As Westchester schools, child care centers and after school programs continue to close temporarily, parents should act now to prepare alternate arrangements for daytime/after school care. Options may include:

• A patchwork of care with family/friends and/or splitting child care duties with neighbors
• Hiring a nanny (note – use our Nanny Guide to do your due diligence, as nannies are not covered under any regulations or oversight. Also, this option takes time and  may be expensive.)
• Calling us for a list of OCFS-regulated child care programs/providers who may be willing to offer temporary care

NOTE: If your child or a family member is sick or has any possible exposure to coronavirus, do not bring them to another child care provider unless you receive the proper guidance from the Department of Health.

Call us if we can help: 914-761-3456 x140.

Out of an abundance of caution, the Council office is closed March 12-March 18 for cleaning. We are working from home and checking voicemails. Please leave a message and a number where we can reach you. We plan to reopen on Thursday, March 19th.

Dear Provider:

OCFS has been working closely with the New York State Department of Health (DOH) to provide programs with up-to-date information regarding the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and to provide timely responses to your questions. Please review this letter carefully.

Guidance for schools which do not have COVID-19 identified in their community

To prepare for possible community transmission of COVID-19, the most important thing for schools to do now is plan and prepare. As the global outbreak evolves, schools should prepare for the possibility of community-level outbreaks. Schools want to be ready if COVID-19 does appear in their communities.

We are giving away gift cards, educational materials, training vouchers and more! Congratulations to our January and February winners. Queen’s Daughter’s Day Care received an assortment of books and a Barnes & Noble gift card. Martha Mendoza operates a Group Family Program and won a Lakeshore Gift Card and a box of assorted building blocks. Don’t miss your chance next month, join now! Monthly drawings are held every first Friday for our members.