PARENTCARE is an Education for Parenting program created to implement the results of research in infant and child development, thereby helping to nurture your vocation of raising the baby to live in harmony with God, self, and others.  It enriches your awareness of way to promote optimal development of your baby's God-given capabilities.  Information regarding physical and intellectual growth has been generally available to our society.  The spiritual, emotional and social needs of little ones are lesser known to folks outside the research universities.  PARENTCARE groups offer you the opportunity to explore these needs and build a solid skill foundation for lifelong self-esteem in your child.  Parents say they really enjoy it, too!

Parents come for a variety of reasons.   Some want to meet other new parents in the parish; some want the child to socialize with other toddlers.  We are confident that, when you participate, your child will be blessed through your up to date knowledge of the spiritual, emotional and social needs of infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers.  An educated response to your baby's signals will empower you to prevent or lessen the impact of developmental problems.  It is enriching and stimulating to discuss your concerns with other parents who share your values and faith in God.  As the most important educators your child will ever have, you will learn effective ways to meet parenting challenges before stressful situations become overwhelming.  Caring for your child will be even more interesting and rewarding when you know the underlying reasons for different behaviors.  You will discover that the satisfactions of parenting deepen and broaden with learning and sharing about emotional and spiritual needs.  You'll become increasingly aware of how your parent/child relationship is the agent for the little one's relationship with God, particularly in the years prior to age three.

The costs includes the parents' program, the playteachers/babysitters who supervise the children's play in the same room with parents so that adults can attend to discussion, craft materials, use of toys, snack for the children and coffee/tea for parents. 

For members of the Parish who are registered and use envelopes at Mass to contribute to the support of the Parish [and thereby help to underwrite this and all our other programs] the tuition averages out to $7.00 a week, payable three times a year during each tri-mester.   For others who wish to join and do not financially support this Parish because you do not use envelopes at Mass, are a member somewhere else, or not at any church, we ask an additional once yearly registration fee of $10, for which you will be billed.   Financial {confidential} aid is available for any family needing it to belong to a group.  We don't want money to keep away some parent who really wants to attend, but cannot afford the fee.  Please speak to the Director Eileen Murphy privately or on the phone (914-962-5050)

Pre-registration is always requested.  At some meetings there would not be enough babysitters if too many new children arrived unannounced.  The children will fare better playing the first time in a strange setting if we are ready for them.   Infants always remain with their parents, not in the playgroup.  We ask that you call Eileen Murphy to arrange a complimentary visit.  That way you can assess your interest in the program before you decide whether to sign-up.  You can register after the free visit.