April 23 is National Picnic Day. 

According to Miriam-Webster, picnic is defined as an excursion or outing with food usually provided by members of the group and eaten in the open OR a pleasant or amusingly carefree experience.

Here are some ways to celebrate national picnic day in your program:

• Search the internet for children's books about picnics, visit the local library to borrow some and read, read, read!
• Put on sunscreen, pack a blanket and a cooler of food and drinks and take lunch or snack outside.
• Invite the children's family members or favorite stuffed animal to join you for your picnic.
• If the weather isn't cooperating- throw a blanket on the floor, play some outdoor sounds in the background, and enjoy your meal or snack.

Happy picnicking!

El curso eLearning "Comprender y ayudar a los niños con necesidades especiales" se encuentra ahora disponible en español. 

Este curso totalmente narrado ofrece una descripción general sobre las diferentes discapacidades que pueden tener los niños y, si fuera necesario, los recursos que pueden usar las familias para recibir ayuda adicional. También comparte estrategias para crear entornos inclusivos y trabajar con niños con necesidades especiales.

Este curso imparte una (1) hora de capacitación en los siguientes temas de capacitación de la OCFS:

• Principios de desarrollo de la niñez
• Desarrollo de un programa de cuidado diurno infantil
• Procedimientos de seguridad y protección

Inscríbase hoy.

The e-Learning course "Understanding and Supporting Children with Special Needs" is now available in Spanish. 

This fully narrated course provides an overview of the range of disabilities children can experience and, when needed, resources families can turn to for additional support. It also shares strategies for creating inclusive environments and working with children with special needs.

This course will provide one (1) hour of training in the following OCFS training topics:

• Principles of Childhood Development
• Child Day Care Program Development
• Safety and Security Procedures

Register today.

April is Keep America Beautiful Month. 

The Keep America Beautiful Foundation is a US-based non-profit organization with the missions of reducing waste, preventing litter and beautifying communities.

Here are some ways you can help promote their missions in your child care program.

Reduce Waste:

• Recycle- if you don't already have one in the program, set up a recycling station.
• Reuse- before throwing something away, ask the children if there is another way it could be used in the program. For example, gently used telephones, computer keyboards and costumes can be used in the dramatic play area and mirrors and ice cube trays can be used in the math and science areas.

Prevent Litter:

• Put garbage and recycling cans in your outdoor spaces.
• Have the children create posters about putting garbage in cans or not littering and hang them around the program.
• "Adopt" the street or the program property and keep the space clean of litter.

Beautifying Communities:

• Plant a tree or flowers on the property. If you don't have ground space, plant flowers in a window box.
• Start a vegetable garden and use the produce in program meals and snacks and send extras home with families with recipe cards.
• Paint colorful murals and inspirational quotes on windows with tempera paint.
• Decorate the driveway, blocked off parts of the parking lot or the walkway to the program with chalk art.

And remember to give Mother Earth a special shout for Earth Day, on Monday, April 22!

El curso eLearning "Sesgo implícito en la primera infancia" se encuentra ahora disponible en español. 

Durante este curso completamente narrado, obtendrá información sobre cómo los sesgos implícitos, o no reconocidos, pueden influenciar a los niños, a sus familias y al personal en su programa de cuidado infantil. Los puntos de aprendizaje de la capacitación están mejorados mediante el uso de clips de video y ejercicios interactivos.

Este curso imparte 1.5 horas de capacitación en los siguientes temas de capacitación de la OCFS:

• Principios de desarrollo de la niñez, enfocándose en las etapas de desarrollo de todos los grupos de edad a los que el programa proporcione cuidado
• Desarrollo de un programa de cuidado infantil

Inscríbase hoy.

The e-Learning course, "Implicit Bias in Early Childhood" is now available in Spanish. 

During this fully narrated course, you will learn information pertaining to how implicit, or unrecognized, biases can influence the children, families and staff in your child care program. Learning points of the training are enhanced throughout using video clips and interactive exercises.

This course will provide 1.5 hours of training in the following OCFS training topics:

• Principles of childhood development focusing on the developmental stages of the age groups for which the program provides care
• Child day care program development

Register today.

Reminder: Update your ECETP Profile. 

ECETP and OCFS have collaborated to implement a training certificate data transfer that makes it easier to track and report your ECETP training completions. All you need to do is update your ECETP profile.

Videos detailing the process can be found in both English and Spanish in the "Featured Videos" section of the ECETP website.

Remember, if you have recently applied for fingerprinting or have changed child care programs, go to the ECETP website and update your facility information in your ECETP profile today.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. 

Being a child care provider makes you a Mandated Reporter. This means you are legally obligated to report suspected child abuse and maltreatment to the Statewide Central Register EVERY time you have a suspicion.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month– a time to recognize the importance of families and communities working together to strengthen families to help prevent child abuse and neglect.

During this month, you are encouraged to take time to learn about, or refresh your knowledge of, the signs of child abuse and ways to prevent it. One way you can do this is by registering for CUNY's School of Professional Studies' updated Mandated Reporter Training on the ECETP website.

Visit the Child Welfare Information Gateway website for more information on ways to recognize National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

March 31 is National Crayon Day! 

Crayola crayons were first introduced in 1903 in Easton Pennsylvania. Because the number of crayons an average child will use by the age of ten is 730, crayons were one of the original inductees into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 1999.

Here are some ways you can celebrate National Crayon Day in your program:

• The 31st falls on a Sunday this year, so ask everyone to dress as their favorite color crayon on the Friday before or the Monday after.
• Do all written communication for the day with crayons.
• Decorate cardboard boxes to look like crayon boxes and label one for each color. Then send the children on a color scavenger hunt around the room to find objects of a certain color and put them in the corresponding box.
• Take out the program crayon container and have the children sort out broken bits and put them in muffin tins. Put the muffin tins in a low oven and melt the crayons to make new crayons. You can separate them by a single color or make rainbow ones by adding multiple colors to one muffin cup of the tin.
• Ask children what their favorite color is and graph the results on posterboard or a bulletin board.
• Read books about crayons and colors such as The Day the Crayons Quit, Harold and the Purple Crayon and The Crayon Box that Talked.
• Make all sizes and types of crayons and different types of paper available in the art area and let the children's imaginations run wild.

As American author, Robert Fulghum once said, "We could learn a lot from crayons; some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, while others bright, some have weird names, but they all have to learn to live together in the same box."

Happy coloring!

Directors and Trainers— Are you looking for in-service training opportunities? 

On-Demand Training gives you 24/7 access to 22 training topics. They include handout materials, activities, and directions for conducting On-Demand Training sessions. Directors and/or qualified trainers in child day care centers, school-age child care programs, enrolled legally exempt group programs, and qualified trainers in CCR&Rs and can apply to become On-Demand Trainers. Learn more about On-Demand Training!.

March 18 is Global Recycling Day! 

Global Recycling Day is a day to spread awareness about the need for recycling to help save the planet. This year's theme of Global Recycling Day is #RecyclingHeroes.

To celebrate, you can have individual children or the group design their own recycling superhero:

• What do they look like?
• What do they wear?
• What are their superpowers?
• Do they have a special catch phrase or slogan?

Have children draw their version of a Recycling Hero to share with the group, post on a bulletin board or feature in a newsletter. You could make this a longer project by writing and illustrating a class book to share with families. Maybe you could even turn their book into a small play they put on for other classes and families to help spread the importance of recycling. This could even turn into a fundraiser to purchase supplies, such as recycling containers and posters, to start a program-wide recycling initiative if you don't already have one in place.

Other things you can do are:

• Set up a recycling center in your dramatic play area where children can practice sorting the different types of clean recyclable materials (paper, plastic, etc.). To reduce children's exposure to allergens during this activity, avoid using containers that contained food.
• Put containers in the program to collect items that have a 5-cent deposit and take them to a redemption center. You could donate the proceeds to local charity or to a program initiative to purchase needed books or art supplies or to help fund the cost of a field trip.

Happy recycling!

Time to spring forward! Daylight Saving time begins on Sunday, March 10. 

That means it's time to move those clock hands ahead one hour so that daylight begins an hour later in the morning and lasts an hour longer in the evening.

This is a great time to:

• Make sure to update all the clocks throughout the program to account for the time change.
• Check and/or change batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Review all blue cards (Day Care Registration) and yellow cards (Individual Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Action Card) with families to make sure the information is up to date.
• Conduct a Shelter in Place drill.
• Check all first aid kits and emergency bags to make sure items are still in good working order, that nothing is expired and replenish items as needed.

Second Quarter Virtual Class Registration Now Open. 

Registration is now open for all virtual classes in the second quarter of 2024! Sign up now for these interactive training opportunities on important topics such as fulfilling your responsibilities as a mandated reporter, understanding and responding to allergies and developing positive relationships with your regulator. Class capacity is limited, so register today to secure your seat for Virtual Class training.

March 3rd is I Want You To Be Happy Day! 

This is a day that encourages everyone to do something that makes others happy.

Some things you can do in your program to help spread happiness are:

• Smiling is infectious. It's hard not to return a smile when someone sends one your way, so take pictures of everyone in the program smiling and put them on display throughout the program in places everyone can see.
• Have children draw pictures of smiles and paste them to craft sticks. Put them in a container the children have access to and encourage them to wear them when they think someone needs a smile.
• Sing "If You're Happy and You Know It" with the children and ask them what makes them happy and add those ideas to the song when you can.
• Share joke books in the book area and ask children to share their favorite jokes with the group. You can put some of the favorites in a container that can be shared when someone needs a pick-me-up.
• Offer a handshake, high five, fist bump or hug when someone needs one.

Remember, according to the Dalai Lama, "Happiness is the highest form of health.", so be sure to spread happiness throughout every day.

Directors and Trainers— Are you looking for in-service training opportunities? 

On-Demand Training gives you 24/7 access to 22 training topics. They include handout materials, activities, and directions for conducting On-Demand Training sessions. Directors and/or qualified trainers in child day care centers, school-age child care programs, enrolled legally exempt group programs, and qualified trainers in CCR&Rs and can apply to become On-Demand Trainers. Learn more about On-Demand Training!.

El curso eLearning "Desarrollando sobre los fundamentos de salud y seguridad" se encuentra ahora disponible en español. 

Durante este curso completamente narrado, los aprendices recibirán una revisión de la información importante presentada en el Aprendizaje a distancia sobre fundamentos de salud y seguridad. También se les proveerán actualizaciones e información nueva en todas las áreas de los requisitos de salud y seguridad obligatorios a nivel federal.

Este curso imparte cinco (5) horas de capacitación en los siguientes temas de capacitación de la OCFS:

• Principios de desarrollo de la niñez
• Seguridad y protección
• Estatutos y regulaciones sobre el cuidado infantil
• Experiencias adversas en la niñez
• Nutrición y salud
• Registros empresariales
• Estatutos y regulaciones sobre el CAM
• Desarrollo de un programa de cuidado infantil
• Identificación y prevención del CAM
• Síndrome del bebé sacudido

Inscríbase hoy.

The e-Learning course, "Building on the Foundation of Health and Safety" is now available in Spanish. 

During this fully narrated course, trainees will receive a review of important information presented in the Foundations in Health and Safety e-Learning. They will also be provided with updates and new information in all areas of the federally mandated health and safety requirements.

This course will provide 5 (five) hours of training in the following OCFS training topics:

• Principles of Childhood Development
• Safety and Security
• Child Care Statutes and Regs
• Adverse Childhood Experiences
• Nutrition and Health
• Business Records
• CAM Statutes and Regs
• Child Care Program Development
• CAM ID and Prevention
• Shaken Baby Syndrome

Register for the latest e-Learning coursestoday.

COVID and Communicable Disease Reporting. 

OCFS issued a Dear Provider Letter in English and Spanish that addressed several questions concerning COVID-19 and communicable disease reporting.

All programs located outside NYC must report all communicable diseases to the local health department in the county where the patient resides. They must use:

• DOH-389 Requirements and Instructions which indicates which diseases must be reported immediately via telephone, and which diseases must be reported within 24 hours of diagnosis via mail; and
• DOH 389 Communicable Disease Reporting Form which is the Confidential Case Report which includes patient and reporter information.

Programs located in NYC must use the NYC DOHMH Communicable Disease Reporting Form.

We encourage you to reach out to your regulator with any questions.

Explore college-credit bearing Early Childhood micro-credential and certificate programs for child care providers. 

Did you know that SUNY and CUNY offer Early Childhood college credit-bearing micro-credentials and certificate programs tailored for individuals currently working in the child care field and those interested in a career in child care? Programs are available online and on campus. To learn more please visit the SUNY or CUNY websites or contact the Early Childhood Career Development Center in your region for career advisement. Prepare now for upcoming Summer and Fall semesters!

When was the last time you sent or received a piece of mail, rather than an email or text? 

Wednesday, February 7, 2024 is National Send a Card to a Friend Day.

Letter writing has becoming a lost art. Let's help keep this way of communication alive by having the children create and send a card, letter or piece of artwork to a loved one, an essential worker or a resident of a nursing home.

Other things you can do in your program to help celebrate Send a Card to a Friend Day are:

• talk about the post office and how the mail works,
• take a field trip to post office or have your postal carrier come in to speak to the children, and/or
• set up post office in the dramatic play area with paper, writing tools, envelopes, stampers and ink or stickers to use as "stamps".

Happy mailing!

February is Black History Month. 

Research shows that children in preschool begin sorting people by race. That's why it's important that children of all backgrounds talk and learn about their own and other cultures.

Some African Americans and their achievements you can celebrate during the month include:

• Alfred Cralle- inventor of the mechanical ice cream scoop. Put ice cream scoops in the sand table and/or have ice cream scoop relay races where children take turns scooping up colorful pom poms into the scoop and putting them in different ice cream bowls around the room.
• Garrett Morgan- inventor of the improved traffic light to include the "yield" or yellow light. Add a yellow light (walk) direction to a game of Red light (stop), Green Light (run).
• Archie Alexander- responsible for the construction of many roads and bridges. Encourage children to build roads and bridges in the block area and take pictures to make a book.
• Sara Boone- invented an ironing board that allowed sleeves of women's garments to be ironed more easily. Put an ironing board, play iron and garments with sleeves in the dramatic play area.
• Roger Arliner Young- first African American woman to receive a doctorate degree in zoology. Put animal costumes in the dramatic play areas, add zoo animals to the block area, take a trip to a local zoo.

Also, be sure to check out the OCFS DEIA Toolkit for ways to expand children's access and exposure to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility throughout the program in organic ways.

Directors and Trainers— Are you looking for in-service training opportunities? 

On-Demand Training gives you 24/7 access to 22 training topics. They include handout materials, activities, and directions for conducting On-Demand Training sessions. Directors and/or qualified trainers in child day care centers, school-age child care programs, enrolled legally exempt group programs, and qualified trainers in CCR&Rs and can apply to become On-Demand Trainers. Learn more about On-Demand Training!.

We often talk about making sure toys and equipment children use are safe and age-appropriate, but how often do you think about how you store them? 

Your most important job as a child care provider is to keep the children safe, so let's make a resolution to spend some time evaluating materials and how you store them in your program.

When it comes to toy storage:

• Use boxes or containers to store toys for young children.
• Plastic bags pose a suffocation hazard, so NEVER store toys in them and ALWAYS keep them up out of the reach of children.
• Only use toy chests with a safety lid so children can't get injured or trapped.
• To reduce the chance that a child will climb or tip over furniture, put toys on low shelves that are properly anchored.

Cold, Flu or COVID? 

The winter months see an increase in the diagnosis of the flu, colds and COVID-19. Because many of the symptoms are similar, here's some information to help you distinguish between the three.

The Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus that infect the nose, throat and sometimes the lungs. People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms: fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, muscle/body aches, headaches, fatigue and some may have committing and diarrhea (more common in children).

Colds are contagious respiratory illnesses caused by a number of different viruses. Colds have similar symptoms to the flu, but people with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose and they generally do not result in serious health problems.

COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory illness caused by infection with a coronavirus. Covid spreads more easily that the flu and people infected with COVID take longer to show symptoms and may be contagious for longer periods of time. COVID shares many of the same symptoms as the flu, but with these differences: diarrhea can occur in any age and a change in, or loss, of taste or smell are more frequent with COVID.

If children in your program are showing any of these signs or symptoms, you should contact the family. In order to do this, you need to make sure you can reach them. Make time to speak with each family to review their emergency contact information and make any necessary updates. And be sure you are conducting your daily health checks on the awake child, as they arrive at the program with the parent present and if there are changes in the child's health throughout the day.

The newest e-learning course, "Understanding Challenging Behavior in Legally Exempt Child Care", is available for training. 

This fully narrated course examines the "why" behind children's behaviors. It shares strategies you can use with all children to help address challenging behavior. This course also discusses the importance of self-care and ways you can address your own feelings of stress.

This course will provide you with 1.5 hours of training in the following OCFS training topics:

• Principles of Child Development
• Safety and Security
• Child Care Program Development
• Adverse Childhood Experiences

Register today for the newest e-learning course, "Understanding Challenging Behavior in Legally Exempt Child Care".

Celebrating Fairness and Respect. 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. believed that no matter what you look like or where you come from, everyone deserves to be treated fairly and with respect. This year we celebrate his life and teachings on January 15th.

You can help keep his dream alive in your program by:

• Reading books about Martin Luther King Jr. or diversity with the children in your care. The OFCS DEIA Toolkit Publication 5533F- "DEIA Books" is a great resource to help you find appropriate books for the age groups you care for.
• Promoting acts of kindness in your program. You can do this is by setting up an appreciation board. This could be a white board, bulletin board or large piece of posterboard you post somewhere in the program where people can write down acts of kindness they witness. Read the notes with the children and then post them on the program's social media sites or put them in a newsletter. This is something you can start this month and keep it going all year long.
• With older children, explore the power of words. Introduce a word of the day or week, such as stereotype, bias, privilege, diversity, inclusion, equity, accessibility, peace, etc. Define the word and talk about how it makes the children feel and what can be done in the program to make change. Again, the OCFS DEIA Toolkit has publications that can help you do this.
• As a group, do something age-appropriate with the children that makes the lives of someone else a little better. Some examples are cleaning up the playground or local park, collecting canned goods for a food pantry, collecting clothes for those in need, making crafts or treats to send to a nursing home or making thank you cards for essential workers and mailing them to fire houses, police departments, hospitals and schools.

By engaging in activities like this every day in your program you can help spread Dr. King's message and bring your program one step closer to achieving his dream.

ECETP Training Opportunities for 2024. 

A new year is here. A time for growth, change and renewal. Maybe you've made a resolution to get on top of your training requirements. If that's the case, the Early Childhood Education and Training Program (ECETP) is here to help!

Providers with an active account have access to our eLearning catalog, virtual classes and more.

If you don't have an account, it's easy to create one:

• Go to the ECETP Account Login page.
• Click on "Create a New ECETP Account".
• Participants will be asked to fill in their:
  • first name,
  • last name, and
  • an email address – this should be a personal email not a work email.
• Click "Send Verification Link".
• Check email supplied and click on the link in the verification email.
• Create a password, then click "Create your account".
• Click "Go to login".
• Enter the email address and password, then click "Login".
• Enter demographic information, then click "Submit".

If you do have an account, this is a great time to check your profile and make any necessary updates. When your profile is up to date you will get important emails from us about training opportunities and your training certificates will automatically be sent directly to OCFS. The ECETP website has both an English video and a Spanish video that can help you update your profile.

What are you waiting for? Get online, create an account, and get started on fulfilling your OCFS training requirements today!

Directors and Trainers— Are you looking for in-service training opportunities? 

On-Demand Training gives you 24/7 access to 22 training topics. They include handout materials, activities, and directions for conducting On-Demand Training sessions. Directors and/or qualified trainers in child day care centers, school-age child care programs, enrolled legally exempt group programs, and qualified trainers in CCR&Rs and can apply to become On-Demand Trainers. Learn more about On-Demand Training!.

Winter Safety Tips 

The winter months are filled with ice and snow, celebrations and festive holiday decorations and foods, all of which bring their own special set of safety related things to think about and prepare for.

Winter weather in New York can be unpredictable. It's important to be prepared for cold temperatures, business closures, icy road and walking conditions and power outages.

Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for tips on how to stay safe and healthy in winter. They offer advice on preparing your home, vehicle, being ready for emergencies and precautions to take while engaging in outdoor activities.

Speaking of outdoors activities, it's important that young children get daily safe outdoor time. Consult the Child Care Weather Watch chart to make sure weather conditions allow for this before going outside. It's a good idea to print these charts and post them in every room or near doors leading to the outside of your program so everyone has access to the information.

The colder weather, decorating and cooking and baking for gatherings present special fire safety precautions we need to be aware of. Visit the American Red Cross for more information on holiday fire safety tips.

Wishing you all a safe and happy winter season!

Partnering with Your Regulator: Developing Positive Relationships 

As a holiday gift to you, a NEW virtual class, Partnering with Your Regulator: Developing Positive Relationships, is being offered this Thursday evening from 6:00-7:30 PM. Visit the ECETP website to register for Partnering with Your Regulator: Developing Positive Relationships!

Safe Toys and Gifts Month 

December is the biggest gift-giving month of the year.

Keep these safety tips in mind as your program purchases or receives new items:

• Inspect toys before you buy them, or if new, before letting children use them. Look for sharp edges, small parts or parts that could be easily removed. Be cautious of items with button batteries, cords, ropes, magnets or ones that can heat up.
• Toys are age-rated for safety so be sure the age and skill level marked on the toy matches that of the child(ren) using it.
• Check labels to make sure items are lead-free, non-toxic and up to ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards.

This is also a good time inspect what you already have to make sure it's still in good working condition and still safe for the children to use.

Visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for information on the latest recalls and to sign up for their customizable recall email list.

Be sure to share this information with families through a newsletter, bulletin board, fact sheet or text/email.

Happy holidays and safe gift giving and receiving!

Salmonella Outbreak causes Cantaloupe Recall 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Food Safety Alert regarding an outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to cantaloupes. Malichita and Rudy brand whole cantaloupes have been recalled. They might have a sticker on them that says "Malichita" or "Rudy" with the number "4050", and the "Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique". Several pre-cut fruit products have been made with the recalled whole cantaloupe. A complete list of the recalled food can be found on the CDC website.

As of November 28, 2023, 117 people in 34 states (including NY) have gotten sick. Several have been hospitalized and there have been two reported deaths. The CDC is concerned about this outbreak because illnesses are severe and people in long-term care facilities and childcare centers have gotten sick.

To protect your program from the salmonella outbreak you should:

• NOT USE any recalled whole or pre-cut cantaloupe;
• NOT SERVE any cantaloupe that was supplied pre-cut if you don't know if recalled whole cantaloupes were used;
• Wash items and surfaces that may have touched the cantaloupe using hot soapy water or a dishwasher; and
• Call a health care provider if you or anyone in your program has severe Salmonella symptoms.

If you have questions about any cases in New York, please contact the NYS Department of Health (DOH).

Handwashing Awareness Month 

Flu and other winter-related illness season is upon us. The easiest, cheapest and most effective way to prevent the spread of germs is proper handwashing.

That's why NYS Child Day Care Regulations require you, and the children, to thoroughly wash hands with soap and running water when they are dirty, after toileting or assisting children with toileting, before and after food handling or eating, after handling pets or other animals, after contact with any bodily secretion or fluid, and after coming in from outdoors. Additionally, you are required to wash your hands with soap and water at the beginning of each day, before and after the administration of medications and after changing a diaper.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) list five steps to properly wash hands: wet, lather, scrub, rinse, dry.

Remember, hand sanitizers that contain at least 60% alcohol can be used on hands when soap and water are not readily available. But remember, they don't get rid of all types of germs, so use them when you need to but wash with soap and water as soon as you can.

The CDC website has downloadable resources designed to help raise awareness about the importance of handwashing at key times in both homes and public settings.

Be sure to visit the NYS Department of Health website for more information about seasonal influenza for children and adolescents.

Wishing you a healthy winter season!

Directors and Trainers— Are you looking for in-service training opportunities? 

On-Demand Training gives you 24/7 access to 22 training topics. They include handout materials, activities, and directions for conducting On-Demand Training sessions. Directors and/or qualified trainers in child day care centers, school-age child care programs, enrolled legally exempt group programs, and qualified trainers in CCR&Rs and can apply to become On-Demand Trainers. Learn more about On-Demand Training!.

Family Stories Month 

Children who spend significant amounts of time outside of their home, whether in child care or school, need to see themselves represented in these environments. This helps boost their self-esteem and teaches them about diversity and inclusion. As the holidays roll around, it's a great time to ask families to collect information about their family history they can share with the program.

Some suggestions for sharing family stories are:

• Use the OCFS DEIA ToolKIt- All About Me form as a template to create an "All about My Family" form that each family fills out and returns to you. Then take the information you get to make each child's family book that can be displayed in the program and read during story time.
• Feature a "Family of the Week" on the program's website, newsletter or bulletin board.
• Ask family members to come in and share something special about their family. It could be a custom or tradition they have, a celebration they observe, a favorite recipe or heirloom, etc. If they can't get to the program in person, ask them to send in a note, picture or video.

Remember, when we know more about each other, we can develop stronger relationships and build better communities for all.

Recalled Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Action Network (HAN) Health Advisory regarding high blood levels in Children Consuming Recalled Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches. Multiple states have reported potential cases to the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) of high blood levels in children consuming recalled cinnamon-containing applesauce products that have high levels of lead.

Certain apple puree and applesauce products are affected at this time. This includes all lot codes and expiration dates of:

1. WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Purée Pouches
2. Schnucks Applesauce Pouches (cinnamon flavor and variety pack)
3. Weis Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches (i.e., specific lots of UPC 041497216123)

These products were sold and distributed by multiple retailers, including Sam's Club, Amazon, and Dollar Tree. As this investigation is ongoing, consumers who have purchased these products should discard them immediately and contact their health care provider if their children may have eaten these recalled fruit pouches and/or have symptoms of lead toxicity.

Visit the FDA web site for more information regarding the ongoing FDA investigation.

You can also find more information on the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets website.

National Gratitude Month 

Gratitude is more than simply saying "thank you." It's a positive emotion that involves being grateful and appreciative of good things that happen, including life's big events as well as everyday pleasures that often go unnoticed. Expressing gratitude can enhance mood, decrease stress, improve overall health and wellbeing.

Some things you can do in your program to encourage expressing gratitude are:

• Practice a daily Moment of Gratitude. For younger children, ask them to share something they are grateful for during mealtime or group time. For older children, have them write in a daily gratitude journal and share their thoughts.
• Have everyone create "I am grateful for…" paintings, drawings or collages that you can display around the program.
• Hang a piece of posterboard near the entrance of the program where families can write down things they are grateful for. Share some of the comments in the program's newsletter or an email.
• Hand out "Gratitude Badges" (stickers) when you see someone expressing gratitude to someone else.

Remember, we are grateful for you and all you do for the children and families of New York State.

National Family Literacy Month 

Research shows that reading aloud with children is the most important thing you can do to prepare them to read on their own. Reading together helps develop positive bonds between the adult and the child while making memories that last a lifetime.

You can encourage family literacy events by:

• Putting together literacy bags containing a book and a simple activity families can do at home.
• Setting up a lending library in the program where families can check out books to read at home.
• Asking someone from the local library to visit the program to get families signed up for a library card.
• Picking a book the entire program will read at home and have a book club bulletin board where families can write down their thoughts about the book. These could be their favorite part, character or quotes from the book or questions they have. Add the information to your program's newsletter or website at the end of the month.
• Having a program-wide book swap table where families can bring in a book they longer read, put it on the table and trade it for another one on the table.

Directors and Trainers— Are you looking for in-service training opportunities? 

On-Demand Training gives you 24/7 access to 22 training topics. They include handout materials, activities, and directions for conducting On-Demand Training sessions. Directors and/or qualified trainers in child day care centers, school-age child care programs, enrolled legally exempt group programs, and qualified trainers in CCR&Rs and can apply to become On-Demand Trainers. Learn more about On-Demand Training!.

"I'm Just Me Because" Month 

We're all unique people who bring something special to every environment we walk into. Our individuality is what makes this world a special place, so find time this month to celebrate diversity and highlight what makes each person in your program special.

Build ways to allow everyone to express their individuality throughout all areas of your program by:

• Making "All about Me" books or posters. Collect information about the children, such as their favorite color, toys, hobbies, etc. Use what you learn to help the child author a book or poster that can be shared with everyone in the program. Having these items on display will help people see their similarities and what things make us unique. Sharing this information can help make new connections, build friendships and open up opportunities for new experiences.
• Making mirrors and diverse art materials available so children can create authentic drawings, paintings and sculptures of themselves.
• Celebrating a child of the day or week. This is a great time to share the child's "All about Me" book and art creations with everyone.

For more information about diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) visit the DEIA Toolkit section of the OCFS website.

Remember, there's only one you, so encourage everyone to be themselves today and every day.

National Bullying Prevention Month 

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), "bullying is a form of aggressive behavior in which someone intentionally and repeatedly causes another person injury or discomfort."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) list 5 types of bullying: physical, verbal, relational/social, damage to property of the victim and cyberbullying.

Bullying can leave lasting effects on those who experience it, so it's important we help children understand what it is and what they can do if they experience it or see it happening to someone else.

For more information on ways to prevent bullying, visit StopBullying.gov and the CDCbullying prevention websites.

Dear Provider: Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood-PLUS (MCCYN-PLUS) 

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is pleased to announce that New York State has been selected as the first state approved to qualify licensed/registered child care providers for participation in the military fee assistance program. We are so excited for this opportunity for our providers!

Estimado proveedor de cuidado infantil: El programa de asistencia con cuotas para familias de militares (MCCYN-PLUS) 

La Oficina de Servicios para Niños y Familias del Estado de Nueva York (OCFS, por sus siglas en inglés) se complace en anunciar que el estado de Nueva York ha sido seleccionado como el primer estado aprobado para calificar a los proveedores de cuidado infantil registrados o con licencia para participar en el programa de asistencia con cuotas para familias de militares. ¡Estamos muy entusiasmados con esta oportunidad para nuestros proveedores!

October is National Fire Prevention Month. 

Keeping children safe is your number one priority. This includes being prepared for emergencies such as fires. Young children learn by doing and through repetition, so it's important to practice fire safety tips throughout the year.

Some special things you can do to emphasis fire safety during October are:

• Introducing a game of Stop, Drop and Roll (modeled after Red Light, Green Light).
• Touring a local fire department or asking them to bring a truck and/or firefighters to your program so children can see the gear and ask questions.
• Adding firefighter gear and phones to the dramatic play area so children can get familiar with the gear and practice dialing 911.
• Adding fire trucks and firefighters to the block area.
• Having children crawl from place to place during transitions to practice protecting themselves from smoke inhalation.

ECETP Profile Update Reminder 

Earlier this year, ECETP and OCFS collaborated to implement a training certificate data transfer that makes it easier to track and report your ECETP training completions. All you need to do is update your ECETP profile.

Videos detailing the process can be found in both English and Spanish in the "Featured Videos" section of the ECETP website.

Remember, if you have recently applied for fingerprinting or have changed child care programs, go to the ECETP website and update your facility information in your ECETP profile today.

Directors and Trainers— Are you looking for in-service training opportunities? 

On-Demand Training gives you 24/7 access to 22 training topics. They include handout materials, activities, and directions for conducting On-Demand Training sessions. Directors and/or qualified trainers in child day care centers, school-age child care programs, enrolled legally exempt group programs, and qualified trainers in CCR&Rs and can apply to become On-Demand Trainers. Learn more about On-Demand Training!.

Baby Safety Month. 

Babies are our most vulnerable population. They need the help of trusting and caring adults in their lives to get their basic needs met. That's why it's on us to make sure we are providing safe environments for them to grow and develop in.

Some things you can do to keep babies safe while in your care are:

• Go online and open the New York State Child Day Care Regulations for the modality of care you provide. Search the word "infant" and "baby" to review all relevant regulations to be sure you are in compliance, especially in the areas of safe sleep.
• Get on the floor so you can see things from the child's level and assess any potential hazards.
• Visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website to sign up for communication on the latest recalls.
• Anchor large pieces of furniture and televisions to reduce tip hazards.
• Cover outlets, put gates at the top and bottom of stairs, remove blind cords and put safety latches on cabinets and toilets.
• Remove anything that poses a choking hazard.

National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. 

Childhood obesity is a complex disease with many contributing factors such as genetics, eating patterns, physical activity levels and sleep routines. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "childhood obesity is a serious health problem in the United States where 1 in 5 children and adolescents are affected." If not addressed, childhood obesity can often last into adulthood and can lead to lifelong health issues such as diabetes, certain cancers and sleep disorders.

As a child care provider you have a unique opportunity to reduce obesity risks by providing children of all ages with safe places and spaces for physical activity, healthy meals and snacks, plenty of water for hydration and time to rest.

You can find many obesity prevention programs in community, child care, school and health care settings on the New York State Department of Health's website. Be sure to share this information and other resources about childhood obesity with colleagues and families.

Actualizaciones importantes sobre la Subvención para la Retención de Trabajadores (PDF, Español/Spanish)  

Important Workforce Retention Grant Updates (PDF, English)  

National Preparedness Month. 

You never know when an emergency might happen so it's vital that you are prepared. That's why September observes National Preparedness Month.

Emergencies include natural disasters (floods, snowstorms, tornadoes, etc.) and human-made disasters (fires, terrorism, crime, etc.). The type of emergency determines the type of action you should take– evacuation (relocate) or shelter in place (stay where you are). Make sure everyone knows when to choose which option and what they should do.

It's important to practice both evacuation and shelter in place drills with children so everyone knows what to expect if an emergency should occur. New York State Child Day Care Regulations provide specific information on when you should be conducting your different preparedness drills.

This is a great time to take out your emergency plan and review it to see if it needs any updating. Once it's ready to go, make sure everyone in the program knows what it says and how to follow it.

The NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) has a safety and emergency planning section that contains information on home safety, disaster preparedness, disaster recovery, trauma response, activities for children and resources. Check it out for great ideas you can implement in your program and share with families so everyone can be prepared.

Directors and Trainers— Are you looking for in-service training opportunities? 

On-Demand Training gives you 24/7 access to 22 training topics. They include handout materials, activities, and directions for conducting On-Demand Training sessions. Directors and/or qualified trainers in child day care centers, school-age child care programs, enrolled legally exempt group programs, and qualified trainers in CCR&Rs and can apply to become On-Demand Trainers. Learn more about On-Demand Training!.

Children's Eye Health and Safety Month. 

August is Children's Eye Health and Safety Month. It's important to take good care of your eyes because they help you see clearly and understand the environment around you. Good eye health is also a major contributor to success in school.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) signs of vision loss include:

• closing or covering one eye,
• squinting the eyes or frowning,
• complaining that things are blurry or hard to see,
• having trouble reading or doing other close-up work, or holding objects close the eyes in order to see, and
• blinking more than usual or seeming cranky when doing close-up work.

Some things you can do to promote good eye health are:

• provide information to families and staff via a newsletter or program bulletin board,
• encourage families to schedule an eye exam for their child,
• promote the wearing of sunglasses when outdoors, and
• take a look at your menu to see if you can add foods that promote eye health such as dark leafy greens (spinach, kale and collard greens) and fish (tuna, salmon and halibut).

August is National Sandwich Month. 

According to the USDA, on any given day 47% of adults eat a sandwich and nearly one-half of all sandwiches are eaten at lunch.

Miriam Webster, defines a sandwich as:

• two or more slices of bread or a split roll having a filling in between; or
• one slice of bread covered with food; or
• something resembling a sandwich, especially composite structural materials consisting of layers often of high-strength facings bonded to a low strength central core.

Try some of these ideas in your program to help celebrate sandwiches:

• Take a look at your current menu. Are there any sandwiches on it? If not, add one. If yes, see if there is a way you could jazz it up by switching up an ingredient or adding a new one. You can find some CACFP sandwich recipes online.
• Poll the children to find out what their favorite sandwiches are and share the results with families in a newsletter or by having a family luncheon where you serve the winner.
• Try a sandwich such as a torta, Bành Mì or gyro. Ask families to share sandwich recipes or samples from their cultures.
• Tell the children what the dictionary definition of a sandwich is and have conversations. Some items you could debate are hamburgers, quesadillas, wraps, tacos and lasagna.
• Invent your own sandwich and have a taste test; poll others in the program to get their thoughts.
• Assemble a sandwich recipe book and sell it as a fundraiser.

The Child Care Providers Workforce Retention Grant Application Portal is Open! 

Governor Kathy Hochul announced a $500 million investment in the FY 2024 Budget to bolster New York’s child care workforce through the Workforce Retention Grant Program. Get more information and complete an applicationfor the Workforce Retention Grant.

August is Get Ready for Kindergarten Month! 

The term Kindergarten readiness may bring to mind thoughts about learning the alphabet, numbers, shapes and colors. But there's so much more to it than that. Having social, emotional and behavioral skills are equally important. That's why we need to focus on the development of the whole child.

Here are some tips from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) to help prepare children for Kindergarten you can share with families:

• help them develop independence at home,
• focus on self-help skills,
• teach responsibility,
• develop and follow routines,
• read aloud to the child,
• engage in meaningful literacy activities, and
• acknowledge their feelings.

Directors and Trainers—Are you looking for in-service training opportunities? 

On-Demand Training gives you 24/7 access to 22 training topics. They include handout materials, activities, and directions for conducting On-Demand Training sessions. Directors and/or qualified trainers in child day care centers, school-age child care programs, enrolled legally exempt group programs, and qualified trainers in CCR&Rs and can apply to become On-Demand Trainers. Learn more about On-Demand Training!.

Workforce Retention Grant. 

On May 31, 2023, Governor Kathy Hochul announced a $500 million investment in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget to bolster New York's child care workforce through the Workforce Retention Grant program. Funding from the program will support up to 150,000 child care workers with bonus payments ranging from $2,300 to $3,000 to staff in caregiving roles, as well as funding to support child care program's efforts to recruit new staff, offer sign-on and referral bonuses, and more.

The Workforce Retention Grant program is for eligible New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) licensed/registered school-age child care programs (SACC), day care centers (DCC), family day care homes (FDC), group family day care homes (GFDC), small day care centers (SDCC) and Ney York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) permitted Article 47 group day care centers (GDC).

The Application portal for the Workforce Retention Grant program is now open! It closes September 15th.

Don't forget to update your ECETP profile! 

Earlier this year, ECETP and OCFS collaborated to implement a training certificate data transfer that makes it easier to track and report your ECETP training completions. All you need to do is update your ECETP profile.

Videos detailing the process can be found in both English and Spanish in the "Featured Videos" section of the ECETP website.

Remember, if you have recently applied for fingerprinting or have changed child care programs, go to the ECETP website and update your facility information in your ECETP profile today.

July is National Anti-Boredom Month. 

As we get deeper into the summer season, we begin to hear the children utter those all too familiar words, "I'm bored!" Feeling bored from time to time is normal, but those who get bored easily are more prone to depression, anxiety and aggression. There are many ways you can help children combat boredom, including:

• offering them opportunities to investigate a new hobby such as gardening or bird watching;
• getting a change of scenery through a walk around the neighborhood or going on a field trip;
• providing them opportunities to learn a new skill such as playing an instrument or cooking;
• involve them in volunteer efforts by making art or thank you cards and sending them to a local nursing home, fire house or police department;
• rotating toys, materials and books in the program to mix things up;
• going on a scavenger hunt;
• introducing new board games and active play ideas.

July is National UV Safety Awareness Month! 

July is prime time to be outdoors enjoying the warm weather. However, the more time you spend outdoors during the day, the more exposure you have to the sun's harmful Ultraviolet (U.V.) rays– invisible radiation that comes from the sun, tanning beds and sun lamps. These rays can damage our skin and eyes all year round, on cloudy and cool days.

To protect yourself, apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and wear a hat and sunglasses. For more information about sun safety, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website.

July is National Picnic Month! 

July is National Picnic Month, so what a great time to take snack or lunch outside or to a blanket on the carpet (if the weather isn't cooperating). Possible themes for summertime picnics with children include tea party, teddy bear or favorite stuffed animal, colors, carnival or camping

Hosting a program-wide picnic afterhours or on a weekend is also a great opportunity to involve families so you can get to know them better in a casual setting. You could ask families to bring a dish to share that is special to their family and ask them to contribute the recipe to a program cookbook. Make sure you plan for a day/time that works best for your families by emailing an electronic survey or a paper survey.

Either way, changing up the scenery and routine a bit can help alleviate boredom and spark creativity so happy picnicking!

June OCFS DCCS Newsletter. 

Make sure you check out the second edition of the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) Division of Child Care Services (DCCS) quarterly newsletter. The June 2023 issue of the OCFS DCCS Newsletter contains information on the budget, diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility resources, the Comprehensive Background Check System, and more. It's now available on the OCFS website in English and Spanish.

Directors and Trainers— Are you looking for in-service training opportunities? 

On-Demand Training gives you 24/7 access to 22 training topics. They include handout materials, activities, and directions for conducting On-Demand Training sessions. Directors and/or qualified trainers in child day care centers, school-age child care programs, enrolled legally exempt group programs, and qualified trainers in CCR&Rs and can apply to become On-Demand Trainers.

Learn more about On-Demand Training!

New "Tip Sheets" for legally exempt child care providers and enrollment agencies. 

We are pleased to announce the availability of two new resources for legally exempt child care providers and enrollment agencies.

• Enrollment/Re-Enrollment Training Requirements for Legally Exempt Informal Providers
• Enrollment/Re-Enrollment Training Requirements for Legally Exempt Group Child Care Programs (GUA/GNUA)

These tip sheets provide summaries of the training requirements for enrollment, re-enrollment, and enhanced reimbursement rates for legally exempt informal providers and group programs. Please feel free to download and print these documents for your reference or to share with enrolled legally exempt providers and programs. Enrollment agency staff can also find these tips sheets on the Child Care Assistance website.

New York Milk Bank. 

The New York Milk Bank provides safely pasteurized donor human milk to premature and medically fragile babies in local NICU's when their mothers' own milk is unavailable or insufficient. You can save lives by donating your extra breast milk for use. Becoming a New York Milk Bank Donor takes 4 easy steps: a screening call, an application, free blood test and once approved, your first milk donation. Contact them today for more information.

New e-Learning course available: "Documentation and Record Keeping for Enrolled Legally Exempt Providers and Programs". 

The newest e-learning course "Documentation and Record Keeping for Enrolled Legally Exempt Providers and Programs" is available for training. This fully narrated course explains what business records you need to keep as an enrolled legally exempt provider or program. The training lists what documentation is required by the regulations in Part 415, Child Care Services. It also reviews other records you should keep as a best business practice. And finally, it offers tips for organizing written or electronic records and developing a system for keeping everything up to date.

This course will provide you with 1.5 hours of training in the following OCFS training topics:

• Child Care Program Development
• Safety and Security
• Business Records
• Statutes and Regulations Pertaining to Child Day Care

Register for the newest e-learning course today.

National Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Month. 

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) half of our plate should be filled with fruits and vegetables. June is the time of year when many early garden crops are harvested, so what a great time to add more fresh fruits and vegetables to your menu.

Here are some ideas to help you celebrate:

• if possible, take the children to visit a local farmer's market or farm to learn about fresh fruits and vegetables in their community,
• start a program garden,
• keeping possible food allergies in mind, have a weekly fruit or vegetable show and tell where you introduce a new piece of produce to the children- have them observe the item using all of their senses, and
• review your program's menu to see places you could add additional fresh fruits and veggies to lunches and snacks.

Directors and Trainers— Are you looking for in-service training opportunities? 

On-Demand Training gives you 24/7 access to 22 training topics. They include handout materials, activities, and directions for conducting On-Demand Training sessions. Directors and/or qualified trainers in child day care centers, school-age child care programs, enrolled legally exempt group programs, and qualified trainers in CCR&Rs and can apply to become On-Demand Trainers. Learn more about On-Demand Training!

Virtual Class Registration is open! 

Registration is now open for all third-quarter virtual classes.

Virtual classes offer instructor-led, interactive online training on a variety of early childhood education topics. Using a desktop computer, smart phone, tablet or other device, participants can register for a class that features videos, interactive discussions, activities and resources. For more information about Virtual Classes visit the ECETP website.

Class capacity is limited, so register today to secure your seat.

June is National Safety Month. 

The health and safety of the children in your care is your number one priority. June is National Safety Month so try to incorporate some of these ideas into your programming:

• review and update your program’s Emergency Plan;
• check the first aid kits throughout the program and update as needed;
• enroll in a first aid/CPR class or other training about safety;
• take the children on an indoor and outdoor safety scavenger hunt and ask them for ideas on how to make the spaces safer for everyone;
• share information about water safety with families; and
• open the Child Day Care Regulations for the modality of care you work in, search the word "safe" or "safety" and make sure the program is in compliance.

Dear Provider Letter: DEIA Toolkit. 

The Office of Children and Family Services recently distributed a Dear Provider Letter advertising the creation of a DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility) Toolkit. DEIA fosters acceptance, confidence and empathy with all people and diverse, multicultural spaces lead to enriching environments. The Toolkit is meant to support child care programs in their creation of an enhanced environment that creates safe, joyful, healthy, nurturing and comforting spaces. We encourage you to go to the OCFS website and check out the materials.

National Water Safety Month. 

Did you know that a child can drown in less than an inch of water?

That's why protecting children around water should always be one of your number one priorities. To help you do this, be sure to log on to the OCFS website to review the New York State Child Day Regulations about water safety and follow them.

And remember to share information on water safety with families.

StayWell ECE: Examining the Health of New York Early Childhood Educators. 

Researchers at Cornell University invite early childhood educators to participate in a Teacher Wellness survey. The purpose of this research is to examine the health status and professional wellbeing of NY's ECE teachers and staff. As a thanks for completing the survey, participants will be entered into a cash drawing for $100 prize.

Save the Date! P-3 Summer Institute – August 17, 2023. 

Presented by NYSED's Office of Early Learning and the NYS Council on Children and Families. Keynotes include Dr. Nonie Lesaux and Dr. Ronal Ferguson. Other sessions include Supporting Multilingual Learners, Student Behavior and Social Emotional Learning, P-3 Continuum Overview, and Office of Cultural Education Resources.

Register for the P-3 Summer Institute – August 17, 2023

National Get Caught Reading Month. 

Maps, instructional manuals, recipes, food labels, books, short stories, poems, magazines, brochures, street signs– we're constantly surrounded by words begging to be read.

You can help instill a life-long love of reading in children in many ways, including visiting the local library, making different types of reading materials available to children and adults throughout all areas of the program at all times, organizing a program-wide reading night, or photocopying the cover of books you've read with the children and displaying them in the program.

May is National Get Caught Reading month so no matter where you are or what you're doing, find time for you and the children to read, read, read!

Inaugural OCFS DCCS Newsletter. 

We are excited to inform you that the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) Division of Child Care Services (DCCS) has issued their first ever newsletter. In an effort to increase communication efforts, they hope to publish a newsletter every quarter with important information on current topics relevant to child care. The April 2023 issue is now available on their website in English and Spanish, so check it out today.

National Dental Care Awareness Month. 

Brushing teeth twice a day, flossing, avoiding sugary snacks and seeing a dentist twice a year can help reduce the risk of cavities, infections and the need for expensive long-term dental repairs.

May is National Dental Care Awareness Month so this is a great time to read books about visiting a dentist, ask a dental professional to visit your program or set up a dentist’s office in your dramatic play area where children can practice brushing teeth on stuffed animals or dolls.

Remember, good oral health leads to good overall health so be sure to share information about proper oral care with families as well.

Early Childhood Educator and Provider Appreciation Week. 

As an early childhood educator or child care provider, you juggle many challenges. Every day you provide safe environments and activities, serve healthy meals and snacks, build strong relationships, attend training, have tough conversations and navigate regulations and paperwork.

That's why New York State celebrates Early Childhood Educator and Child Care Provider Appreciation Week from May 8-12, 2023. Visit our YouTube channel to watch a video celebrating you and all you do.

Always remember, you are essential and we THANK YOU for your continued dedication, commitment and passion to the children and families of New York State.

Free Virtual Workshop: Learn the Signs. Act Early. 

Milestones are how kids play, learn, speak, act and move. Gain information about milestones and how to track them.

This free virtual workshop is for parents and caregivers. It will be held on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 from 7-8 PM. Please register here for this free Virtual Workshop.

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. 

Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. If you have an ear infection, you go to the doctor – no questions asked. If you have a cavity, you go to the dentist – again, no questions asked. So, if you are feeling anxious, stressed or depressed, or see signs of negative mental health in others, seek help – no questions asked.

Be sure to check in with children as well to see how they are feeling and provide them with strategies they can use when they are experiencing different emotions. This will help instill in them a positive attitude about mental health they can use throughout their lives.

Some things you can do with children are building time for meditation and deep breathing into your daily routine, taking time out for mindful moments, discussing different emotions and emotional vocabulary and doing daily check-ins using a how are you feeling today chart and sharing this information with families.

Visit the CDC website for more information about mental health and tools and resources.

The newest e-learning course "Understanding and Supporting Children with Special Needs" is available for training. 

This fully narrated course provides an overview of the range of disabilities children can experience and, when needed, resources families can turn to for additional support. It also shares strategies for creating inclusive environments and working with children with special needs.

This course will provide you with 1 hour of training in the following OCFS training topics:

• Principles of Childhood Development
• Child Day Care Program Development
• Safety and Security Procedures

Register today.

Sign Up for CPSC recall notices. 

As a child care provider, one of your most important jobs is to provide the children in your care with a safe and healthy environment where they can learn, play and grow.

One way to do this is by visiting the Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) website to search or sign up for information on latest product recalls. Signing up is easy- just click on the yellow "Choose Your Recall Email" button, fill out the information and click next. CPSC will then email you information so you never miss a recall notice.

April 22nd is Earth Day. 

April 22nd is Earth Day– a day to come together as a community to do something specific to raise awareness about issues such as pollution, deforestation and climate control.

There are special things you can do on that day to celebrate the Earth such as planting a tree, picking up litter in a local park or playground, or having a program-wide celebration. There are also things you can do every day to help protect the planet.

Remember, we only get one Earth, so we all must do our part to keep it clean and healthy. Happy Earth Day!

We are pleased to announce a new training opportunity for enrolled legally exempt group programs. 

Program directors and/or qualified trainers may now access our On-Demand Training to conduct in-service training for their staff.

On-Demand Training provides 24/7 access to a selection of previously recorded webcasts and current eLearning courses. On-Demand Trainings were developed in partnership with OCFS, and successful completion of these courses can help your staff meet the OCFS training requirements, including the pre-service health and safety requirement. Course materials include handouts and directions for conducting the trainings. At the end of each training session, participants will be required to pass a post-test in order to receive training credit. They will also need to complete an online participant reaction questionnaire.

Read more about On-Demand training on our website, or send us an email for more information: pdp-on-demand@albany.edu.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. 

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month – a time to recognize the importance of families and communities working together to strengthen families to help prevent child abuse and neglect.

During this month, you are encouraged to take time to learn about, or refresh your knowledge of, the signs of child abuse and ways to prevent it. One way you can do this is by registering for CUNY's School of Professional Studies' updated Mandated Reporter Training on the ECETP website.

For more information on ways to recognize National Child Abuse Prevention Month, visit the Child Welfare Information Gateway website.

Reminder: Quarterly Profile Update. 

Earlier this year, ECETP and OCFS collaborated to implement a training certificate data transfer that makes it easier to track and report your ECETP training completions. All you need to do is update your ECETP profile.

Videos detailing the process can be found in both English and Spanish in the "Featured Videos" section of the ECETP website.

Remember, if you have recently applied for fingerprinting or have changed child care programs, go to the ECETP website and update your facility information in your ECETP profile today.

New CCAP (Child Care Assistance Program) Eligibility Questionnaire. 

Did you know that families you work with may be eligible for child care at low or no cost through the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)? OCFS has released a new online CCAP Eligibility Questionnaire to help families see if they may be eligible. The questionnaire is quick, simple, and available in 13 languages. Visit the CCAP website for resources including a link to the questionnaire, information on what CCAP means for both families and providers, and more.

Auto Injector Initiative. 

An estimated one (1) in 13 children is impacted by allergies. Many children experience events for the first time while in child care, these may include new foods and insect bites. There is no way to predict when a child will have an allergic reaction. If anaphylaxis were to occur, is your child care program prepared to respond? Epinephrine is the first line drug of choice for the emergency treatment of severe allergic reactions. Having a non-patient specific auto-injector in your program's emergency tool kit, and the knowledge of how to use it, is a lifesaving investment. So why wait? Visit the OCFS website and participate in the cost-free Auto Injector Initiative today!

April 1-7, 2023: Week of the Young Child. 

April 1-7, 2023 is the National Association for the Education of Young Children's (NAEYC) Week of the Young Child. This is an annual event celebrating early learning, young children, their teachers, families and communities. This year NAEYC has set a schedule of daily themes– Music Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Work Together Wednesday, Artsy Thursday and Family Friday. Visit their website today for more information on ways you can celebrate in your program.

March is National Nutrition Month. 

As a child care provider, your most important job is to keep the children in your care safe and healthy. One of the ways you do this on a daily basis is by providing nutritious snacks and meals and plenty of time to be physically active.

Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for lots of great information about childhood nutrition.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recommendations for the amount of physical activity needed for infants, children, teens and children with special needs. Visit their website for more information.

For training about "Obesity Prevention" visit our eLearning catalog.

Virtual Class Opportunities in April 2023. 

Registration is now open for all second-quarter virtual classes and two popular, interactive courses in April still have seats available! Secure your spot today for "Do You Know Why? The Importance of Understanding Allergies" on April 4th and "Town Hall Meeting: Child Abuse and Maltreatment" on April 20th. Class capacity is limited, so register today to secure your seat.

March is national developmental disabilities awareness month. 

Developmental disabilities are conditions that impair a child's physical, learning, language or behavior. Having a good understanding about developmental milestones can help identify possible delays. Visit the CDC webpage for information and resources about milestones you can share with colleagues and families.

If you have concerns about the development of a child, talk to the family and suggest they reach out to the New York State Early Intervention Program (ages 0-3), the Committee on Preschool Education (CPSE) of the child's school district (ages 3-5) and the Committee on Special Education (CSE) of the child's school district (ages 5-21).

Remember, early detection of developmental disabilities is key to limiting the impacts on the child's long-term development. As the New York State Early Intervention program says, "Early Help Makes a Difference."

Registration is now open for all virtual classes in the second quarter of 2023! 

Sign up now for these interactive training opportunities on important topics such as understanding and responding to allergies, developmentally appropriate practice, supporting special needs learners, and more! Class capacity is limited, so register today to secure your seat.

New e-Learning course available. 

The newest e-Learning course “Lead: The Hidden Danger in Drinking Water” is available for training. During this fully narrated course trainees will learn what lead is, how it can affect children, what they can do if they find it in their drinking water and information on the Office of Children and Family Service’s Lead Testing in Drinking Water Program.

This course will provide 1-hour of training in the following OCFS training topics:

• Nutrition and Health

Register today.

Nuevo curso electrónico disponible. 

El curso electrónico más reciente, "Plomo: El peligro oculto en el agua potable" ya está disponible como capacitación. Durante este curso totalmente narrado, los alumnos aprenderán qué es el plomo, cómo puede afectar a los niños, lo que pueden hacer si lo encuentran en su agua potable, e información sobre el Programa de pruebas de plomo en agua potable de la Oficina de Servicios para Niños y Familias.

Este curso imparte 1 hora de capacitación en los siguientes temas de capacitación de la OCFS:

• Nutrición y salud

Inscríbase hoy.

March is brain injury awareness month. 

There are two types of brain injuries: non-traumatic and traumatic. Non-traumatic brain injuries begin internally due to disease, poisoning, a hereditary condition, lack of oxygen, stroke or other internal medical conditions. Traumatic brain injuries occur due to external force such as motor vehicle accidents, sports or recreational injuries, domestic violence, falls or child abuse.

For more information on advocacy and support to people and families living with brain injuries, visit the Brain Injury Association of New York State website.

For training about brain injuries and young children, register for our eLearning: "Prevention and Identification of Brain Injuries, including Abusive Head Trauma".

Auto Injector Initiative: "The online Anaphylaxis training is literally a LIFE-SAVER... Everyone needs to take it!" 

"The online Anaphylaxis training is literally a LIFE-SAVER! I don’t know why anyone would not participate in the training and receive the FREE auto-injectors. It is so simple and yet so important to learn about Anaphylaxis. Everyone needs to take it!"

This is just one great point a fellow child care provider shared about the OCFS cost-free Auto Injector Initiative.

Epinephrine is the first line drug of choice for the emergency treatment of severe allergic reactions. Having a non-patient specific auto-injector in your program’s emergency tool kit, and the knowledge on how to use it, is a lifesaving investment.

So, what are you waiting for? Visit the ECETP website to register for the “Identifying and Responding to Anaphylaxis” eLearning course (available in English and Spanish) and get started today!

The newest e-Learning course "Building on the Foundation of Health and Safety" is available for training. 

During this fully narrated course trainees will receive a review of important information presented in the Foundations in Health and Safety e-Learning. They will also be provided with updates and new information in all areas of the federally mandated health and safety requirements.

This course will provide 5-hours of training in the following OCFS training topics:

• Principles of Childhood Development
• Safety and Security
• Child Care Statutes and Regs
• Adverse Childhood Experiences
• Nutrition and Health
• Business Records
• CAM Statutes and Regs
• Child Care Program Development
• CAM ID and Prevention
• Shaken Baby Syndrome

Register today.

February is National Canned Food Month 

Canned goods are reasonably affordable, require little to no preparation and have a long shelf life, making them an emergency preparedness necessity.

It's important to store your canned goods properly and not consume any after their expiration date. This can be confusing because cans may have an expiration date and/or a “best by” date printed on them. Visit the Consumer Reports website for more information on this and other things to keep in mind about your canned goods.

CPSC Sleepwear Recall 

On January 19, 2023 the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalled 6 different models of NewCosplay Children's Sleepwear because it failed to meet federal flammability standards for children's sleepwear, posing a risk of burn injuries to children. Visit the CPSC website and scroll down the page for more information about the specific items being recalled and what to do if you have them.

El Programa de Incentivos Educativos (EIP) 2023. 

Cuidado Infantil del Estado de Nueva York, Programa de Incentivos Educativos: Solicitud de beca y folleto informativo (2023).

Product Recall: Crate and Barrel Thornhill Baby Cribs 

On December 15, 2022 the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a recall on Crate and Barrel Thornhill Baby Cribs due to fall and entrapment hazards. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs and contact Crate and Barrel for a full refund or free replacement.

Dear Provider Letter: Updates about Comprehensive Background Checks. 

On December 8, 2022 OCFS issued a Dear Provider Letter in English and Spanish containing important information and updates about comprehensive background checks that could impact your child care program. You are encouraged to read it carefully and visit CCDBG Background Checks at OCFS (ny.gov) for additional information. You can also contact your licensing or registration representative for additional assistance.

January is National Bath Safety month. 

Each year thousands of people of all ages visit the emergency room due to bathroom-related slips and falls. You may not provide baths in your program but here is some important information you can share with families to make bath time safer.

Happy 2023! Is your New Year's resolution to get more training? 

If yes, visit the ECETP website to register for upcoming virtual classes on topics such as understanding allergies, children with special needs, developmentally appropriate practice, mental health and nutrition. All classes offer 1.5 training credit hours in OCFS approved training topics.

NEW for 2023: Income is no longer used as a factor to determine eligibility for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and First Aid (CPR/FA) training scholarships. 

Applicants only need to send proof of employment and SSN verification with their EIP Application. The maximum annual scholarship is $125 for classroom training or up to $95 for blended training that includes online training with an in-person skills testing component. These scholarships are in addition to the other maximum annual amounts.

Consumer Product Safety Commission announces Rock 'n Play Sleeper Recall. 

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is reaching out again to warn against using Rock ‘n Play Sleepers. Since the initial recall in April 2019, at least 8 deaths have occurred. For additional information, visit CPSC.gov.

Safe sleep practices are outlined in the regulations.

Please share this information with families. Thank you.

La Comisión de Seguridad de Productos del Consumidor está advirtiéndonos otra vez contra el uso de Rock 'n Play Sleepers. 

Estimado proveedor de cuidado infantil, La Comisión de Seguridad de Productos del Consumidor está advirtiéndonos otra vez contra el uso de Rock 'n Play Sleepers. Desde el retiro inicial en abril de 2019, se han producido al menos 8 muertes. Para obtener información adicional, visite CPSC.gov.

Las prácticas de sueño seguro se describen en las regulaciones.

Por favor comparta esta información con las familias. Gracias.

CPSC Sippy Cup Recall. 

On December 7, 2022 the Office of Children and Family Services posted information regarding a CPSC sippy cup recall. You can find the information in English and Spanish on their website.

Register now for upcoming Virtual Classes on timely topics! 

Register now for upcoming Virtual Classes on timely topics such as the importance of understanding allergies, developmentally appropriate practice and inclusive child care, and more! Seats are still available for the January 11th class "Do You Know Why: The Importance of Understanding Allergies" from 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM, so register today to secure your spot!

Registration is currently open for all First Quarter Virtual Classes, so check out our catalogue and find the courses you need today!.

El curso eLearning, "¿Qué es el cuidado infantil legalmente exento?" se encuentra ahora disponible en español. 

Este curso totalmente narrado está dirigido a proveedores legalmente exentos inscritos y a las personas interesadas en convertirse en proveedores legalmente exentos inscritos. La capacitación aborda por qué el cuidado infantil legalmente exento inscrito podría ser la opción apropiada para familias o proveedores. Define los distintos tipos de cuidado infantil legalmente exento. Por último, ofrece a los participantes una descripción general de las regulaciones del estado de Nueva York que deben cumplir los proveedores legalmente exentos inscritos.

Este curso provee 1 hora de capacitación en los siguientes temas de capacitación de OCFS:

• Desarrollo de un programa de cuidado infantil
• Estatutos y regulaciones relacionados al cuidado infantil

Regístrese hoy.

The e-Learning course, "What Is Legally Exempt Child Care?," is now available in Spanish. 

This fully narrated course is targeted to enrolled legally exempt providers and people interested in becoming enrolled legally exempt providers. The training discusses why enrolled legally exempt child care might be the right option for families, or un-enrolled providers. It defines the different types of legally exempt child care. Finally, it gives participants an overview of the New York State regulations enrolled legally exempt providers must follow.

This course will provide you with 1 hour of training in the following OCFS training topics:

• Child Day Care Program Development
• Statutes and Regulations Pertaining to Child Day Care

Register today.

Target Weighted Blanket Recall. 

Product recall: On December 22, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that Target has recalled children's Pillowfort Weighted Blankets due to an asphyxiation hazard. Consumers are urged to stop using the weighted blanket immediately and contact Target for a refund.

The Retroactive Absences Grant Opportunity deadline to apply has been extended to December 30, 2022. 

The grant, offered by the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) Division of Child Care Services (DCCS), provides payments for absences to child care providers that served at least one child in receipt of child care assistance for care provided on or after April 1, 2020 and prior to December 1, 2021. Contact your licensor, registrar or enrollment agency for more information.

Winter Safety. 

The winter season will soon be here. This should bring special safety considerations around holiday gatherings, decorating and heating to the top of your mind.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has lots of important information on getting ready for cold weather.

And make sure you are following the most current version of the New York State Child Day Care Regulations related to heating sources and detectors by visiting the OCFS website.

The eLearning course, "Child Care Requirements and Resources for Legally Exempt Providers" is now available in Spanish. 

This fully narrated course explains how to use the resources in the Enrollment Information Packet for Legally Exempt Providers (OCFS-7026) to promote children’s health and safety. It summarizes circumstances under which providers are required to contact families and enrollment agencies. The course also describes the different kinds of inspections that programs and providers may undergo, how to prepare for them, and what to expect during an inspection.

This course will provide you with 1.5 hours of training in the following OCFS training topics:

• Safety and Security
• Nutrition and Health
• Business Records
• Statutes and Regulations Pertaining to Child Day Care
• Child Care Program Development

Register today.

El curso eLearning, "Requisitos y recursos de cuidado infantil para proveedores legalmente exentos" se encuentra ahora disponible en español. 

Este curso totalmente narrado explica cómo usar los recursos en el Paquete informativo de inscripción para proveedores de cuidado infantil legalmente exentos (OCFS-7026-S) para promover la salud y seguridad de los niños. Resume las circunstancias en las que los proveedores deben contactar a las familias y agencias de inscripción. El curso también describe los distintos tipos de inspecciones a las que los programas y proveedores pueden tener que someterse, cómo prepararse para ellas y qué esperar durante una inspección.

Este curso provee 1.5 horas de capacitación en los siguientes temas de capacitación de OCFS:

• Seguridad y protección
• Nutrición y salud
• Mantenimiento de récords de negocio y gerencia
• Estatutos y regulaciones relacionados al cuidado infantil
• Desarrollo de un programa de cuidado infantil

Regístrese hoy.

Registration is now open for virtual classes in the first quarter of 2023! 

Sign up now for these interactive training opportunities on important topics such as understanding and responding to allergies, developmentally appropriate practice and supporting special needs and more! Capacity is limited, so register today to secure your seat. Registration for second-quarter classes will open on Monday, March 20, 2023.

Toys/Plastics Safety: When purchasing gifts for children, it's important to keep safety at the top of your mind. 

The holiday season is upon us – a time to give thanks and appreciation to those we care about. Sometimes those thanks come with a gift.

When purchasing gifts for children, it's important to keep safety at the top of your mind. Visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website for information about ways to keep everyone safe during the holiday season.

It's also important to be aware of what the toys and materials are made of. Some plastics are known to contain toxic chemicals that can have a negative impact on our health. Check out this fact sheet on plastics from Eco-Healthy Child Care for more information.

Wishing you all the best for a safe and healthy 2022 holiday season.

Reminder... Cold Weather and Respiratory Illnesses. 

On November 14, 2022, the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) issued a Cold Weather and Respiratory Illnesses Dear Provider Letter. The letter contains important information on how to prevent and respond to illness in your child care program. We encourage you to read the letter, review regulations regarding health and infection control and your program's Health Care Plan and share this information with staff and families.

Visit the OCFS website for the the November 14, 2022, Cold Weather and Respiratory Illnesses Dear Provider letter and resources about RSV.

Nueva oportunidad de clase virtual! (Registration is open for a new virtual class!) "Apoyos para niños con necesidades especiales mediante el cuidado infantil inclusivo" 

Nueva oportunidad de clase virtual! Ya están abiertas las inscripciones para la clase virtual más nueva, "Apoyos para niños con necesidades especiales mediante el cuidado infantil inclusivo". Acompáñenos para explorar maneras en las que usted puede colaborar y apoyar a los niños con necesidades especiales mediante la inclusión en su programa. Aprenderá las definiciones, leyes, regulaciones y sistemas que existen para ayudar a los niños con necesidades especiales y a sus familias. Aprenderá las definiciones, leyes, regulaciones y sistemas que existen para ayudar a los niños con necesidades especiales y a sus familias.

EIP is now accepting applications for the 2023 scholarship year. 

We are pleased to announce some exciting changes with the start of the 2023 scholarship year. The income chart levels have increased to allow more providers the ability to participate, the annual scholarship caps for both college and credential training have increased to $2,500, and income is no longer an eligibility factor for CRP/FA scholarships. Training must begin and end in 2023 to be considered for a scholarship.

The 2022 scholarship year is now closed, and we are no longer accepting applications.

Free Developmental Screening Virtual Event – December 9, 2023 

The NYS Council on Child and Families is sponsoring this virtual event on December 9th, from 10:00 am – 12:30 pm. This event is open to anyone working with or caring for children prenatal to five years old, including parents, caregivers, and early childhood teachers. All are encouraged to participate.

This is a great opportunity to receive updates on current initiatives in NYS to strengthen developmental screening and how to achieve equity in screening.

Register for the 2022 New York State Developmental Screening Convening.

The last day to submit an EIP application for the 2022 scholarship year will be Thursday, December 1, 2022. 

All application-supporting documentation must be received by 12/30/2022. No awards for 2022 training will be issued after 12/30/2022.

EIP will begin accepting applications for the 2023 scholarship year on Friday, December 2, 2022.

New Virtual Class Opportunity: Registration is now open for the newest virtual class "Supporting Children with Special Needs through Inclusive Child Care" on Monday, November 21st. 

Additional sessions in English and Spanish will be offered in December.

Join us to explore ways you can work with and support children with special needs through inclusion in your program. You will learn definitions, laws, regulations and systems in place to help children with special needs and their families.

Capacity is limited so register today.

New Virtual Class Opportunity: Registration is now open for "Do You Know Why? The Importance of Understanding Allergies" being offered on Tuesday, November 15th. 

Join us to learn more about allergies and anaphylaxis, Elijah's Law and the "why" behind the regulations. We will share information about communication and initiatives involving allergies as well as good strategies and techniques you can implement in your program to keep all children safe.

Capacity is limited so register today.

NYSDOH Flu Education Amendment – Please Post! 

It's time to post information about the flu and the benefits of flu vaccination. For information regarding posting requirements and to locate flyers in multi-languages, visit Flu (Influenza) Information for Child-Care Providers and Schools (health.ny.gov).

Directors and Trainers— Are you looking for in-service training opportunities? 

On-Demand Training gives you 24/7 access to 22 training topics. They include handout materials, activities, and directions for conducting On-Demand Training sessions. Directors and/or qualified trainers in child day care centers and school-age child care programs can apply to become On-Demand Trainers. Learn more about On-Demand Training!

Additional offerings of "Town Hall Meeting: Child Abuse and Maltreatment" virtual class have just been added! 

Three more sessions have been added, including daytime classes in October and November. Register today to secure your seat!

The new eLearning "Identifying and Responding to Anaphylaxis" is now available in English and Spanish. 

We're pleased to announce the availability of two new eLearnings. The "Identifying and Responding to Anaphylaxis: Elijah’s Law" course has been updated in both English and Spanish. The new versions are titled "Identifying and Responding to Anaphylaxis" and "Identificando y Respondiendo a la Anafilaxia". These courses have been revised to reflect the expansion of OCFS's non-patient-specific epinephrine-auto injector initiative. You can read more about it in the Dear Provider Letter here. Licensed and registered programs may now receive 3 epinephrine auto-injector packs (2 injectors, 1 training device in each pack). These packs are available in the following doses: infant/toddler, child, and older child/teen/adult.

The courses have been expanded to include information on the availability of the new doses and how to get them. As a result, they now provide 1.5 hours of training in the following OCFS training topics:

• Principles of Childhood Development
• Nutrition and Health
• Safety and Security Procedures
• Business Record Maintenance and Management

You can find the English and Spanish courses in our eLearning catalog. These courses are also available as On-Demand Trainings. Check out the On-Demand section of our website for more information.

El nuevo curso eLearning "Identificando y Respondiendo a la Anafilaxia" se encuentra ahora disponible en inglés y español. 

Nos place anunciar la disponibilidad de dos nuevos cursos de eLearning. El curso "Identificando y Respondiendo a la Anafilaxia: Ley de Elijah" ha sido actualizado al inglés y al español. Las nuevas versiones se titulan "Identifying and Responding to Anaphylaxis" e "Identificando y Respondiendo a la Anafilaxia". Estos cursos han sido revisados para reflejar la expansión de la iniciativa del autoinyector de epinefrina no específico al paciente de OCFS. Usted puede leer más sobre esto en la carta de Estimado Proveedor aquí. Programas licenciados y registrados ahora pueden recibir hasta 3 paquetes de autoinyectores de epinefrina (2 inyectores, 1 aparato de entrenamiento en cada paquete). Estos paquetes se encuentran disponibles en las siguientes dosis: infante/niño pequeño, niño, y niño mayor/adolescente/adulto.

Los cursos se han expandido para incluir información acerca de la disponibilidad de las nuevas dosis y cómo conseguirlas. Como resultado, ahora proveen 1.5 horas de capacitación en los siguientes temas de capacitación de OCFS:

• Principios del Desarrollo Infantil
• Nutrición y Salud
• Seguridad y Procedimientos de Seguridad
• Mantenimiento de Récords de Negocio y Gerencia

Usted puede encontrar los cursos en inglés y español en nuestro catálogo de eLearning. Estos cursos también se encuentran disponibles como capacitaciones En-Demanda. Visite la sección de En-Demanda de nuestra página electrónica para más información.

NYSB5 Parent/Primary Care Giver Survey. 

Attention Child Care Providers, Parents and Guardians: Please take a few moments to complete the NYS Birth through Five (NYSB5) Parent/Primary Care Giver Survey. The New York State Council on Children and Families and the Center for Human Services Research need your input about your child’s early care and education. Please share this link with parents and caregivers in your network. A $5 gift card will be sent by email to all who participate in the survey!

Directors and Trainers: Are you looking for in-service training opportunities? 

On-Demand Training gives you 24/7 access to 22 training topics. They include handout materials, activities, and directions for conducting On-Demand Training sessions. Directors and/or qualified trainers in child day care and school-age child care programs can apply to become On-Demand Trainers. Learn more about On-Demand Training!.

CPSC and Fisher-Price Warn Consumers About 13 Deaths in Fisher-Price Infant-to-Toddler and Newborn-to-Toddler Rockers: Advise Rockers Should Never Be Used for Sleep. 

The safest place for babies to sleep is alone, on their backs, in a standard crib or bassinette on a firm mattress. Per regulations, children may not sleep or nap in car seats, baby swings, strollers, infant seats or bouncy seats (416.7, 417.7, 418-1.7, 418-2.7). Check the DCCS website to review safe sleep regulations for your type of care. You can also visit OCFS's Safe Sleep webpage for more information.

Are you interested in implementing the Pyramid Model in your program? 

Sign up for this preparation series: "Roadmap to NYS Pyramid Model Implementation". An overview of the Pyramid Model, how it complements other NYS initiatives, and what's involved in becoming an implementing program will be covered.

View the registration flyer for more information and to register online.

What is Anaphylaxis? Do You and Your Staff Know What to Do? 

Reach out to your regulator to obtain copies of the poster entitled, "What is Anaphylaxis?". The posters will serve as a visual reminder to staff in the classroom. Visit the OCFS website for a paper size version of the poster.

Best Practices in Child Care Health Consultation Webinar: June 16, 2022 at 2:00 PM. 

This webinar highlights how child care health consultants (CCHCs) can best influence children's health and well-being. There are many variations in the types of work CCHC does, strategies for funding CCHCs, and ways to coordinate the CCHC workforce.

You may watch the full CCHC webinar series on demand.

Infant Formula Shortages 

On May 12, 2022, Governor Hochul announced resources for New York families amid nationwide infant formula shortages. Please visit the OCFS website for details or go to the Governor's site for more information. Please share this information with impacted families!

Do you know: you cannot see, smell, or taste lead in water? 

Testing is the only way to know if lead is present. The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is proud to be implementing the Lead Testing in Drinking Water Program, at no cost, for licensed and registered child care facilities. Please visit the OCFS webpage for more information and to learn all the details about this program.

Sabe usted que: ¿no puede ver, oler o probar el plomo en el agua? 

Haciendo una prueba es la única forma de saber si hay plomo presente. La Oficina de Servicios para Niños y Familias (OCFS, por sus siglas en inglés) se enorgullece de implementar el Programa de Pruebas de Plomo en el Agua Potable, sin costo alguno, para centros de cuidado infantil autorizados y registrados. Visite la página web de la OCFS para obtener más información y conocer todos los detalles sobre este programa.

The eLearning "Identifying and Responding to Anaphylaxis: Elijah’s Law" is now available in Spanish. 

This valuable training will help you prepare for preventing and responding to allergic reactions in children.

The course provides 1 hour of training in the following OCFS training topics:

• Principles of Childhood Development
• Safety and Security Procedures
• Business Record Maintenance and Management

Please note, this course is also available as an On-Demand Training. Check out the On-Demand section of our website for more information.

El eLearning "Identificando y respondiendo a la anafilaxia: la Ley de Elijah" se encuentra ahora disponible en español. 

Este valioso entrenamiento le ayudará a prepararse para prevenir y responder a reacciones alérgicas en los niños

El curso provee 1 hora de entrenamiento en los siguientes temas de entrenamiento de OCFS:

• principios de desarrollo de la niñez
• procedimientos de seguridad y protección
• mantenimiento y manejo de los registros de la empresa

Por favor note, este curso también se encuentra disponible en entrenamiento bajo demanda (On-Demand). Verifique nuestra sección de Bajo Demanda en la página web para más información.

Approval for virtual training has been extended through 12/31/2022. 

Approval for virtual training has been extended through 12/31/2022. You must have prior approval to deliver virtual training. Please review and complete this Questionnaire to be considered for approval.

For Licensed, Registered, or Legally Exempt Group Providers... 

Effective March 2, 2022, masks are no longer required in child care programs. Children and staff may continue to wear a mask if they prefer to do so.

• March 1, 2022 Dear Provider Letter - Updated Child Care Mask Guidance (English)

Efectivo marzo 2, 2022, las máscaras no serán requeridas en los programas de cuidado infantil. El personal y los niños pueden continuar usando una máscara si así lo prefieren.

• March 1, 2022 Dear Provider Letter - Updated Child Care Mask Guidance (Spanish)

Directors and Trainers: have you started your 2022 planning? 

Are you looking for in-service training opportunities? On-Demand Training gives you 24/7 access to 21 training topics. They include handout materials, activities, and directions for conducting On-Demand Training sessions. Directors and/or qualified trainers in child day care centers and school-age child care programs can apply to become On-Demand Trainers. Learn more about On-Demand Training!

The newest eLearning course, "Child Care Requirements and Resources for Legally Exempt Providers" is available for training. 

This fully narrated course explains how to use the resources in the Enrollment Information Packet for Legally Exempt Providers (OCFS-7026) to promote children's health and safety. It summarizes circumstances under which providers are required to contact families and enrollment agencies. The course also describes the different kinds of inspections that programs and providers may undergo, how to prepare for them, and what to expect during an inspection.

This course will provide you with 1.5 hours of training in the following OCFS training topics:

• Safety and Security
• Nutrition and Health
• Business Records
• Statutes and Regulations Pertaining to Child Day Care
• Child Care Program

Register today.

Part 415 Child Care Services (child care subsidy, legally exempt providers) is now available in Spanish. 

Check out OCFS's Child Care Regulations and Policies page to review Part 415 in Spanish. It’s available as a PDF or downloadable Word document.

Parte 415 Servicios de Cuidado Infantil (cuidado infantil subsidiado, proveedores legalmente exentos) ya está disponible en español. 

Vea la página de OCFS Regulaciones y Pólizas para revisar la Parte 415 en español. Se encuentra disponible en formato PDF o documento descargable en Word.

Si su enlace no se encuentra automáticamente traducido al español, siga las siguientes instrucciones para traducir la página de OCFS al español: una vez en la página, deslice en la pantalla hasta que vea una opción de color púrpura a su mano izquierda que lee "Translate this page", seleccione la opción, seleccione "Select Language" y finalmente seleccione "Spanish" de la lista de opciones.

MAT Scholarship Progran Beginning January 2, 2022. 

The MAT Rebate Program will be become the MAT Scholarship Program beginning January 2022! All child care providers and employees in New York State working in family day care, group family day care, school-age child care, day care centers, small day care centers or legally exempt providers are eligible. Read more information about the MAT Scholarship.

El Programa de Incentivos Educativos (EIP) 2022. 

Cuidado Infantil del Estado de Nueva York, Programa de Incentivos Educativos: Solicitud de beca y folleto informativo (2022).

Registration is now open for all 2022 Virtual Class offerings! 

These interactive trainings on a variety of early education topics offer you a chance to interact with other providers to share ideas and best practices. Class size is limited, so be sure to register for Virtual Class training and secure your seat today!

Have you taken the "Identifying and Responding to Anaphylaxis: Elijah's Law" e-Learning yet? 

This valuable training will you help prepare for preventing and responding to allergic reactions in children.

The course provides 1 hour of training in the following OCFS training topics:

• Principles of Childhood Development
• Safety and Security Procedures
• Business Record Maintenance and Management

Please note, this course is also available as an On-Demand Training. Check out the On-Demand section of our website for more information.

Directors and Trainers— are you looking for in-service training opportunities? 

On-Demand Training gives you 24/7 access to 21 training topics. They include handout materials, activities, and directions for conducting On-Demand Training sessions. Directors and/or qualified trainers in child day care centers and school-age child care programs can apply to become On-Demand Trainers.

You can also apply to deliver On-Demand Training virtually through 6/30/22. Our 21 On-Demand courses are now available for scheduling from today until 9/30/22. Learn more about On-Demand Training!

Attention Training Organizations: Approval for Virtual Training has been extended through 06/30/2022. 

OCFS will allow previously approved classroom training and newly approved virtual training (submitted through EIP Event Approval or Aspire Training Approval process) to be delivered using a virtual platform. In order for participants to receive training credits a written request to conduct trainer-led virtual training must be submitted to the Professional Development Program at Rockefeller College University at Albany (PDP), in consultation with OCFS, for review and approval. The training must be facilitated by a credentialed trainer. Complete and submit this survey to be considered for approval.

EIP is now accepting applications for the 2022 scholarship year. 

We are pleased to announce an upgraded application system with the start of the 2022 scholarship year. The new features remove nearly 100% of paper-based communications. Applicants will upload application supporting documents during the application submission process. Applications and awards will be signed electronically, and notifications regarding status changes and reminder emails will be automatically sent. Training must begin and end in 2022 to be considered for a scholarship.

The 2021 scholarship year is now closed, and we are no longer accepting applications.

Today is the LAST DAY to apply for a Child Care Stabilization Grant! 

Check out OCFS's Child Care Stabilization Grant web page for information on eligibility and how to apply.

OCFS is holding its final informational session today, Nov. 30th, at 1pm. You can find details on the session, in English and Spanish, in this flyer.

The ECETP web site and Training Portal site will be temporarily unavailable on December 2nd from 5am-8am. 

We thank you in advance for your patience while we conduct important maintenance.

Tomorrow is the LAST DAY to apply for a Child Care Stabilization Grant. 

Check out OCFS's Child Care Stabilization Grant web page for information on eligibility and how to apply.

OCFS is also holding informational sessions today, Nov. 29th, and tomorrow, Nov. 30th. You can find details on these informational sessions, in English and Spanish, in this flyer.

November 30th is the LAST DAY to apply for Child Care Stabilization Grants. 

You can use Child Care Stabilization Grant money to pay for food, food services, and equipment and materials for mealtimes! Check out this Child Stabilization Grant PDF for more information. Questions? Visit the OCFS Child Care Stabilization Grant page.

El 30 de noviembre es el ÚLTIMO DÍA para solicitar la Subvención de Estabilidad de Cuidado Infantil. 

¡Puede utilizar los fondos de la Subvención de Estabilización de Cuidado Infantil para pagar alimentos y servicios alimentarios, y equipos y materiales para las comidas! Mire este PDF de la Subvención de Estabilización de Cuidado Infantil para obtener más información. ¿Preguntas? Visite el sitio web del Centro de ayuda de estabilización.

Do you need to make physical changes to your program because of COVID-19? 

You can use Child Care Stabilization grant money to pay for things like upgrading playgrounds, installing touch-free faucets, and replacing carpet with linoleum. Check out this Child Care Stabilization Grant video for more information. Questions? Visit the OCFS Child Care Stabilization Grant page.

¿Necesita realizar cambios físicos a su programa debido a COVID-19? 

Puede utilizar los fondos de la Subvención de Estabilización de Cuidado Infantil para pagar cosas como mejorar las áreas de juegos, instalar llaves sin contacto y reemplazar las alfombras con linóleo. Mire este video de la Subvención de Estabilización de Cuidado Infantil para obtener más información. ¿Preguntas? Visite el sitio web del Centro de ayuda de estabilización.

Are you or your staff interested in getting a COVID-19 booster? 

You can use Child Care Stabilization Grant money to pay for support for getting the COVID-19 vaccine. This can include appointments, paid sick leave, and transportation costs. Watch these Child Care Stabilization Grant videos for more information:

• Mira el video en español
• Watch the video in English

Remember, the last day to apply for a Child Care Stabilization Grant is Nov. 30th!

November 30th is the LAST DAY to apply for Child Care Stabilization Grants. 

OCFS is holding an informational session today, Nov. 22nd at 2pm. They’ll be holding more sessions next week. Check out this flyer for more information in English and Spanish.

November 30th is the LAST DAY to apply for Child Care Stabilization Grants. 

Only 11 days left! Visit the OCFS Child Care Stabilization Grant page to apply.

El 30 de noviembre es el ÚLTIMO DÍA para solicitar la Subvención de Estabilidad de Cuidado Infantil. 

¡Solo quedan 11 días! Visite el sitio web del Centro de ayuda de estabilización para presentar su solicitud.

Did you know you can use Child Care Stabilization Grant money to pay for Personnel Costs, Child Care Costs, Employee benefits, and so much more? 

Don't hesitate, check out this video now for more information!

Did you know the Child Care Stabilization Grant can help you pay for childhood mental health supports as well as mental health consultations for staff? 

You can use Child Care Stabilization grant money to pay for Infant Toddler and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultations, as well as other types of mental health supports for your staff (training & development, stress management, and program materials and supplies). Don’t delay! Check out this this Child Care Stabilization Grant PDF for more information!

¿Sabía que puede utilizar los fondos de la Subvención de Estabilización de Cuidado Infantil para pagar apoyos para la salud mental infantil y consultas de salud mental para el personal? 

Puede utilizar los fondos de la Subvención de Estabilización de Cuidado Infantil para pagar consultas de salud mental para bebés y niños pequeños, y otros tipos de apoyo de salud mental para el personal (entrenamiento, manejo del estrés, y suministros y materiales del programa). ¡No se demore! Mire este PDF de la Subvención de Estabilización de Cuidado Infantil para obtener más información.

Child Care Stabilization Grants. 

Apply now for a Child Care Stabilization Grant! The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is making federal funding available directly to qualified child care providers. The purpose of these grants is to help you cover unexpected business costs from the COVID-19 pandemic, and help stabilize your program so you can resume or continue providing high-quality child care. To be eligible, your program must be in good standing and be a licensed/registered, permitted NYC day care center (Article 47), or an enrolled legally exempt group program as of March 11, 2021. This grant is not a loan so you don't have to pay it back. Just complete the quick and easy online application. If you're approved, you'll have to keep records (receipts, invoices, etc.) of how you spend the money. The online application and information are available in English, Spanish, and multiple other languages! Find out more by going to the Stabilization Help Center website, calling the Stabilization Help Line (844-863-9319), or by contacting your local CCR&R, union representative (CSEA or UFT), or WHEDco. These grants are an historic investment in the field of child care. Take advantage of this unique opportunity and apply!

Has COVID-19 affected your ability to pay business-related expenses? 

Did you know you can use Child Care Stabilization Grant money to pay for things like utilities, rent or mortgage payments, and even late fees from past business expenses? Watch this Child Care Stabilization Grant video for more information. Questions? Visit the OCFS Child Care Stabilization Grant page.

¿COVID-19 ha afectado su capacidad para pagar los gastos relacionados con el negocio? 

¿Sabía que puede utilizar los fondos de la Subvención de Estabilización de Cuidado Infantil para pagar cosas como servicios públicos, alquiler o pago de cualquier obligación hipotecaria e incluso cargos por mora de su negocio? Mire este video de la Subvención de Estabilización de Cuidado Infantil para obtener más información. ¿Preguntas? Visite el sitio web del Centro de ayuda de estabilización.

Directors and Trainers—are you looking for in-service training opportunities? 

On-Demand Training gives you 24/7 access to 20 training topics. They include handout materials, activities, and directions for conducting On-Demand Training sessions. Directors and/or qualified trainers in child day care centers and school-age child care programs can apply to become On-Demand Trainers. Learn more about On-Demand Training!

Do you need to make physical changes to your program because of COVID-19? 

You can use Child Care Stabilization grant money to pay for things like upgrading playgrounds, installing touch-free faucets, and replacing carpet with linoleum. Check out this Child Care Stabilization Grant video for more information. Questions? Visit the OCFS Child Care Stabilization Grant page.

¿Necesita realizar cambios físicos a su programa debido a COVID-19? 

Puede utilizar los fondos de la Subvención de Estabilización de Cuidado Infantil para pagar cosas como mejorar las áreas de juegos, instalar llaves sin contacto y reemplazar las alfombras con linóleo. Mire este video de la Subvención de Estabilización de Cuidado Infantil para obtener más información. ¿Preguntas? Visite el sitio web del Centro de ayuda de estabilización.

The newest e-Learning course, "What Is Legally Exempt Child Care?," is available for training. 

This fully narrated course is targeted to enrolled legally exempt providers and people interested in becoming enrolled legally exempt providers. The training discusses why enrolled legally exempt child care might be the right option for families, or un-enrolled providers. It defines the different types of legally exempt child care. Finally, it gives participants an overview of the New York State regulations enrolled legally exempt providers must follow.

This course will provide you with 1 hour of training in the following OCFS training topics:

• Child Day Care Program Development
• Statutes and Regulations Pertaining to Child Day Care

Register for the newest e-Learning course, "What Is Legally Exempt Child Care?" today!

Did you know you can use Child Care Stabilization Grant money to pay for Personnel Costs, Child Care Costs, Employee benefits, and so much more? 

Don't hesitate, check out this video now for more information!

Explore Early Childhood Career Pathways and Opportunities. 

Eight Regional Early Childhood Career Development Centers conveniently located across NYS offer comprehensive career advisement and development services at no cost to all current and aspiring early childhood professionals. Take advantage of these free services to plan your professional development activities and enhance your career. Visit the New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute for more information or to explore the Job Board.

October is Eat Better, Eat Together Month. 

You can use Child Care Stabilization grant money to pay for food, food services, and equipment and materials for mealtimes! Check out this Child Stabilization Grant PDF for more information. Questions? Visit the OCFS Child Care Stabilization Grant page.

Octubre es el Mes de comer mejor juntos. 

¡Puede utilizar los fondos de la Subvención de Estabilización de Cuidado Infantil para pagar alimentos y servicios alimentarios, y equipos y materiales para las comidas! Mire este PDF de la Subvención de Estabilización de Cuidado Infantil para obtener más información. ¿Preguntas? Visite el sitio web del Centro de ayuda de estabilización.

Directors and Trainers—are you looking for in-service training opportunities? 

On-Demand Training gives you 24/7 access to 20 training topics. They include handout materials, activities, and directions for conducting On-Demand training sessions. Directors and/or qualified trainers in child day care centers and school-age child care programs can apply to become On-Demand Trainers. Learn more about On-Demand Training!

¿Necesita ayuda para obtener equipo de protección personal, como máscaras, para su programa? 

¡Puede usar los fondos de la Subvención de Estabilización de Cuidado Infantil para pagar estos suministros! Mire este video de la Subvención de Estabilización de Cuidado Infantil para obtener más información. ¿Preguntas? Visite el sitio web del Centro de ayuda de estabilización.

Need help getting personal protective equipment, like masks, for your program? 

You can use Child Care Stabilization grant money to purchase these supplies! Watch this Child Stabilization Grant video for more information. Questions? Visit the OCFS Child Care Stabilization Grant page.

Want to make improvements to your program? Would you like to provide training for your staff? 

The Child Care Stabilization Grant is here to help in these areas and so much more! Read this FAQ: "How can I use this grant money?", for a quick overview.

Emergency Face Covering Regulation. 

Effective September 16, 2021, OCFS has implemented an emergency regulation mandating all people in a child care setting to wear a mask indoors. The mandate applies to all people aged 2 and older who are able to medically tolerate a face covering, regardless of vaccination status. For more information, visit the OCFS website.

A partir del 16 septiembre de 2021, la Oficina de Servicios para Niños y Familias (OCFS) ha implementado un reglamento de emergencia que obliga a todas las personas en un entorno de cuidado infantil a usar una máscara o barbijo en espacios interiores. El mandato se aplica a todas las personas mayores de 2 años que puedan tolerar médicamente una cobertura facial, independientemente del estado de vacunación. Para obtener más información, visite el sitio web de la OCFS.

New Virtual Class Opportunity: "Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP)". 

Registration is now open for the newest virtual class, "Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP)" on Monday, October 12th. Join us to learn what developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) is and why it's so important to support the optimal learning and development of children. Capacity is limited so register today.

Applying for the OCFS Child Care Stabilization Grant? 

You can use this money to pay for things in your program like cleaning supplies or PPE, play equipment, or staff training. Watch this Child Stabilization Grant video for more information. Questions? Visit the OCFS Child Care Stabilization grant page.

Child Care Stabilization Grant. 

Did you know you can use the OCFS Child Care Stabilization Grant to provide you and your staff with 15-hours of classroom Health and Safety training? This course gives in-depth, hands-on training on keeping children safe and healthy. From supervision to cleaning and sanitizing, you'll learn about locating and following the regulations and your Health Care Plan. Also, a certified trainer may be able conduct the training at your site. Contact us for more information!

The newest e-Learning course, "Identifying and Responding to Anaphylaxis: Elijah’s Law", is available for training. 

During this fully narrated course trainees will gain information on how to prevent, recognize and act in the event of an allergic reaction.

This course will provide 1-hour of training in the following OCFS training topics:

• Principles of Childhood Development
• Safety and Security Procedures
• Business Record Maintenance and Management

Register today.

Child Care Stabilization Grants. 

Apply now for a Child Care Stabilization Grant! The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is making federal funding available directly to qualified child care providers. The purpose of these grants is to help you cover unexpected business costs from the COVID-19 pandemic, and help stabilize your program so you can resume or continue providing high-quality child care. To be eligible, your program must be in good standing and be licensed/registered, permitted NYC day care center (Article 47), or an enrolled legally exempt group program as of March 11, 2021. This grant is not a loan so you don’t have to pay it back. Just complete the quick and easy online application. If you’re approved, you’ll have to keep records (receipts, invoices, etc.) of how you spend the money. The online application and information are available in English, Spanish, and 10 other languages! Find out more by going to the Stabilization Help Center website , calling the Stabilization Help Line (844-863-9319), or by contacting your local CCR&R, union representative (CSEA or UFT), or WHEDco. These grants are an historic investment in the field of child care. Take advantage of this unique opportunity and apply!

P-3 Virtual Summer Institute 2021. 

The NYS Council on Children and Families (CCF) is partnering with the NYS Education Department's Office of Early Learning to convene the annual P-3 Summer Institute. This event will be held virtually. Presentations will be published each Thursday from July 22 - August 12, 2021. Once published, participants may register and view them at any time. All presentations may be viewed free of charge! Watch for the registration links – they will be made available on the dates that presentations are released.

Visit the New York State Education Department website for more information and registration details.

The newest e-Learning course "Information and Resources to Promote a Successful Program" is available for training. 

During this fully narrated course trainees will gain information on ways to help their child care program thrive by being aware of legal requirements, continuing to learn and building partnerships in the child care community.

This course will provide 2-hours of training in the following OCFS training topics:

• Business record maintenance and management
• Safety and security procedures

Register today.

$25 Million Essential Worker Scholarship. 

OCFS is accepting applications for the essential worker scholarship program made available through federal funding relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Encourage "essential worker" parents of children in your program to consider applying. Under this grant, funding will be paid on behalf of the essential worker directly to the program of their choice. All licensed/registered/permitted or enrolled legally exempt group programs are eligible to receive payments, provided the program is in good standing with OCFS. Visit the OCFS web site for more information on eligibility and to apply.

Directors and Trainers— are you looking for in-service training opportunities? 

On-Demand Training gives you 24/7 access to 20 training topics. They include handout materials, activities, and directions for conducting On-Demand training sessions. Directors and/or qualified trainers in child day care centers and school-age child care programs can apply to become On-Demand Trainers. Learn more about On-Demand Training!.

New Virtual Class Opportunity. 

Registration is now open for the newest virtual class "Supporting Mental Health through Quality Programming" on Monday, July 12th. Join us to learn about what mental health is and why it's so important to support the mental health of children and adults. We will also share information about environmental changes you can make in your program to improve everyone's mental health. Capacity is limited so register today.

On-Demand Training gives you 24/7 access to a selection of training topics. 

On-Demand Training topics include handout materials, activities, and directions for conducting On-Demand training sessions. Directors and/or qualified trainers in child day care centers and school-age child care programs can apply to become On-Demand Trainers. Learn more about On-Demand Training!

Attention Training Organizations: Approval for Virtual Training has been extended through 09/30/2021. 

OCFS will allow previously approved classroom training and newly approved virtual training (submitted through EIP Event Approval or Aspire Training Approval process) to be delivered using a virtual platform. In order for participants to receive training credits a written request to conduct trainer-led virtual training must be submitted to the Professional Development Program at Rockefeller College University at Albany (PDP), in consultation with OCFS, for review and approval. The training must be facilitated by a credentialed trainer. Complete and submit this survey to be considered for approval.

New Virtual Class Opportunity. 

Registration is now open for the newest virtual class "Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) Process" on Wednesday, April 28th. Join us for insight into special education services for children, with an emphasis on the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE). We will also share information about communicating with families and your role as a child care provider working with children receiving special education services. Capacity is limited, so register today.

El Programa de Incentivos Educativos (EIP) 2021. Cuidado Infantil del Estado de Nueva York, Programa de Incentivos Educativos: Solicitud de beca y folleto informativo (2021).

Registration Now Open! NYSB5 Virtual Parent Leadership Conference. 

Attention Child Care Providers – Please share with parents of children in your programs!

Resilient Families: COVID and Beyond! - virtual conference will be offered over the course of 3 weeks, on Fridays and Saturdays: April 9th & 10th, April 23rd & 24th, May 7th & 8th.

Friday night sessions 6:30 - 8 PM are family fun nights! Saturday sessions 10 AM - 2 PM will include a variety of speakers and workshops geared just for parents!

Resources, information, and ideas for families will be shared! This event is FREE and open to families with children under six years of age. Follow this link for more information and to register for NYSB5 Virtual Parent Leadership Conference.

Attention Training Organizations: Approval for Virtual Training has been extended through 06/30/2021. 

OCFS will allow previously approved classroom training and newly approved virtual training (submitted through EIP Event Approval or Aspire Training Approval process) to be delivered using a virtual platform. In order for participants to receive training credits a written request to conduct trainer-led virtual training must be submitted to the Professional Development Program at Rockefeller College University at Albany (PDP), in consultation with OCFS, for review and approval. The training must be facilitated by a credentialed trainer. Complete and submit this survey to be considered for approval.

Looking for a new way to train your child care center or SACC program staff? 

On-Demand Training can help! On-Demand Training gives you 24/7 access to a selection of training topics. It also includes handout materials, activities, and directions for conducting On-Demand training sessions. Learn more about becoming an On-Demand Trainer!

The newest e-Learning course, "Supporting Language Development: Birth to 5," is available for training. 

This fully narrated course focuses on supporting young children, and their families, who are dual language learners. It also briefly discusses the significance of language revitalization in Tribal child care programs. The training describes strategies you can use to promote oral language development, engage with families, and bring children's cultures and home languages into your everyday programming.

This course will provide you with 2.5 hours of training in the following OCFS training topics:

• Principles of childhood development, focusing on the developmental stages of the age groups for which the program provides care
• Child care program development
• Safety and security procedures

Register today.

The newest e-Learning course "Media Use and Safety with Children" is available for training. 

During this fully narrated course trainees will gain information on how to keep children safe and engage in good decision making in a cyber dominant world. It will also provide alternatives to technology to encourage children to turn off their screens and be more present in the world around them when they are outside child care program hours.

This course will provide 1.5 hours of training in the following OCFS training topics:

• Principles of childhood development, focusing on the developmental stages of the age groups for which the program provides care
• Child day care program development
• Safety and security procedures

Register today.

Educational Incentive Program (EIP) 2021. 

The 2021 Educational Incentive Program (EIP) scholarship application and brochure are now available online. Apply online now for classes beginning in 2021!

The complete video of the October 21, 2020 "Supporting Children in Child Care During the COVID-19 Emergency" training is now available for viewing. 

This video features a candid conversation with author, speaker and trainer Barbara Kaiser about ways child care providers can support children and families as child care programs re-open or continue to provide care during the COVID-19 emergency.

No training credit will be issued for viewing this video.

General information questions regarding the video can be directed to ecetp@albany.edu

We hope you find the information in this video helpful to the important work you do with children and families every day.

El video completo del entrenamiento "Apoyando a los niños en el cuidado infantil durante la emergencia COVID-19" brindado el 22 de octubre de 2020 ahora esta disponible para verse. 

El video ofrece una conversación cándida con la autora, oradora y entrenadora Barbara Kaiser acerca de maneras en que los proveedores de cuidado infantil pueden apoyar a los niños y sus familias a la vez que los programas de cuidado infantil reabren o continúan proveyendo cuidado durante la emergencia del COVID-19.

No se dará crédito por ver este video grabado.

Las preguntas de información general acerca del video pueden dirigirse a: ecetp@albany.edu

Esperamos que encuentre que la información de este video sea de ayuda para el importante trabajo que usted hace para niños y familias cada día.

Attention Training Organizations: Approval for Virtual Training has been extended through 04/30/2021. 

OCFS will allow previously approved classroom training and newly approved virtual training (submitted through EIP Event Approval or Aspire Training Approval process) to be delivered using a virtual platform. In order for participants to receive training credits a written request to conduct trainer-led virtual training must be submitted to the Professional Development Program at Rockefeller College University at Albany (PDP), in consultation with OCFS, for review and approval. The training must be facilitated by a credentialed trainer. Complete and submit this survey to be considered for approval.

Special live webinar training: "Supporting Children in Child Care During the COVID-19 Emergency". 

Please join us for this special live webinar training taken from your personal computer. Through a candid conversation with author, speaker and trainer, Barbara Kaiser, we will provide you with information on ways you can support children and families as childcare programs re-open or continue to provide care during the COVID-19 emergency.

This course will provide you with 1.5 hours of training.

Registration is now open but capacity is limited, so register today! Please note, you only need to register for ONE session.

Seminario web de capacitación especial en vivo: "Apoyando a los niños en el cuidado infantil durante la emergencia COVID-19". 

Únase a nosotros para este seminario web especial en vivo desde su computadora personal. A través de una conversación sincera con la autora, oradora y capacitadora, Barbara Kaiser, le proporcionaremos información sobre las formas en que puede apoyar a los niños y las familias a medida que los programas de cuidado infantil se reabren o continúan brindando atención durante la emergencia COVID-19.

Este curso le proporcionará 1.5 horas de formación.

On-Demand Trainers: 3 Trainings Now Available. 

1. (NEW) Town Hall Meeting: Child Abuse and Maltreatment
2. (NEW) Building Healthy Relationships with Effective Communication
3. Foundations in Health and Safety

Log into the Training Portal today to start scheduling new training sessions!

Virtual Thursdays! - The Office of Early Learning at NYSED Presents: P-3 Summer Institute. 

The NYS Council on Children and Families, through it's federal NYSB5 Grant, is co-sponsoring with the New York State Education Department, Office of Early Learning the annual P-3 Summer Institute.

During the month of August, you'll be able to access webinars and videos covering the topics of equity and social justice, anti-bias education, and more. New material will be available on the website every Thursday during August. Visit NYSED for more details.

Interested in Becoming an On-Demand Trainer? 

Are you looking for new ways to train your staff? Do you need more flexibility with scheduling? On-Demand Training can help! This feature gives you 24/7 access to a selection of our previously recorded webcasts, including handout materials. Click the link above to learn more about On-Demand Training!

"Guidance and Best Practices for Child Care Programs Operating During the COVID-19 Emergency" is now available for viewing. 

This special training provides guidance and clarification on interim guidelines for child care programs operating during the COVID-19 emergency. Discussion around best practice recommendations will also be addressed. This recorded session is for informational purposes only. Training credit will not be issued.

On-Demand Trainers: 3 Trainings Now Available. 

• Supporting Children and Families through Good Eating Practices (NEW)
• Addressing Challenging Behavior: The Pyramid Model in Action
• Foundations in Health and Safety.

Log into the Training Portal today to start scheduling new training sessions!

New sessions added! Special live webinar training: "Guidance and Best Practices for Child Care Programs Operating During the COVID-19 Emergency" 

Please join us for this special training. We will provide guidance and clarification on interim guidelines for child care programs operating during the COVID-19 emergency. We’ll also discuss best practice recommendations you can put into practice in your programs. You can register now for one of our 3 additional live sessions. They’ll be taking place on Wednesday, July 1st (1-2:30 PM) and Wednesday, July 1st (6:30-8 PM).

This course will provide you with 1.5 hours of training.

Registration is now open but capacity is limited, so register today! Please note, you only need to register for ONE session. If you are interested in congregate viewing of this training, email the ECETP mailbox for information.

The Department of Health INTERIM GUIDANCE FOR CHILD CARE AND DAY CAMP PROGRAMS DURING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY has been updated. 

The Department of Health INTERIM GUIDANCE FOR CHILD CARE AND DAY CAMP PROGRAMS DURING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY has been updated to read:

• "Responsible Parties must limit groups to 15 or fewer children/campers, excluding employees/staff, in a specific area (e.g. room) at any given time.
• Responsible Parties must ensure that different stable groups of up to 15 children/campers have no or minimal contact with one another or utilize common spaces at the same time, to the greatest extent possible".

An important note: child care programs are still required to follow the staff/child ratios and maximum group sizes as set forth in regulation.

If you have any questions, please consult your regulator.

Updated- Attention Training Organizations: Virtual Training Survey 

Due to the inability to deliver in-person training during the COVID-19 emergency, OCFS will allow previously approved classroom training and newly approved virtual training (submitted through EIP Event Approval or Aspire Training Approval process) to be delivered using a virtual platform. Training must be facilitated by a credentialed trainer, and a written request to conduct trainer-led virtual training must be submitted to the Professional Development Program at Rockefeller College University at Albany (PDP), in consultation with OCFS, for review and approval.

In order for training participants to receive training credit, virtual training must be approved through this process and posted to the PDP Early Childhood Education and Training Program website and/or Aspire event calendar prior to delivery. A survey and shared mailbox have been developed to assist with evaluating virtual training proposals. Proposed training events must be scheduled to occur prior to September 30, 2020 to be eligible. The committee will evaluate proposals expeditiously and track approved virtual trainings. This accommodation will provide a viable option to child care programs seeking to continue to fulfill training requirements while classroom trainings are unavailable.

"United in Hope: Caring for Children and Child Care Providers" is now available for viewing. 

You can watch this special informational session sharing Center for Disease Control (CDC), NYS Department of Health and Office of Children and Family Services guidance, best practices, and perhaps most importantly, hope. Please note training credit is no longer available for this session. For more video resources, subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Training Update and Upcoming Courses. 

Due to an overwhelming interest, "United in Hope: Caring for Children and Child Care Providers" on Thursday, May 7, 2020 and Tuesday, May 12, 2020 has reached maximum registration capacity. For more training opportunities during this time, please visit "Find Trainings" to register for other upcoming courses.

Another session of "United in Hope: Caring for Children and Child Care Providers" now scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2020! 

Due to overwhelming interest, we have added another session of "United in Hope: Caring for Children and Child Care Providers" on Tuesday, May 12, 2020!

This training will highlight how child care providers are essential to supporting children and families, each day and during difficult times. Registration is now open but seats are limited, so register today and secure your spot!

The newest e-Learning course, "What to Expect When Inspected," is available for training. 

During this fully narrated course, trainees will gain information on the role of regulators and how they assist child day care programs with coming into and maintaining regulatory compliance through inspections and technical assistance. The training will also share tips for preparing for inspections and partnering with regulators.

This course will provide you with 1.5 hours of training in the following OCFS training topics:

• Statutes and regulations pertaining to child day care
• Business record maintenance and management

Register today!

Special webcast on May 7, 2020 from 6:45pm – 9:15pm. 

Please join us for a special webcast on May 7, 2020 from 6:45pm – 9:15pm, "United in Hope: Caring for Children and Child Care Providers" to help promote hope and resilience for programs and families across New York. We'll share advice from experts on helping children cope with this pandemic, as well as messages of hope for families and providers.

Registration is now open but capacity is limited, so register today!

The newest e-Learning course, "Introduction to the New York State Child Day Care Regulations," is available for training. 

During this fully narrated course, trainees will gain information on the documents establishing the standards for operating licensed/registered, or regulated child day care, including the New York State Child Day Care Regulations.

This course will provide you with 1 hour of training in the following OCFS training topics:

• Statutes and regulations pertaining to child day care
• Business record maintenance and management

Register for the new e-Learning course today!

Live Webinar: April 9, 2020 at 2 p.m. - Child Care Providers and Federal Assistance: Small Business Administration Loans and Loan Forgiveness. 

OCFS, in conjunction with the Civil Service Employees Association, will be hosting a live webinar on "Child Care Providers and Federal Assistance: Small Business Administration Loans and Loan Forgiveness" on Thursday, April 9, 2020 at 2 p.m.

Featuring Tom Copeland, a leading expert on the business of child care.

An additional date/time has been added: Wednesday, April 8 at 7 P.M.

Live Webinar: April 8, 2020 at 7 p.m. - Child Care Providers and Federal Assistance: Small Business Administration Loans and Loan Forgiveness. 

OCFS, in conjunction with the Civil Service Employees Association, will be hosting a live webinar on "Child Care Providers and Federal Assistance: Small Business Administration Loans and Loan Forgiveness" on Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at 7 p.m.

Featuring Tom Copeland, a leading expert on the business of child care.

An additional date/time has been added: Thursday, April 9 at 2 P.M.

Interested in Becoming an On-Demand Trainer? Are you looking for new ways to train your staff? Do you need more flexibility with scheduling? On-Demand training can help! This feature gives you 24/7 access to a selection of our previously recorded webcasts, including handout materials. Click the link above to learn more about On-Demand Training!

On-Demand Trainers: 4 Trainings Now Available. 

• Educating for Sustainability (NEW)
• Child Abuse and Maltreatment with a Focus on Understanding Brain Injury and Prevention
• Addressing Challenging Behavior: An Overview of the Pyramid Model
• Foundations in Health and Safety

Log into the Training Portal today to start scheduling new training sessions!

COVID-19 Information for Child Care Providers and Programs. Get the latest updates from a trusted source. The New York State Office and Children and Family Services has updated information on COVID-19 specifically for the Child Care community.

New e-Learning course available. The newest e-Learning course "Anti-Bias Education in Early Childhood" is available for training.

During this fully narrated course trainees will gain information on how to examine or re-examine their childcare program to identify opportunities for creating change in regard to anti-bias materials, activities and curriculum.

This course will provide you with 1.5 hours of training in the following OCFS training topics:

• Principles of childhood development focusing on the developmental stages of the age groups for which the program provides care
• Child day care program development

Register today.

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information on Novel Coronavirus New York’s healthcare system is the best in the world, and our agencies are prioritizing testing, containment tracking and quarantine protocols to keep New Yorkers safe during this period.

Register now for 2020 Webcast Training at a training site near you!  Webcasts are sponsored by the Office of Children and Family Services and are provided at no cost to you. Titles include: Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Preschool and School-Age Years, Trauma Informed Care, and Town Hall Meeting: Your Role in Supporting Challenging Behaviors. Read more about our 2020 webcast topics.

Register today for 2020 Virtual Classes! 2020 Virtual classes are already filling up, so be sure to register for your "seat" today! These 1.5-hour evening and weekend classes can be taken on a desktop, tablet or even a cell phone, right from the comfort of your own home. Just login to your ECETP account to register for classes and access your registered trainings and materials.

OCFS Dear Provider Letter Regarding Coronavirus. You can read the Dear Provider letter and other important information for providers at the attached link.

On-Demand Trainers: Plan Ahead in 2020! Get a head start on planning your staff training! All 2020 On-Demand Trainings are now available for scheduling in the Training Portal. This year's offerings feature new topics including safety, sustainability, and a new Town Hall Meeting. Click the link above to start scheduling your On-Demand Trainings today!

Interested in Becoming an On-Demand Trainer? Are you looking for new ways to train your staff? Do you need more flexibility with scheduling? On-Demand training can help! This feature gives you 24/7 access to a selection of our previously recorded webcasts, including handout materials. Visit the link above to learn more about On-Demand Training!

El Programa de Incentivo Educativo (EIP) 2020. Cuidado Infantil del Estado de Nueva York, Programa de Incentivo Educativo: Solicitud de becas y folleto informativo (2020).

On-Demand Trainers: 3 Trainings Now Available. The trainings are "Town Hall Meeting: Examining the Business Side of Child Care", "Safety throughout the Year" and "Foundations in Health and Safety". Log into the Training Portal today to start scheduling new training sessions!

Register now for Virtual Classroom offerings in 2020! Registration for all 2020 Virtual Classroom offerings is now open! New topics include program safety, nutrition and child abuse and maltreatment, in addition to several of 2019's popular topics. These 1.5-hour evening and weekend classes are available right from your home or office on a desktop, tablet or even a cell phone. All you need is a computer or device, Internet access, and your ECETP account. Availability for each class is limited, so register today!

Virtual Classroom offerings in 2019! Don't miss out! Register now for the final two Virtual Classroom offerings of 2019: "Moving and Grooving in your Child Care Program" on Wednesday, 12/18, and "Addressing Challenging Behavior: The Pyramid Model in Action" on Monday, 12/30. These free 1.5-hour evening and weekend Virtual Classes are available right from your home or office on a desktop, tablet or even a cell phone. All you need is a computer, Internet access, and your ECETP account. Availability is limited, so register today!

Educational Incentive Program (EIP) 2020. The 2020 Educational Incentive Program (EIP) scholarship application and brochure are now available online. Apply online now for classes beginning in 2020!

Licensed/Registered Child Day Care Regulations Update 2019. On September 25, 2019, the Office of Children and Family Services implemented new regulations for licensed and registered child care programs. The types of programs, or modalities include: Child Day Care Centers, Family Day Care Homes, Group Family Day Care Homes, School- Age Child Care and Small Day Care Centers. Although this presentation isn't a complete guide to the NYS Day Care Regulations, it does identify the sections of the regulations that have changed or have been added. This presentation will also tell you the type of program or modality the regulation affects.

On-Demand Trainings Available! Are you and your staff looking for new training opportunities to finish the year? Check out these trainings available to On-Demand trainers: (1) Addressing Challenging Behavior: The Pyramid Model in Action, (2) More Than Just "Use Your Words": Promoting Positive Communication with Children, (3) Nutrition: Obesity Prevention, Picky Eaters and Food Allergy Management, and (4) Foundations in Health and Safety. If you'd like to become an On-Demand Trainer, visit the On-Demand Training page for more information. If you are already an On-Demand trainer, log into the Training Portal today to start scheduling new training sessions!

Virtual Classroom offerings in November! Sign up now for 2 upcoming classes: "Moving and Grooving in your Child Care Program" on 11/19 and "Addressing Challenging Behavior: The Pyramid Model in Action" on 11/30. These free 1.5-hour evening and weekend Virtual Classes are available right from your home or office on a desktop, tablet or even a cell phone. All you need is a computer, Internet access, and your ECETP account! These classes are a great way to brush up on your skills and earn necessary training hours when it's convenient for you. Sessions fill up quickly, so check our website for other 2019 Virtual Classes class offerings and register today!

Time is running out! Register at one of the locations in NYS to participate in the November 6, 2019 webcast "Town Hall Meeting: Child Abuse and Maltreatment". As a Mandated Reporter you are required, by law, to report cases of suspected child abuse or maltreatment to the Statewide Central Register. Knowing when to make that call can be a difficult decision, and certainty about what happens next may make it seem more intimidating. During this unique training, staff from the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), Child Protective Services (CPS) and the Statewide Central Register (SCR), will analyze case studies and highlight red flags with professionals from the child care community. At your site, you'll dissect the case studies and discuss your findings with your group. Then all participants around the state will tune in to hear what the experts have to say about the case studies and what you can do to avoid similar risky situations. This training will cover the OCFS training topic areas of statutes and regulations pertaining to child abuse and maltreatment; child abuse and maltreatment identification and prevention and safety and security procedures. The webcast is going to be packed with valuable information that will help fulfill your responsibilities as a Mandated Reporter of child abuse and maltreatment. You're not going to want to miss out, so register today!

Virtual Classroom training is now available! These free 1.5 hour evening and weekend Virtual Classes are available right from your home or office on a desktop, tablet or even a cell phone. Topics for 2019 include "Addressing Challenging Behavior: The Pyramid Model in Action", "Identifying and Helping Children Who have Experienced Trauma" and "Moving and Grooving in your Child Care Program." All you need is a computer, Internet access, and your ECETP account! These classes are a great way to brush up on your skills and earn necessary training hours when it's convenient for you. Sessions fill up quickly, so register today!

On-Demand Training Opportunity (Child Day Care Centers / School-Age Child Care Programs). Are you looking for new ways to train your staff? Do you need more flexibility with scheduling? Our On-Demand Training can help! This feature gives you 24/7 access to a selection of our previously recorded webcasts, including handout materials and directions for conducting the training and on-site activities. You're eligible to be an approved On-Demand Trainer if you're a director and/or qualified trainer in a child day care center or school-age child care program. Once you're approved, choose a topic and schedule a time that works best for you and your staff. If you'd like to become an On-Demand Trainer, visit the On-Demand Training page for more information.

On-Demand Trainers: 3 New Trainings Are Now Available. The three new trainings are: (1) Addressing Challenging Behavior: The Pyramid Model in Action, (2) More Than Just "Use Your Words": Promoting Positive Communication with Children, and (3) Nutrition: Obesity Prevention, Picky Eaters and Food Allergy Management. Log into the Training Portal today to start scheduling new training sessions!

Register today! Seats are filling up at locations all over the state to participate in the November 6, 2019 webcast "Town Hall Meeting: Child Abuse and Maltreatment." As a Mandated Reporter you are required, by law, to report cases of suspected child abuse or maltreatment to the Statewide Central Register. Knowing when to make that call can be a difficult decision, and certainty about what happens next may make it seem more intimidating. During this unique training, staff from the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), Child Protective Services (CPS) and the Statewide Central Register (SCR), will analyze case studies and highlight red flags with professionals from the child care community. At your site, you'll dissect the case studies and discuss your findings with your group. Then all participants around the state will tune in to hear what the experts have to say about the case studies and what you can do to avoid similar risky situations. This training will cover the OCFS training topic areas of statutes and regulations pertaining to child abuse and maltreatment; child abuse and maltreatment identification and prevention and safety and security procedures. The webcast is going to be packed with valuable information that will help fulfill your responsibilities as a Mandated Reporter of child abuse and maltreatment. You're not going to want to miss out, so register today!

Seats are still available for Pyramid Model training. Register NOW for this NO-COST training opportunity! PDP sponsored Pyramid Model training is available at NO-COST for New York State childcare providers. To find an offering near you, visit the attached link.

Looking for FREE training that meets OCFS training requirements and conveniently fits into your busy schedule? Virtual Class webinars offer focused live interactive training exclusively for NYS-regulated child day care providers, with small class sizes for more individual attention. These webinars are offered evenings and weekends to help you make a big impact on your program with just a 90-minute time commitment—all you need is a computer, Internet access, and an ECETP account! Register today.

New e-Learning course available: "Implicit Bias in Early Childhood". The newest e-Learning course "Implicit Bias in Early Childhood" is available for training. During this fully narrated course you will learn information pertaining to how implicit, or unrecognized, biases can influence the children, families and staff in your childcare program. Learning points of the training are enhanced throughout using video clips and interactive exercises. This course will provide you with 1.5 hours of training in the following OCFS training topics: Principles of childhood development focusing on the developmental stages of the age groups for which the program provides care, and Child day care program development. Register today.

Did you know? Your e-Learning training can be automatically uploaded to your Aspire account. Your e-Learning training can be automatically uploaded to your Aspire account. This can now be done without the need to make and mail copies of your certificates, etc. You only need to add your Aspire member number to your ECETP account profile. Aspire will do all the work of recording the hours and topics completed. This will not only make it easier to track your progress but also provides a great Professional development record for yourself. Visit the NY training Registry (ASPIRE) website to learn more and get started.

Register today for the Wednesday, November 6th Webcast, Town Hall Meeting: Child Abuse and Maltreatment.  

Register today for the Tuesday July 16th Webcast, Safety throughout the Year. New webcast training sites are now available. Herkimer, NY - Herkimer Community College, New York, NY - ACS: Children's Center, and Bridgehampton, NY - The Children's Museum of the East End.

Free informational Webinar! The New York Center for Child Development (NYCCD) and the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) in collaboration with CTAC, is providing a free informational Webinar, the Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood. The Webinar will review the specialized diagnostic classification system for infancy and early childhood, as well as approaches to diagnosis. Participants will receive a complimentary copy of the manual and CEUs will be offered. Register for this free Webinar on June 27th!

Register now for the July 16th Webcast! Join us on July 16, 2019 for our webcast "Safety throughout the Year." You'll learn the components of safe child care programs including emergency planning and communication. You will also learn about seasonal safety tasks and how to address topics such as animals in programs, environmental concerns and much more. It's going to be packed with information that you're not going to want to miss, so register today!

CDC's Milestones Tracker app. The CDC has developed the Milestone Tracker app, now available for free download. Using the handy illustrated checklists, you can track child milestones from age 2 months to 5 years. This app also includes tips and activities, photos and videos to help identify milestones, appointment reminders, and milestone summaries.

No-cost, OCFS-sponsored training: Safety throughout the Year webcast. Tuesday, July 16, 2019 from 6:45 to 9:15 PM: Safety throughout the Year webcast. Register now and choose a location near you to attend this important training.

Register now for the April 11th Webcast! Register now for the April 11th webcast: Supporting Children and Families through Good Eating Practices.

No-Cost PDP-Sponsored Pyramid Model Classroom Training Available in 2019. PDP will be sponsoring no-cost Pyramid Model classroom training beginning in April 2019. Deliveries of the Pyramid Model Preschool Modules 1-3 and the Pyramid Model Infant and Toddler Modules 1-3 will be offered at various locations throughout New York State throughout the year. In order to be eligible, you must first create an ECETP account by clicking the "Log In" button in the top right corner of the homepage. You may search and register for available PDP Pyramid Model training on the ECETP Homepage by selecting "Find"; then "Find Trainings" on the toolbar at the top of the page or by clicking on the "Find Trainings" button in the middle of the homepage. Once on the training calendar site, select the PDP Pyramid Model checkbox under "Program" to find available trainings. Additional training deliveries will be added to the site throughout 2019, so check back often to see new classes and locations.

Register now for 2019 Webcast Trainings at a location near you! Webcasts are sponsored by the Office of Children and Family Services and are provided at no cost to you, so be sure to create an account/register through your ECETP account today. An ECETP account gives you faster access to your training certificates and streamlines the overall registration process. Visit the attached link for a schedule of webcast trainings and to register online.

IMPORTANT new information is available regarding EIP Scholarships for CDA Assessment and Renewal Fees. Please read!  

El Programa de Incentivo Educativo (EIP) 2019. Cuidado Infantil del Estado de Nueva York, Programa de Incentivo Educativo: Solicitud de becas y folleto informativo (2019).

OCFS has launched the Facility Application and Management System (FAMS). FAMS is a secure process that will first be available to all new Day Care Center (DCC) and School-Age Child Care (SACC) applicants to complete and submit their initial application for a child care license or registration online. Check out this video to learn more.

New Online Course: Prevention and Identification of Brain Injuries, Including Abusive Head Trauma (AHT). The newest e-Learning course "Prevention and Identification of Brain Injuries, Including Abusive Head Trauma (AHT)" is available for training. During this fully narrated course you will learn information pertaining to common causes of brain injuries in children as well as brain injury prevention tips that can be used in childcare programs and shared with families. Learning points of the training are enhanced throughout using video clips and interactive exercises. This course will provide you with 2 hours of training in the following OCFS training topics: Principles of childhood development, focusing on the developmental stages of the age groups for which the program provides care, Safety and security procedures, Education and information on the identification, diagnosis and prevention of shaken baby syndrome, Statutes and regulations pertaining to child day care, Statutes and regulations pertaining to child abuse and maltreatment, and Child abuse and maltreatment identification and prevention.

Educational Incentive Program (EIP) 2019. The Information Booklet and scholarship applications for the 2019 Educational Incentive Program are now available online. You can also apply online right on our website.

EIP scholarship application deadline. EIP applications for training taken in 2018 must be submitted by Saturday, December 1, 2018 to be considered for a scholarship. Applications for 2018 training will not be accepted after that date. We will begin accepting applications for 2019 scholarships on Monday, December 3, 2018.

NYS Pyramid Model Program-Wide Implementation Application for Cohort 3 – Due October 1!  

Register today! Seats are filling up at locations all over the state to participate in the October 25, 2018 webcast "Town Hall Meeting: Examining the Business Side of Child Care." The everyday actions and decisions of all individuals employed in a child care program (not just the director or owner/operator) can have a significant impact on its success as a business. During this unique training, attorney and child care business expert Tom Copeland, and OCFS regulations expert Mark DeCicco, analyze case studies and highlight regulatory red flags with professionals from the child care community. At your site, you'll dissect the case studies and discuss your findings with your group. Then all participants around the state will tune in to hear what the experts Mr. Copeland and Mr. DeCicco have to say about the case studies and what you can do to avoid similar risky situations. The webcast is going to be packed with valuable information that will help fulfill the business maintenance responsibilities of your program. You're not going to want to miss out, so register today!

Fax services restored. Fax services for ECETP and EIP are now up and running.

Educating for Sustainability. Join us on June 7, 2018 for our webcast "Educating for Sustainability." You'll discover why there is a growing recognition for educating for sustainability and STEAM curriculum in early childhood. You will also find out how you can use sustainability as a lens to envision your entire program from how decisions are made, to curriculum content, to configuring your play spaces and connecting with families. It's going to be packed with information that you're not going to want to miss, so register today!

Building Healthy Relationships with Effective Communication. Join us on April 12, 2018 for our webcast "Building Healthy Relationships with Effective Communication." You'll learn how to use strong, professional communication skills to create a welcoming atmosphere, resolve conflicts and communicate sensitive information. You will also gain knowledge of the ins and outs of using social networking as a way to communicate in the early childhood field, as well as tips on how to cultivate a stronger relationship with your licensor or registrar. It's going to be packed with information that you're not going to want to miss, so register today!

EIP Scholarships for coaching are available for child care providers. Professional development hours obtained through coaching are eligible to be used towards the 30 hour regulatory training requirements. Child care providers interested in applying for coaching can get more information by visiting the attached link.

The 2018 Early Childhood Webcast training schedule is now available.  

Need training in business, program development or another OCFS topic area? Join us for our 2018 Webcasts! Titles include "Building Healthy Relationships with Effective Communication," "Educating for Sustainability" and "Town Hall Meeting - Examining the Business Side of Child Care." More information can be found on our website. Register today online!

El Programa de Incentivo Educativo (EIP) 2018. Cuidado Infantil del Estado de Nueva York, El Programa de Incentivo Educativo: 2018 Solicitud de becas y folleto informativo.

Educational Incentive Program (EIP) 2018. The Information Booklet and scholarship applications for the 2018 Educational Incentive Program are now available online. You can also apply online right on our website.

Interested in Becoming an On-Demand Trainer? Are you looking for new ways to train your staff? Do you need more flexibility with scheduling? Our On-Demand training can help! This feature gives you 24/7 access to a selection of our previously recorded webcasts, including handout materials. You are eligible to be an approved On-Demand Trainer if you're a Child Day Care Center Director or Director of a School-Age Child Care program. Once you're approved, simply pick a topic and schedule a training time that works best for you and your staff. Visit the On-Demand Web Based Training page for more information.

Current On-Demand Trainers: 2 New Trainings Are Available. Two new trainings are available. The new titles are "Addressing Challenging Behavior: The Pyramid Model in Action" and "Identifying and Helping Children Who Have Experienced Trauma".

Special Webcast: Focus on the New York State Child Day Care Regulations. Join us on October 26, 2017 for our videoconference titled "Special Webcast: Focus on the New York State Child Day Care Regulations." You'll get up-to-date information regarding the child day care regulations, including in-depth looks at specific policies, regulations, and training requirements. A discussion on statutes and regulations pertaining to child abuse and maltreatment will also take place.* It's going to be packed with information that you’re not going to want to miss, so register today! *Additional Training Topic Areas added: (4) Safety and security procedures, (8) Statutes and regulations pertaining to child abuse and maltreatment.

9 月30日截止日期提醒。 聯邦兒童照護與發展分類津貼 (federal Child Care and Development Block Grant, CCDBG) 要求特定的授權、註冊與法律豁免的兒童照護員工、看護人員與志工於 2017年9 月30日前完成健康與安全訓練。5 小時的 OCFS 健康與安全基金會線上學習將滿足所有必要的健康與安全主題。此訓練不收費，請立即報名並完成訓練！

EIP Scholarships for Coaching are now available for child care providers. Coaching is designed to help child care providers improve the overall quality of their child care program. Child care providers work with a coach to develop a strength-based effective coaching plan that addresses areas for learning and program improvement. Information for Child care providers who are interested in applying for EIP Coaching scholarships can be found at the link above.

Are you eligible to participate with EIP as a Coach? Individuals who hold the NYS Training and Technical Assistance Professional Coach designation (T-TAP Coach) and/or the Pyramid Model Practice Based Coaching endorsement are currently eligible to participate with EIP to provide coaching. Information on how to participate with EIP as a Coach can be found at the link above.

Reminder of September 30th Deadline. The federal Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) requires certain licensed, registered, and legally exempt child care employees, caregivers and volunteers to complete health and safety training by September 30, 2017. The 5 hour OCFS Foundations in Health and Safety e-learning will satisfy all required health and safety topics. There is no charge for this training. Sign up to complete this training today!

Recordatorio de la fecha límite del 30 de septiembre. La subvención federal para el cuidado y desarrollo del niño (CCDBG) requiere que ciertos empleados, cuidadores y voluntarios con licencia, registrados y legalmente exentos cumplan la capacitación de salud y seguridad antes del 30 de septiembre de 2017. Las fundaciones de OCFS de 5 horas en e-learning de Salud y Seguridad satisfarán todos los temas de salud y seguridad requeridos. No hay ningún cargo por este entrenamiento.

Nuevo curso online: Aprendizaje a distancia sobre fundamentos de salud y seguridad. La Oficina de Servicios para Niños y Familias (OCFS, por sus siglas en inglés) adoptó los reglamentos de emergencia el 20 de marzo de 2017. Estos reglamentos le ayudarán al estado de Nueva York a cumplir con los requisitos de salud y seguridad presentados en el programa federal del Bloque de Subsidios para el Desarrollo y Cuidado Infantil (CCDBG, por sus siglas en inglés) con que deben cumplir los programas de cuidado infantil con licencia y registro y los programas de cuidado infantil exentos legalmente inscritos antes del 30 de septiembre de 2017. Nos alegramos de anunciar que nuestro nuevo curso "Aprendizaje a distancia sobre fundamentos de salud y seguridad" le ayudará a cumplir con estos requisitos. Se inscriba hoy para comenzar este curso interactivo narrado de 5 horas.

New Online Course: Foundations in Health and Safety e-Learning. The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) adopted emergency regulations on March 20, 2017. These regulations will help New York State fulfill the health and safety requirements set forth by the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) that all licensed/registered and enrolled legally-exempt programs need to comply with by September 30, 2017. We are pleased to announce that our new course, "Foundations in Health and Safety e-Learning," will help you meet this requirement. Sign up today to take this fully narrated, interactive 5-hour course.

More Than Just 'Use Your Words': Promoting Positive Communication with Children. Join us on June 1, 2017 for our videoconference titled "More Than Just 'Use Your Words': Promoting Positive Communication with Children." During this training, you'll gain valuable information about the various ways we communicate and the impact it has on child development. You'll also learn techniques you can use to help children respond instead of react during times of stress. It's going to be packed with information that you're not going to want to miss, so register today!

Nutrition: Obesity Prevention, Picky Eaters and Food Allergy Management. Join us for our next videoconference titled "Nutrition: Obesity Prevention, Picky Eaters and Food Allergy Management" on March 16, 2017. During this informative training, you'll gain valuable information about nutrition for young children. You'll also get tips for working with picky eaters and how to manage food intolerances and food allergies in your program. It's going to be packed with information that you're not going to want to miss, so register today.

The 2017 Early Childhood Videoconference training schedule is now open for registration.  

The 2017 Early Childhood videoconference training schedule is now available.  

El Programa de Incentivo Educativo (Educational Incentive Program, EIP) 2017. Cuidado Infantil del Estado de Nueva York, El Programa de Incentivo Educativo (Educational Incentive Program, EIP): 2017 Solicitud de Becas y Cuadernillo de Información.

Important News for Schools and Child Care Facilities: Flu Season. Schools and child-care settings are required to post influenza educational material, in plain view, within their facilities. Information should be posted starting now. Influenza season begins in early fall and can last through May. Read more at the New York State Office of Children and Family Services website.

Study: Daily Routines Impact Childhood Development. A collaborative study, led by University at Albany psychologist Jennifer Weil Malatras, found that individuals who grow up with predictable, daily routines are less likely to have time management or attention problems as adults. Visit the link to read the full article.

Educational Incentive Program (EIP) 2017. The Information Booklet and Application for the 2017 Educational Incentive Program is now available online. You can also apply online right on our website.

New Online Course: Expulsion and Suspension Prevention Strategies. We are pleased to announce that we have added our newest e-Learning course titled "Expulsion and Suspension Prevention Strategies" to our course catalog. During this fully narrated course trainees will learn important information pertaining to the definition of the terms expulsion and suspension; research and statistics about expulsion and suspension of children in early childhood programs; negative effects expulsion and prevention can have on young children and their families, and preventative measures that can be taken to reduce the amount of suspensions and expulsions that occur in early childhood. Learning points of the training are enhanced throughout using video clips and interactive exercises.

Addressing Challenging Behavior: The Pyramid Model in Action. Join us for our next videoconference titled "Addressing Challenging Behavior: The Pyramid Model in Action" on November 3, 2016. During this informative training, you'll be introduced to the Pyramid Model for Supporting Social Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children. You'll also learn about specific strategies you can use to promote children's social emotional skill development which can help curb challenging behaviors. It will be packed with information that you're not going to want to miss, so register today at the link above.

Addressing Challenging Behavior: An Overview of the Pyramid Model. On June 3, 2016, we held the first in a two part series of Videoconferences "Addressing Challenging Behavior: An Overview of the Pyramid Model". We received many requests asking to make the videoconference available for those who could not attend that evening, so here it is! We encourage you to watch this webcast to learn about what the Pyramid Model is and how you can use it in your program to reduce challenging behaviors and support families. You will hear insight from staff of a program that works every day to implement the Pyramid Model. And when you are done watching, be sure to register for part two of the series, "Addressing Challenging Behavior: Pyramid Model in Action" where you will learn how to implement specific Pyramid Model strategies in your program.