The Ontario Early Years Centre - Haldimand & Norfolk is a community leader, partner and resource, recognized for fostering healthy growth and development in all children, caregivers and families.

The Ontario Early Years Centre is:

• a welcoming place for parents and caregivers
• a place to access information and programs
• a place to have fun with your children
• a place to give children a good start in their education
• a place.... To Play ~ To Learn ~ To Grow!

The Ontario Early Years Centre - Haldimand & Norfolk is also a place where parents and caregivers can get answers to questions, and have an opportunity to talk to early years professionals, as well as other parents and caregivers in locations throughout Haldimand Norfolk. 
For a full listing of programs, click on the Your Guide logo or check where we are in your community and when we are open on our locations page.

Programming focuses on early learning and literacy.

Parents/Caregivers and children can go to:

Play and Learn: A drop-in program for parents and caregivers to attend with their children. No child is too young. At Play and Learn children can play with toys, paint, and enjoy stories, songs and make new friends. Parents can receive information, resources and support. The programs are based on Learning through Play which research tells us is the best way for children to learn.

Daddy and Me: Drop in program to have some extra play time with your children.  If you are a dad, grandpa, uncle or 'pecial big guy' this means you!

Ladies Night Out: Ladies, this night is for you. Come and share your ideas on what you would like to learn, make or create.

Infant Massage: Program designed to teach parents how to massage their babies for the purpose of nurturing, bonding, and relaxation. Massage has been found helpful to relieve gas and colic in some babies. Other benefits of massage are explored during the workshop series.

Parent-Child Mother Goose: Together we will focus on the pleasure and power of rhymes, songs, and stories.  This is an interactive program for parents and their infants that encourages Early Literacy and Language.

Family Math: A fun, hands-on program for parents, caregivers and their children aged 3-6. The program is based on the Junior Kindergarten (JK) Senior Kindergarten (SK) Ontario curriculum. Come and explore math with your children and have fun while doing it!

Jiggle & Jump: Offered at a local Church, lots of room to run and play! Join us for fun activities like running tumbling, hoola hoops and balls.  Lots of movement, please dress to be active. Indoor shoes required.

Field Trips: Come join us as we meet the people in our community, visit the library; police station; fire station; post office; local farms; grocery stores; restaurants; fairs; parks and much more!

Baby Picasso/Toddler Art Works: Little ones explore art and creative mediums with their parents. Learn about the benefits of early stimulation and sensory experiences. Messy babies at play!

The staff at the Ontario Early Years Centre offer workshops for parents and professionals. Workshops vary from season to season so keep an eye on  "Your Guide" to see what is currently available. Some of the most popular workshops are:

Common Sense Parenting and 1 2 3 4 Parents: Practical training programs that gives parents effective discipline skills and help them to be more positive with their young children.

Kindergarten Readiness and Kindergarten Here I Come!: These workshops help parents and children get ready for the big step to school.

Parent Workshops: Other workshops include sleep, toilet learning, nutrition, ages and stages, value of play, safety, creative experiences with infants, brain development etc.

The Ontario Early Years Centre offers workshops for professionals, including:

Seasonal Make and Takes: Create new file folder games and activities to use with the children in your programs. Good for updating your resources.

Ellison Die Press Training: Learn how to use the die press machines to their maximum potential to create exciting new resources, games and activities for your program.

Raising the Bar: Keep an eye on the Professional Education Calendar for a current list of workshops you might find interesting and meets your needs for "Raising the Bar."  Come celebrate with us at the Early Childhood Educators Appreciation Dinner.

Other Services:

Resource Room: Simcoe and Caledonia sites have a laminator, die press, bookbinder, colour photocopier and resources for professionals and parents which can be used for a small fee.

Parent Info Line: Information line for questions about child development, nutrition, sleep, etc. Calls for referrals for Preschool Speech and Language Programs are taken by calling this line. This is not a crisis line.

Child Care Registry : Parents can get information about local unlicensed and licensed child care settings.  See our child care registry for steps in finding quality child care options, age groups, tips and screening tools. 
Other Resources: Quiet Times

Caregiver Network: Caregivers can advertise in the caregiver registry and attend Home Child Care Network Meetings, which are held monthly (Sept-June).  Click for more information on Home Child Care Network or see the Professional Education Calendar

For steps in finding quality child care options, age groups, tips and screening tools
see the Ministry of Education website.

Toy and Resource Lending: Visitors can borrow learning materials, games, resource kits, and books for their children and themselves.  Click for more details of our Parent and Professional Resource Lending.

The Ontario Early Years Centre is a place for you to connect with other professionals who work with children.

Well Baby and Breastfeeding Drop -In: An excellent support and resource for parents of infants and toddlers. Have your baby weighed and measured. Talk with a Public Health Nurse about breastfeeding, infant and child concerns. Meet your Early Years facilitator and have your questions answered.  In partnership with Haldiman Norfolk Health Unit

Post Partum Adjustment Support Group: New baby? There are so many transitions to adjust to in the first year. Come in and share with other parents who can understand and ask a professional all your questions. Limited Child Care available.  In partnership with Haldimand Norfolk Health Unit and Canadian Mental Health Association - Haldimand Norfolk Branch.

The Ontario Early Years team can provide information on parenting and
community resources. Together we give both formal and informal support.

Speech & Language: The Speech & Language Pathologist visits to share information and answer questions about your child's speech.

Dental Screening: The dental hygienist will be visiting our sites to do dental checks.  Come in to get your new toothbrush!  Receive information about dental health programs and funding.  In partnership with Haldimand Norfolk Health Unit.

1 2 3 Look at Me Screening Clinic: In a 45 minute session, you will have the opportunity to discuss your child's development with a professional.  Your child will receive a brief developmental screen and recommendations relevant to your concerns. In partnership with Haldimand Norfolk REACH

Car Seat Clinics: Is your child's car seat installed correctly? Trained car seat technicians will educate, demonstrate and help you make your child as safe as possible in your vehicle. In partnership with the Please Be Seated Committee.

Am I eligible?
If you have a child or care for a child from birth to 12 years of age you are welcome! The Counties of Haldimand and Norfolk provide extra funding to the OEYC so that children up to age 12 may also attend the programs.

Is there a cost for any of these services?
All programs are FREE. Parenting programs and workshops are also free.  There may be a small charge for materials and supplies. Subsidies may be available upon request.

Resource and Equipment Room memberships are available for a cost of $20.00/year or a day pass for $5.00. Supplies such as materials for the die press, photocopies and laminating can be purchased for an additional cost.

How do I access or find out more about these programs?
Referrals are not necessary.  Click the Your Guide logo for a full list of our programs, locations and opening hours.