2024 Cate Riley Innovation for Quality Prizes – 9th Year Winners!
Cathryn A. Riley “Innovation for Quality” Prizes support improvements in early care and education quality by funding new or existing projects that strengthen business practices or professional development, involve collaboration with other parties, and/or involve working with employers. This year, with the support of the Mt. Holly Foundation, 22 programs have received funding for fun, innovative ideas!
"The Child Care Council of Westchester thanks the Mt. Holly Foundation for funding exciting learning experiences in programs all over the county - a testament to the professionalism and passion of Westchester’s early childhood educators." -Kathy Halas, Executive Director, CCCW
"The Mt. Holly Foundation is honored to partner with the Child Care Council of Westchester to deliver powerfully enriching resources to Westchester's youngest learners and their families. We recognize the value of investing in high quality child care. We know when a child is seen, heard and valued, their educational experience is greatly enhanced. The 2024 Cate Riley Innovation for Quality Awards highlight vehicles for learning that do just that by providing engaging and varied activities for children with diverse interests and needs. At a time when critical child care facilities are struggling to stay open and affordable, we are grateful for the opportunity to support the development of these high quality programmatic solutions." - Mt. Holly Foundation
Congratulations, 2024 Prize Winners!
1. Amani Public Charter School for “Community Garden Revitalization", a project that targets 6th graders, bringing a story book to life and redesigning an existing garden to share with their community.
2. Beth-El Nursery School for “Regulation Station and Sensory Gym” that provides a controlled environment where children can engage in sensory experiences that support their development and well-being.
3. Country’s Children Center, Inc. for “Generations of Music Connecting Children and Seniors through Music” allowing 3rd-5th graders to weekly share music, play instruments, sing and dance and create songs while exploring music from various decades with local senior citizens.
4. Endicott’s Kids Zone, LLC for “Go Team! Soccer Academy” provides a coach to offer a weekly soccer curriculum that teaches soccer fundamentals, developing new skills, sportsmanship, self-confidence and fun for children ages 3-8.
5. Great Potential Day Care for “Backyard Playground” that includes arts & crafts, motor skills, role play and science areas.
6. Hastings Nursery School-The Co-op for “Let’s Get Bouncing” that will allow the installation of two fun, high quality playground bouncers recommended by Occupational Therapists.
7. JCC Mid Westchester for “Early Childhood Butterfly Garden” which will allow the installation of a tent to create a growing butterfly garden experience.
8. Lakeland Children’s Center for “Photography Club” that will teach children how to use a camera, compose pictures, create journals and photobooks, and share what they learn.
9. Little Angels Child Development for “Music Around Us”, an integration of music into child care using the guidelines of a NYU music therapy program, exposing children ages 18-24 months to stimulating language development activities.
10. Little Angels Child Development for “Gym Room” that will remodel and upgrade existing gym area for children 6 months to 7 years old.
11. Little Lamb Child Care, Inc. for “Playground Remodel” to purchase new outdoor play equipment (tunnel and water table).
12. Little Wonders Day Care for “Outdoor Sensory Explorers” project that will include new outdoor equipment specifically to enhance child development and enrich sensory stimulation.
13. R.A.B.Y. Stem Childcare for “Lil Olympics” to be held in July 2024 and to include game activities that promote friendly competition among classrooms, group yoga activity with parents and community participation.
14. Ridgeway Nursery School & Kindergarten for “From Seed to Mud Table” that will enhance an existing garden with support from a local farm/garden center to teach gardening skills, connect science exploration and creative play in a mud kitchen.
15. St. Ann’s Peas & Karrots for “Puzzle World” that will teach patience, organization and strategies to complete all size puzzles during summer camp.
16. The Indy Lab for “Inclusive Playground.” Following recommendations of Occupational Therapists, the playground will incorporate systems that encourage children to play in an engaging way and allows children of different abilities to play together, ensuring that no one is left out.
17. Weekday Nursery School for “Sensory Playground” that will promote motor skill development, sensory stimulation and overall sensory integration, allowing children to play and learn to modulate their impulses, bodies and emotions.
18. YMCA of Central and Northern Westchester for “SCALED Learning Curriculum” support, specifically for STEM, art, educational and large motor activity supplies.
19. YMCA of Central and Northern Westchester for “Mad Potters Gardening Club” supplies that will increase environmental awareness, healthy habits, STEM skills, and social and emotional growth through nature.
20. YMCA-Rye for “Fun with Foods” to create a vegetable and fruit garden to teach children about healthy alternatives, including a monthly parent workshop.
21. YMCA –Yorktown for “Let’s Play! A Partnership with Backyard Sports”, an innovative approach to encourage physical fitness, allowing children to develop gross motor skills and perseverance using different skills during each lesson.
22. YWCA-White Plains for 2024 “Children’s Art Exhibit” where children photographed objects, people, landscapes showing their perspectives of their surroundings. Celebrated with a gala opening enjoyed by 79 families and community.
About the Cathryn A. Riley Fund
Cathryn "Cate" Riley was a coordinator at the Council prior to her death. She was involved with the NYS Child Care Coordinating Council, now known as the Early Care and Learning Council, the coordinating vehicle for the statewide CCRR network. She also served on the NYS Department of Education Committee for Teacher Certification, the Board of the Westchester Association for the Education of Young Children and the Advisory Board of Westchester Community College. Cate was herself an intuitive and skilled leader in early care and education.
