EarlyON
EarlyON CHILD AND FAMILY CENTRE
At our main location (240 Centrum Blvd.), numbers will be distributed at 9:20 a.m. only. For your child’s well-being, we strongly recommend arriving at 9:30 a.m. in order to avoid an extended wait before playgroup starts.
EarlyON Child and Family Centres offer free, high-quality programs for families and children from birth to 6 years old. You can learn and play with your child, meet people and get advice from early childhood professionals.
EarlyON Centres are open to all families in Ontario. They’re welcoming places that offer a range of services and resources, where you can:
Join fun activities such as reading, storytelling, sing-alongs and games
Get advice from professionals trained in early childhood development
Find out about other family services in your community
Connect with other families with young children
Please note that the morning playgroups at our main Centre operate on a first-come, first-served basis, with a maximum of 35 participants.
DID YOU KNOW?
The EarlyON Centre provides a free Toy Lending Library service. Resources available for lending include toys, games, and puzzles for children under 6. We have a large variety of toys for all interests!
You can make an appointment with one of your Family Resource Worker to discuss different topics. We can support you in your role as a parent or caregiver with anything concerning your children aged 6 and under, such as ideas of activities for your children, behaviour, discipline, toilet learning, research of community services, etc. We are here for you!
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS & CALENDAR
Dear families and caregivers,
Starting this month, Wednesday mornings will move back indoors at the Cumberland Arena and become an Active Playgroup.
We’re excited to offer new Bilingual Playgroups on Wednesday (except the last Wednesday of each month) & Thursday mornings at our main location (240 Centrum Blvd.). These new groups are made possible with extra funding and will run until the end of December 2025.
We’re equally thrilled to welcome Mira back to our team to support these new playgroups!
We are also introducing drop-in hours for our Toy Lending Library. This means you will not need an appointment during these times:
Monday: 11:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Thursday: 3:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday: 11:00 – 11:30 a.m.
3rd Tuesday of every month: 4:00 – 4:30 p.m.
***Schedule may change; see closures below. ***
Centre closures this month:
Monday, October 6 – Staff retreat
Saturday, October 11 and Monday, October 13 – Holiday closures
We look forward to seeing you and your family this month!
- Dominik, Gabrielle & Zoée
FRIENDLY REMINDERS!
We ask you not to participate if you or your child has any flu/cold/gastro symptoms.
When the EarlyON playgroup is full, we will:
Have a sign in the window beside the front door.
Post a message on our Facebook page.
Our morning playgroups at our main location have a maximum capacity of 35 people.
Our Friday Adapted Sensory Playgroup is for families with children with particular needs. Therefore, the ratio will be reduced from 35 to 25. Please note, this playgroup is by registration or drop-in. Registration opens every Friday at 7:00 a.m., but spots are always available for drop-ins.
If your child is neurotypical, please consider attending our other playgroups throughout the week.
Online Registration is ONLY required for Special Activities and Virtual Programming
First Words is the Preschool Speech and Language Program of Ottawa and Renfrew County. We support families of preschool children of Ottawa and Renfrew County to reach their optimal communication development by providing free speech and language services. Our goal is to facilitate increased awareness, prevention, early identification, and intervention for early speech, language, and overall communication development in young children of Ottawa and Renfrew County.
PARENTING IN OTTAWA / BABY WEIGH-IN
During Parenting in Ottawa Drop-ins, parents can weigh their baby and speak, in person, with a Public Health Nurse :
Parenting
Get support for infant feeding
Learn ways to help your child eat healthy and be active
Make sure your child is on track with their growth and development
Ask about your child’s social and emotional development
The program is available to:
Expectant parents, parents and guardians of children aged birth to four years of age.
No appointment is necessary, first come first serve.
MFS (MILITARY FAMILY SERVICES)
Parents / Caregivers with children aged 0-4, please join us for Let’s Have a Playdate!
This is a wonderful opportunity to make connections and share as a community; while gaining information on valuable resources and supports.
- MFS Families can meet once a month in Orléans.
- Wednesday sessions will be led by an MFS NCR staff member.
- Please note we will be closed during July and August.
- Registration required!
Spring & Fall sessions will run from 9:00-11:00 am – dates are for 2025:
- June 18th
- September 24th
- October 29th
- November 26th
- December 17th
CONTACT US!
Dominik Lavictoire
613 830-4357 ext. 303
Gabrielle Caron
613 830-4357 ext. 302
Zoée Perrault
613 830-4357 ext. 304