Child Care Today Blog
Summer Safety and Summer Fun Activities
By Registration Supervisor Kelly Maloney
Summer is here! For many that means playing outside and keeping children occupied for an extended day. Here are some tips for staying safe this summer, and some activities to have some fun.
Summer safety is a very important topic. Summer...
Beat the Heat with Local Pools & Splash Pads

Alden Kiddie Pool- Open from 11-6 weather permitting (open July 4th)
Amherst-...
30+ Places to Visit Around Buffalo This Summer
If you’re like most parents or teachers around here this time of year you’re in the midst of all the end of the year hubbub, Pre-school, and Kindergarten graduation, moving up ceremonies and the beginnings of summer vacation. While you may be signing your children up for every summer camp...
National Reading Month

March 2nd was not only Dr. Seuss’s Birthday but it also kicked off National Reading Month! To many parents and caregivers reading is one of the most important milestones that children reach. There are many things that can be done at home and in daycare that can help...
Happy St. Patrick's Day

It’s that time of year again, the red and pink hearts of Valentine’s Day have given way to the green, gold & rainbows we associate with St. Patrick’s Day. Everyone is a little Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, and while your local parade might not be the most child-friendly...
Family Game Night- The Benefits of Game Play

Playing board games is great for children for many reasons besides the obvious; it’s fun to play games! Age appropriate games can help children to think strategically, solve problems creatively, work on pattern recognition and build simple math skills. They also help children...
What Does it Mean to be an Early Care and Learning Advocate

by Amanda Kelkenberg, CEO
Imagine a community where every child is participating in a high-quality early learning program. Imagine a...
Be Our Valentine!

When someone says Valentine’s Day our minds often conjure images of roses, hearts, funny Valentine’s Day cards and love. But Valentine’s Day isn’t just a Hallmark holiday for lovers; it can be a great learning opportunity for children too.
...Children's Dental Health Month

February is National children’s dental health month. This month thousands of dentists and hygienists go to classrooms across the country to speak about the importance of dental hygiene. The American Dental Association and dentist all over also celebrate Give Kids a Smile Day by...
Are You Ready for Tax Time

by: Michelle Wilson, Education & Training Specialist
During this time of year, I receive many phone calls from family and group family providers asking for advice on how they should organize and prepare their...
Staying Cold & Flu Free!
Cold & Flu season is upon us. Across the country, hospitals and doctors’ offices are reporting widespread cases of the flu. Emergency rooms are bogged down and ...
Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is rapidly approaching. So as we prepare for a day off from school or work it is important to reflect upon why we celebrate this holiday. Dr. King is most famous...
Have Fun & Stay Safe During Winter Weather!

As any parent of a toddler probably knows children aren't always fond of coats, and getting ready to leave the house on a cold day can be so daunting it's easier just not to leave the house at all. Beyond feeling constricted by an additional layer of clothing, another problem...
Pregnant CDA Candidate Finishes Course Days After Giving Birth
In the middle of the Fall 2016-17 Child Development Associate (CDA) course, a CDA Candidate, Kathia, shared with her classmates and teacher, Gayle Nixon, that she was expecting and due towards the end of the course. Kathia worked hard throughout the course, despite the various struggles that can...
The Benefits of Becoming a Legally Exempt Child Care Provider

By Chaznique Cooks, Legally Exempt Enrollment Specialist
While there are many benefits to becoming a legally exempt provider beyond providing safe, high-quality child care, the main benefit is just that: quality.
What is Legally Exempt Child Care?
Legally Exempt...
How to Find the Best Child Care

By Christen Balistreri, Parent and Employer Services Specialist
The process of finding child care for your little one can be very overwhelming and scary. Not only are you working away from your children all day, but you need to find a safe, nurturing and cost-effective caregiver...
CACFP Meal Pattern Changes Made Simple

By Billie Jo Meehan, CLC, CACFP Specialist
The CACFP new meal pattern changes will go into effect October 1, 2017. The changes align CACFP meal patterns with the most up-to-date nutrition requirements from USDA. The goal for the changes is to ensure that children are receiving...
Meet Our New Staff: July 2017
Jocelyn Marshall, Executive Administrative Assistant
Q: What did you do prior to CCRN?
A: “I am...
Back It Up: Keeping your Provider Documents Safe

By Carrie Truesdell, Information Specialist
As computers continue to be used increasingly in child care programs for record keeping, marketing, and program planning, it’s important to remember one thing: they crash. And recovering your files, pictures, music, and other...
Child Care Tips for Parents with Infants and Toddlers

Finding the right child care program for your family isn’t just important – it can be an intimidating or scary process. There are many things you should know before you go into the process that can make it easier, though.
When looking for a child care program, be sure to keep these tips...
Advocacy Update Spring 2017

This past advocacy season has been a busy one! With the state budget still not set, Child Care Resource Network has been working locally as well as on a state-wide scale to ensure that child care funding is at the front of all legislators minds.
- In November 2016, Erie County...
Top 9 Most Common Citations During Child Care Inspections & How to Avoid Them

By Jackie Roberson, Jr., Director of Legally Exempt
- Immunization records not found on-site for each child
- Smoking conducted indoors
- No working carbon monoxide detector on-site
- Materials such as lighters, medications, detergents, aerosol cans, and...
How to Get More Referrals for your Summer Camp

By Christen Balistreri, Parent and Employer Services Specialist
Suddenly it's spring and you realize that school will be out soon – but you still have spots open in your summer camp. What do you do?
Filling summer camp slots is often difficult for child care providers....
Child Abuse Prevention Month: Building Community, Building Hope

By Susan DiNatale, Director of Education & Training
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time specifically set aside to bring awareness to child abuse, how to prevent it, and how to identify victims of abuse. Child abuse victims are not only young children; they are...
Local Child Care Professional Named Entrepreneur of the Year

By Courtney Gfroerer, Marketing & Community Impact Specialist
This past February, group family child care provider Solange Niyigena was awarded Westminster Economic Development Initiative (WEDI)s Entrepreneur of the Year. “The award goes to a person who has shown a...
More Than Just Reimbursement: Why You Should Participate in CACFP

By Karen Kopacz, Director of CACFP
March is National Nutrition Month – a time to focus our attention on the importance of making nutritious food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. What a great time to sign up for the Child and Adult Care Food...