The Child Care Council is your link to child care in Suffolk County. You have come to the right place if you are:
- A parent seeking the right care for your child
- An employer interested in the child care needs of your employees
- A current or prospective child care provider looking for training and support
Resource and Referral: The Council's R&R specialists provide parents with current child
care information, options, and detailed guidelines to help them become better child care consumers. Providers of child care include child care centers, family child care, nursery schools, Head Start, Pre-Kindergarten, and in-home care by nannies or au pairs. Information about emergency care, before/after school programs, and holiday/vacation programs is available. Our database is has the most comprehensive and up to date information about child care services in Suffolk County. Registration: The Council's Registration Department registers and inspects family child care homes and school-age child care programs in Suffolk County. They provide technical assistance to child care providers and monitor programs for compliance with New York State regulations on an ongoing basis. Education and Training: The Council's commitment to child care providers extends well beyond referrals to families seeking child care. Information, educational training, and technical assistance are offered. Regular classes in early childhood education and related topics are available at the Council's Commack office and other Suffolk locations. A quarterly newsletter, a lending library, and a wide variety of educational and topical materials are also offered to the provider community. The Council encourages providers to further their education. Child/Adult Care Food Program: CACFP is a federally funded program designed to help children under age 13 receive nutritious and safely prepared meals. It is designed to provide child care providers with a comprehensive understanding of nutrition, food safety, and menu variety through nutrition expertise and consultation, training and resource materials, program guidelines, and on-site monitoring visits and approvals. Government reimbursements for meals and snacks are available through the program. Parent Leadership Initiative: PLI is a 15-week intensive, hands-on training program that empowers participants with the knowledge, skills, and confidence necessary to become a leader in their communities. It provides a forum to bring together a diverse group of individuals with a common interest in creating a safe environment for children and equips participants with the tools needed to take action to influence positive change in their communities. Community Outreach: The Council acts as a catalyst for positive change in Suffolk County and works collaboratively with a network of like agencies in New York State and on the national level. The Council hosts both group and individual meetings and discussions with community members and legislators to keep the issue of quality child care for all families prominent and visible. For more information about any of our services, please call us at 631-462-0303 or visit our website at www.childcaresuffolk.org.
