31Total number of inspections with serious violations

64School Age Child Care

programs are registered in Onondaga County

1821# of children who can

be served by these programs

16

Despite today’s economic challenges, we fufill our mission with the dedication and perserverance required to improve the quality of child care for the children and parents of CNY.

2012 Expenses $3,172,009 Total

2012 Revenue$3,212,685 Total

14%

18%

23%

39%

6%Parent Services $430,081

Child Care Registration $564,110

Provider Support & Education$737,938

Child & Adult Food Care Program$1,242,627

Community Outreach, Fundraising,Management & General $197,253

14%

18%

23%

39%

6%

23%

5%

51%

3%2%

1%

6%

9%

Child Care Registration Grant$573,214

Infant-Toddler $128,795

Child & Adult Food Care ProgramGrant $1,258,960

United Way Allocation $75,277

County Support $52,456

Membership, Contributions, SpecialEvents $38,292

Eat Well Play Hard, Second Step,Misc. Grants & Other Income$141,518

Training $215,437

Our funders and donors provide the resources we need to carry out our work. We count on their invaluable support to perform our daily operations and carry out strategic plans. Thanks to our major funders:

The Economy isCHANGING

• The Allyn Foundation • Central New York Community Foundation• Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County• M&T Bank • NewYorkStateOfficeofChildren&FamilyServices• New York State Department of Health• United Way of Central New York• United Way of Cayuga County

17

EXTREME LITERACYMAKEOVER

Thanks to support from M&T Bank the Literacy Coalition of Onon-daga County and the United Way of Cayuga County we were able to launch our “Bottomless Book Bag Program.” This newly-developed literacy support program begins with classroom training for home-based family child care providers on how to use books and activities based on books to support young children’s growing language and literacy skills. The class is followed by 6 weekly home visits from one of Child Care Solutions’ Professional Develop-ment Specialists. At each visit, the provider receives a book bag containing an age-appropriate book plus materials and activities to extend lessons based on the book throughout the children’s day. Activities can include rhyming games, counting and matching, vocabulary building, social skill-building, safety lessons and arts and crafts. In the ensuing week, providers are encouraged to read the book and do the activities again with the children and to create their own activities as well. At the next visit, providers receive a new book and a new set of activities.

PARTNERSHIPS HAVE ALLOWED US TO CREATE GREAT PROGRAMS LIKE THESE...

BOTTOMLESS BOOK BAG

Thanks to support from the Allyn Foundation we were able to produce, print and distribute our Parent Guide to Finding High Qual-ity Child Care. This comprehen-sive guide is a parent manual for understanding the types of child care available in Central New York. In addition it explains what high quality care looks like. Informa-tion on scholarships and affording child care, a checklist for visits and explanations on why high quality child care is essential to healthy development is also included in this guide.

The Allyn Foundation and ABC Cayuga County also helped us update, print and distribute “Kindergarten...Here We Come.” This guide is designed to help parents and caregivers encourage children as they prepare for kinder-garten and to navigate the process of entering school. It offers tips to help children prepare to read, write, do math, and learn.

Contained inside is information on entering kindergarten for each school district in Cayuga County.

PARENT & KINDERGARTEN

GUIDES

The Extreme Literacy Make-Over was a contest, co-sponsored by the Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County, and Lakeshore Learning. It was designed to help one child care center and one home child care program enrich the literacy envi-ronments for the children in their care. Erie Canal Kids, a child care center located in Weedsport was the center winner and Jovan Dun-lap owner of Adorable DayCare in Syracuse, was the home child care winner. Both programs received $200.00 worth of materials and 10 hours of assistance from Child Care Solutions. We helped transform the physical space in each pro-gram, creating cozy reading corners and developmentally appropriate centers and activities.

The winners were chosen based on entries detailing why they wanted a makeover for their program. Jo-van’s entry stated, “Being an avid reader allowed me to stay out of trouble at an age where trouble seemed normal. I want to provide that same escape for the kids in my daycare. I don’t live in the safest side of Syracuse, but this could be an opportunity to help make a mark on a few fresh minds, hoping there will be a domino effect. I need to let these children know the world is full of open doors of possibilities.”

WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS WE ARE CHANGING

FUTURES

18

Be The Change You Want To See In The World-Mahatma Gandhi

If you are ready to start changing the child care system in Central New York, we encourage you to learn more about Child Care Solutions. Please visit us on the web at www.childcaresolutionscny.org or call us at 315-446-1220. Together we can make a difference in the lives of the children of Onondaga and

Cayuga Counties.

S U P P O R T

D O N A T E

E D U C A T E

A D V O C A T E


CONNECTION


March 2013-May 2013...Page 5

CONNECTION


This donations is being made by a(n) Individual Business

Please let us know the name of who we should recognize

I am supporting the child care providers of Central New York by contributing to the Gretchen Kinnell Scholarship Fund. The scholarships will defray costs for financially eligible child care providers, allowing them to participate in Childhood Development Associate (CDA) Credential classes and observation, assessment, & improvement programs sponsored by Child Care Solutions. Participants will enhance their understanding of child development and their ability to foster early learning for the children in their care. My donation will allow child care providers to receive the training & support necessary to create excellent early care & learning environmentsfor the children of our community.

I would like to support the Gretchen Kinnell Scholarship Fund:

$25 $50 $75

$100 $250 $500

Other

Member/Supporter RegistrationName

Name of Program/Organization

Street Address

City State

Zip Code

Phone Number

E-Mail

I am an early care & learning professional. I would like to become a professional member of child care solutions to receive discounts on training

Yes, I would like to become a professional member of Child Care Solutions

New Member Renewal

Individuals & Family Child Care $25 Individual

$25 Family Child Care Home

$40 Group Family Child Care Home (provider & up to 3 assistants)

Child Care Center or Organization $55 per location Small Child Care/Early Education Program with 5 or fewer staff

$100 per location Child Care/Early Education Program with more than 5 staff

$100 per location Non Profit CommunityOrganization

I would like to become a community supporter of Child Care Solutions. My support will allow Child Care Solutions to continue improving the early care & learning system in Central New York through training, education, outreach & advocacy.

I would like to support Child Care Solutions:

$25 $50 $75

$100 $250 $500

$ 1000 Other

This donations is being made by a(n) Individual Business

Become a Member or Community Supporter

(1) By MailComplete the member registration form and make check payable to Child Care Solutions.

Mail to:Child Care Solutions6724 Thompson Rd.Syracuse, NY 13211

(2) By WebRegister & pay online at www.childcaresolutionscny.org

(3) By PhoneCall Child Care Solutions 315-446-1220 or toll free888-729-7290 and pay by Visa, Mastercard or Discover

Please call 315-446-1220 ext. 354 with any questions. Child Care Solutions is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

Our MissionChild Care Solutions promotes early learning, healthy devel-opment and high quality care for all children through educa-tion, advocacy and support for families and early childhood professionals.

Our Locations & Business Hours

SyracuSe 6724 Thompson Road Syracuse, NY 13211

hours M-F 8:30 am-4:30 pm auburn 34 Wright Ave. Auburn, NY 13021

hourS T-F 8:30 am-4:00 pm

Our Phones & Contact Information

Main phone (315) 446-1220fax (315) 446-2010reGiStrarS office (315) 701-2707fax (315) 701-1254toll free (888) 729-7290

webSitewww.childcaresolutionscny.org

e-Mail [email protected]

Executive DirectorPeggy Liuzzi ext. 310

Assistant DirectorShannon Gillen ext. 307

Finance DirectorMike Ransom ext. 304

Director Professional DevelopmentPatricia Beck ext. 309

Marketing/Development DirectorPatrice Robinson ext. 354

Systems AdministratorPam Borreggine ext. 306

Data SpecialistNora Rudewicz ext. 311

Senior Administrative AssistantLinda Mocciaro ext. 315

Administrative TeamKay Brown ext. 345 (Accounting Asst)Laura Dixon ext. 301 (Admin. Asst) Suzanne Goodell ext. 401 (Registrar Asst)

Professional Development CoordinatorPatti Sofranko ext. 312

Health Care ConsultantMelody Scanlon ext. 332

Professional Development SpecialistsKatie Howell ext. 326Kass Nethercott ext. 336Tonia Thornton ext. 347

Infant/Toddler Region III CoordinatorSusan DeCarlo ext. 335

NutritionistPat Kuhl ext. 314

Health and Safety CoordinatorRose Walsh ext. 319

Parent Services Coordinator Mary Lanno ext. 313

Parent Services SpecialistsAna Sojo ext. 353AmieCoffinext.320Mary Marchica ext. 334

Director of Provider ServicesMichelle Wolstenholme ext. 346 Provider Services SpecialistsTracey Hare ext. 348Alexis Hyde ext. 333Ashley Lenhart ext. 349Laura Maloney ext. 305Sara Pastore ext. 352 Diane Thomas ext. 323 Registration DirectorBeth Henderson ext. 416 Registration CoordinatorSiobane Hall ext. 414 RegistrarsSue Benjamin ext. 412Joe Bernazzani ext. 411Faith Gilliam ext. 405Selena LaPoint-Dice ext. 430Casey Miner ext. 436Becky Oliver ext. 434Linda Russell Shepherd ext. 438Janie Wilson ext. 432

ChildCareSolutions6724 Thompson RoadSyracuse, NY 13211

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDSyracuse, NY

Permit No. 1027

Current resident or:

child care solutions' newsletter june-august 2013

Documents

running water

big messagechild care

water play4 ways

relaxing form of play

nykeynote speaker

fall meetings

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