The Child Care Council of Dutchess and Putnam, Inc.

Our office is closed today for Juneteenth. We will see you on Monday!

Parent & Provider Reminder: Tick Check Time!
With warmer weather and increased outdoor play, it's important to check children for ticks daily. Ticks can be very small and are often found in warm, hidden areas such as:
• Behind the ears
• Along the hairline and scalp
• Under the arms
• Around the waist
• Behind the knees
• Between the legs
After outdoor activities, perform a thorough tick check and remove any ticks promptly using fine-tipped tweezers. Wearing light-colored clothing and using an age-appropriate insect repellent can also help prevent tick bites.
A quick tick check today can help prevent illness tomorrow!
Stay safe and enjoy the outdoors!

There are many different types of child care that are available for your family. Check out our website to see the differences so you can make the best decision for you!
https://zurl.co/uxdYD

Next week is our Putnam Open House! Be sure to drop by for one-on-one coaching with a Resource Coordinator. Drop by between 10 am- 6 pm, Monday through Friday to answer your questions about opening a child care program.

Keep an eye out for our upcoming trainings! Register on our website: https://zurl.co/tJwGB

Here's a tip from our Resource Coordinators. Make sure you rotate the toys and learning materials in your program to keep children engaged and curious.

June is national fresh fruit and vegetable month. Eating a diverse diet with a variety of fruits and veggies helps children stay nourished and healthy. But fresh fruits and vegetables are often treated with pesticides. Children are at greater risk for health complications due to pesticide exposure because of their small size and developing nervous system. So, it is very important to clean your produce effectively to reduce this risk. The correct and safest way to clean fresh produce is to wash it gently under cold, running tap water. The US Food and Drug Administration and the CDC recommend plain water and avoid soaps or commercial produce washes. Fruits and vegetables are porous and can absorb these chemicals which can cause illness.

While at the The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) conference in April, Wendy was excited to attend a training about resilience hosted by Rachel Wagner.

Rachel is a social worker and the author of a training Wendy hosts for our providers; 'Flip it: Transforming Challenging Behaviors in Young Children." Wendy found the training very informative and was grateful to connect with Rachel.

Making sure you are providing your children with nutritional foods is essential to their development!

Michelle of Stepping Stones Childcare and Development, Inc. takes great pride in the work she and her team do each day. She shares that many of the children enrolled begin in the infant program, allowing her the unique opportunity to watch them grow and develop over time. By the time they transition out of the program, they are emotionally, socially, and developmentally prepared to begin their next chapter.

Michelle explains that she entered the early childhood education field with the goal of making a meaningful difference. She emphasizes that early childhood education goes far beyond babysitting, noting that the first five years of a child’s life are critical to their overall development. She is committed to playing a positive and formative role during this important stage, despite the challenges the field can bring. Michelle expresses deep gratitude for her dedicated staff and the owner of Stepping Stones, who share her passion and commitment. She takes particular pride in observing her team collaborate to nurture, guide, and support the children in their care.

Michelle also highlights the council as an invaluable resource. She and her staff greatly appreciate the training opportunities provided, as well as the council’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the early childhood workforce and support families. She specifically notes the council’s responsiveness, emphasizing that staff are consistently available to answer questions and assist in problem-solving.