The Jericho-Syosset-Woodbury Child Care Partnership held its monthly meeting recently to discuss recent happenings in the child care industry.

A major breakthrough for the partnership took place on Aug. 8 at the Town of Oyster Bay Hall. An amendment was proposed to chapter 246 Zoning, making child care a permitted use in commercial zones. In residential zones, child care proposals will require a public hearing, and parking rules will be eased and a safe drop off area will also be required.

"Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto sat down with Gloria Wallace, who is the director of the child care council, and said he realized that a change was needed," said Lenore Sylvan, chair of the Partnership.

The proposal allows more room for a safe drop-off area for the children. There was previously a parking spot allotted for every person, including the children. Now there is one for every 12 people allowing more room. This is a major breakthrough for the child care industry, according to Sylvan.

Roberta Kuehl, of Grubb & Ellis, was a major catalyst in this battle to pass the proposed legislation. "Roberta was the one who initially told us about all of the problems that Realtors face," said Sylvan. "She had some ideas that would greatly help the situation and she does not get the credit that she deserves. Her faith and commitment to childcare has been wonderful. She does not get any money and she keeps going to bat for us. She is constantly out there talking about the need. She was a major person behind this change."

Sylvan hopes that this zone change in Oyster Bay, which will be officially signed by Venditto in a few weeks, will carry over into neighboring towns as well.

Also discussed at the meeting was a new program entitled Grandparents as Caregivers. Sylvan has been working with Alicia Martinez of the Cornell Cooperative Extension Nassau County, located in Plainview, and the New York State Office of Children and Family Services on this program. Budget cuts have halted the project and Sylvan hopes to meet with Martinez next week and discuss ways of starting the program again.

Sylvan has hopes of holding this program in a local library. While the children are listening to stories, their grandparents will be trained on children's developmental skills. "Children do things that we know are normal, but the grandparents are not sure," said Sylvan. The details are still being worked out, but Sylvan would like to see the program running in about two months.

The partnership has many plans for the future in addition to the Grandparents as Caregivers program. They have a new brochure coming out soon and have been talking to people on the corporate level to try and emphasize the importance of childcare. "We are trying to show corporate Long Island that early child care is as important as higher education," said Sylvan. "So many corporations will pay in for higher education scholarships, but the time has come where that sector has to realize that they have to help out. Children will not be successful enough to get to college if they do not have a good beginning."

The next 12 meetings were already arranged for the convenience of the members. Except for the Sept. and July meetings, all will be held on the first Thursday of the month. The dates are as follows: Sept.14, Oct. 5. Nov. 2, Dec. 7, Jan. 4, 2001, Feb. 1, 2001, March 1, 2001, April 5, 2001, May 3, 2001, June 7, 2001, July 12, 2001 and Aug. 2, 2001 and will be held in the Jericho Schools conference room. Everyone is welcome.