The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Discover New Castle

Child Care Support in New Castle

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This area offers places and people who bring peace of mind to busy working parents who may not have their own sitter, or who may need additional care for their child or children. Here are a few affordable options that many in the community rely on and value enormously.

Chappaqua Children’s Workshop (CCW)

CCW provides an exciting educational experience for children before and after school in the Chappaqua School District. The educational programming is geared to helping each child gain confidence, independence, and a positive self-image. CCW serves children from elementary schools: Grafflin, Roaring Brook and Westorchard (additional separate programs available for middle school students). ccwkids.org

Mount Kisco Child Care Center (MKCCC)

Established in 1971, MKCCC provides high quality, affordable care and early education to a diverse group of children in a safe and healthy environment. MKCCC, a non-profit organization, cares daily for 145 children, ages three months to 11 years in a modern, state-of-the-art facility. An 8-week, full-day summer camp is offered for school-aged children in Kindergarten–5th Grade. MKCCC’s award winning curriculum includes a Feed Me Fresh garden-to-table nutritional program and intergenerational programming with My Second Home. With over 20,000 square feet of living space, the Center features growth and learning opportunities in a cozy setting with the warmth and security of home. In addition, 7,500 square feet of outdoor play space is perfect for everything from picnics to gardening. mkccc.org.

Oak Lane Child Care Center

Year-round, full-day program founded in 1972 by a group of working parents from the Pleasantville Cottage School. The organization began as a community of families and staff working together to create the best environment for the children, and officially opened in Chappaqua in 1982. Oak Lane offers four classes in its Center. The Toddler classroom accommodates children who range in age from 18 months to 3 years. In three Pre-K classrooms–two for children between the ages of three and four, and one for children four-turning-five. Nutritious meal plan provided by our on-site chef. oaklaneccc.org

A Note about PRESCHOOL and KINDERGARTEN

Many move to Chappaqua with their youngest in tow, or soon to be in tow, seeking excellent preschool options too. Prior to elementary school, the district offers full day kindergarten. Fortunately, quality preschool choices abound too from the many programs found in area houses of worship to private and not for profit options. Be sure to schedule visits and meet with the preschool director and take a tour to find the best fit for your child and for your family.

Descriptions above courtesy of respective organizations mentioned.

About World Cup Schools

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Since the early 1990’s, World Cup Nursery School & Kindergarten has been recognized as the premier early childhood education facility in Westchester County, NY and World Cup Gymnastics is one of the most revered gymnastics program in the state. In addition, World Cup U4Kids offers quality afterschool programs for children in Kindergarten through 5th grade. With over 25 years of experience in working with young children combined with World Cup’s knowledge of their unique strengths and interests has given the staff there the tools to develop programs in which children thrive…and have fun at the same time. World Cup provides the foundation for children’s future success in learning and serves as the cornerstone for promoting their physical well-being. worldcupgymnastics.com and worldcupnurseryschool.com.

Courtesy of World Cup Nursery School & Kindergarten, Discover New Castle Sponsor

Millwood and West End: Nature, Fitness and Great Shopping, too

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By Marianne Campolongo

The hamlet of Millwood, which just celebrated its 200th Anniversary in 2018, boasts extensive shopping, many choices for both casual and fine dining, and New Castle’s largest and most popular year-round recreation area, the 126-acre Gedney Park, which offers fun and memory making opportunities for the entire family.

Every April, Gedney Pond is stocked with over 500 rainbow, brook and golden trout for fishing throughout the spring, summer and fall. There’s even an annual fishing derby, where anglers age six to 60+ can catch their own dinner and compete for prizes. Come winter, you will find the best sledding hill in town there, and if you don’t have a sled, you can buy one at the large sporting goods store just down the road. There is also a large playground and ballfields. A gazebo and picnic tables interspersed throughout the park are great for snack time or a picnic lunch.

Geese at Gedney. Photo by Grace Bennett
North County Trailway  Photo by Grace Bennett

Four miles of well-marked hiking trails meander through wetlands and woods, providing shade for spring and summer hikes, breathtaking colors when the leaves change in autumn, and a fun trek in snowy winter weather. A handicapped accessible paved path runs from the parking lot to a fishing pier on the pond. The path to the monument remembering those lost on 9/11 is also handicapped accessible. A ceremony to remember the three town residents as well as all the others lost that day is held there each year.

The park is also dog-friendly, allowing your furry friends to be off-leash along the trails and to even swim in the pond and streams during designated morning hours; they are permitted on-leash at all times.

Photo by Grace Bennett

The 22-mile North County Trailway runs through Millwood providing a safe and scenic paved path where you will often find friends biking, roller blading or strolling, and see New Castle’s bicycle cops making sure no stragglers need help. A portion of the path runs parallel to Millwood Plaza, a shopping center anchored by the new family-owned DeCicco & Sons grocery store. You can also do your banking, pick up prescriptions or sunscreen, toys and gifts, wine, stop for lunch, or get your nails done there. Millwood also has its own post office in that convenient location. A short walk around the corner brings you to Millwood Town Plaza with an eco-friendly cleaners, jeweler, specialty foods store, a spa and hair salon, and fine dining options.

Across the street, Millwood Park has tennis courts and more ballfields, conveniently located near a family-owned deli, which has been serving customers throughout the area since 1961; other stores and businesses in the hamlet have been run by the same families for 40 years or more.

A lumberyard, hardware store and garden center are a boon for all you DIYers. Whether or not you are an experienced gardener, you can join a team at the InterGenerate Community Garden to grow vegetables for yourself and for those who cannot afford fresh produce.

Want someone to do the work for you? It’s easy to find a plumber, veterinarian, tech center, movers, a limo service, and other business in Millwood as well as the nearby West End neighborhood. For those lucky enough to live in the Hidden Hollow neighborhood, there is a sandy beach and swimming pond for its residents. In the West End of town, beautiful Stillwater Lake offers swimming and boating for neighborhood residents. Additional recreation choices in the West End include ballfields at Amsterdam Park, hiking and cross-country skiing at Sunny Ridge Preserve, and the Hudson Hills Golf Course, a public course high in the hills with lovely scenic views.

Across the street, Millwood Park has tennis courts and more ballfields, conveniently located near a family-owned deli, which has been serving customers throughout the area since 1961; other stores and businesses in the hamlet have been run by the same families for 40 years or more.

A lumberyard, hardware store and garden center are a boon for all you DIYers. Whether or not you are an experienced gardener, you can join a team at the InterGenerate Community Garden to grow vegetables for yourself and for those who cannot afford fresh produce.

Want someone to do the work for you? It’s easy to find a plumber, veterinarian, tech center, movers, a limo service, and other business in Millwood as well as the nearby West End neighborhood. For those lucky enough to live in the Hidden Hollow neighborhood, there is a sandy beach and swimming pond for its residents. In the West End of town, beautiful Stillwater Lake offers swimming and boating for neighborhood residents. Additional recreation choices in the West End include ballfields at Amsterdam Park, hiking and cross-country skiing at Sunny Ridge Preserve, and the Hudson Hills Golf Course, a public course high in the hills with lovely scenic views.

Discover Chappaqua’s Private Pool Clubs

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Chappaqua boasts four private swim & tennis clubs. The cost to join doesn’t vary too radically–there’s a bond and an annual fee–and all offer rental memberships so prospective members can try them out. Each club welcomes visitors to come and see and consider joining.

Birchwood Swim & Tennis on Quaker Road has been a cherished family club for more than 50 years. Birchwood offers eight Har-Tru tennis courts, large pool and diving well for adults and older children, a children’s pool, ping-pong, playground equipment, expansive open grass field, paddle tennis courts and its own Clubhouse Grill, run by a family of restaurateurs. Each year the club runs a robust swim and dive program and holds summer tennis clinics and camps, as well as adult competitive leagues at all levels. Paddle tennis leagues and events run throughout the winter. birchwoodswimandtennis.com

Chappaqua Swim & Tennis Club is a beautiful, flower-filled club just off Hardscrabble Road with a Division 1 swim team, Red-Cross-certified swim lessons, tennis staff headed by Lukas Beman of Club Fit and an excellent snack bar. There are several paddle tennis courts for winter racket fun and CST holds an annual fundraising swim under the auspices of Swim Across America to raise money to fight cancer. cstclub.com

Seven Bridges Field Club, one of the oldest swim clubs in the area, is a family-oriented, year-round club nestled in a tranquil setting at 160 Seven Bridges Road. Summer fun includes a swim team, barbecues, potluck dinners, frog catching, movie nights, an annual clambake and more. For tennis lovers, there are five Har-Tru courts and private lessons with the pro are available by appointment. Two lighted paddle tennis courts are available throughout the winter months. Seven Bridges does not charge any guest fees. sevenbridgesfieldclub.org

Willowbrook Swim & Tennis Club on Millwood Road in Mount Kisco is one of northern Westchester’s premiere swim and tennis clubs for families. Members can enjoy the large heated pool, deep end for diving, kiddie pool for tots, basketball court and eight Har-Tru tennis courts. The Division 1 swim and dive team offers a fun experience for all. Additionally, club members can golf twice a month at Anglebrook Golf Club, a private club in Lincolndale. willowbrookst.org.

 

Descriptions above, courtesy of respective clubs.

New Castle Sports: Variety and Life Long Memories Available

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For many New Castle families, life revolves around active sports schedules for their children and sometimes, for mom and/or dad, too. Sports participation can be a positive and health enhancing family bonding experience creating cherished memories, new friendships, and lifelong lessons about good sportsmanship. In New Castle, choices abound including baseball/softball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country/track and field, field hockey, football, lacrosse, swim & dive, tennis and volleyball.

Various organizations such as the American Youth Soccer Organization and the Greeley Youth Lacrosse Association are examples of local organizations which support New Castle children and their families engaged in these sports.

American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) – Chappaqua Chapter

The Chappaqua chapter of the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO). Their mission is to develop and deliver a high-quality youth soccer program which enrich the lives of children 4-18 years of age. The program promotes a fun, family environment built on the foundation of their Six Philosophies: everyone plays, balanced teams, open registration, positive coaching, good sportsmanship and player development. Coaches and referees are made up entirely of volunteers. chappaquaayso.org

Greeley Youth Lacrosse Association (GYL)

Greeley Youth Lacrosse is a privately funded youth lacrosse organization whose mission is to provide girls and boys youth lacrosse programs that inspire participation while protecting the integrity of the game and to provide the New Castle community with the opportunity to participate in the game of lacrosse. GYL strives to help players develop their skills in a safe and fun environment while placing higher value on sportsmanship and learning, rather than solely on winning.  Through positive and effective leadership every child has the opportunity to discover, learn, participate and develop a love and passion for the game of Lacrosse. greeleyyouthlacrosse.com

For additional information or resources about youth sports, contact the Chappaqua Central School District or the Town of New Castle Recreation and Parks Department. Town Hall is also an excellent resource for information about adult sports including New Castle’s baseball leagues.