The Jericho-Syosset-Woodbury Partnership of the Child Care Council of Nassau Inc. has been very active in the past few months working on many projects for the New Year.

Past projects include a production by Jericho High School students with script approval by Child Care Council, of an award-winning video entitled Child Care Issues; a publication of a brochure on Jericho-Syosset-Woodbury child care resources and active participation in re-coding the Town of Oyster Bay zoning ordinance dealing with child care. The group's most recent project has been a class entitled "Grandparents as Caregivers".

This program, which will begin with a "Grandparent Meeting" on Wednesday, Jan. 24, will be held in conjunction with the Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE), located in Plainview.

CCE is an educational, not-for-profit agency serving Nassau County residents for over 85 years. It provides programs and research-based information on horticulture and environmental topics, food and nutrition, consumer issues, parenting and youth development to improve community vitality. Volunteers help to make the programs more effective in reaching larger numbers.

Alicia Martinez, extension educator at CCE, has been working closely with Lenore Sylvan, chairperson for the Jericho-Syosset-Woodbury Child Care Partnership, on bringing this program to the area.

"We now look forward to bringing together grandparents as caregivers with known leaders in the field of parenting," said Sylvan.

The meeting, taking place on Jan. 24 from 10 - 11 a.m. at the Jericho Public Library, is for any grandparent caring for a grandchild part or full time. The meeting will focus on three topics: ages and stages, how to have more giggles and fun and how to make order out of disorder.

There is no fee to attend the meeting and all are encouraged to attend. The meeting will also include a story hour for the children, and guest speakers Alicia Martinez of CCE and Bonnie Montelbano of the Child Care Council of Nassau who will both answer any questions attendees may have. If interested in attending this or future meetings, contact the Jericho-Syosset-Woodbury Child Care Partnership at 921-3476.