Yes. All programs and services offered through EarlyON Child and Family Centres are free of charge for parents and caregivers of young children under the age of 6 years living in Ontario. If you are a parent or caregiver of a child, up to the age of six, you are welcome at the EarlyON Child and Family Centre in your community.

EarlyON Child and Family Centres are mandated to offer programs and services for children up to the age of six. Staff at the Centres may also help families find information about other community services. While the focus is on the early years, staff may have information about other services, programs and resources for children older than six.

The EarlyON Child and Family Centres employ staff with a range of expertise in early childhood development including trained early years professionals and volunteers.

You will need to bring a pair of indoor shoes for you and your child/children, and a peanut and nut free snack if you wish to have a snack while at playgroup.

No, simply check in at the reception desk upon arrival to get a Playgroup badge.

Yes, it varies by location and activity. The capacity for the drop-in at our Evered Avenue location is 16 children.

No, all of our drop-in programs are free of charge.

You can find our schedule here, at our 475 Evered Avenue location or call us at 613.728.1839 extension 221 and we will email one to you.

Playgroups allow children and their parents/caregivers the opportunity to explore different activities, toys, etc. at their own pace. Our playgroups include an art activity, sensory activities, as well as quiet activities including a book and puzzle area. Children may participate in any or all of these activities throughout the drop-in at their own pace. Children may have snack at any time during the playgroup, as long as they are in the snack area and with a parent/caregiver. At the end of playgroup there is a circle time, which includes songs and stories. Once circle is complete, there is half an hour available for the Toy Lending Library.

Typically playgroups run during bad weather, but in rare instances if the building has been shut down due to severe weather such as an ice storm, etc., there will be no playgroup. You may call us at 613.728.1839 extension 221 if you are unsure. Our summer programs in the park are weather dependent. If it is pouring rain and/or thunderstorms there will be no playgroup in the park. You may call us at 613.728.1839 extension 221 or check our facebook page if you are unsure.

Playgroups are open on the School Board’s PA Days and March Break. Playgroups are closed on statutory and civic holidays. See our Calendar above.

New drop-in schedules are released quarterly. Typically they are released for winter, spring, summer, and autumn.

We offer a weekly Postpartum Support Drop-In, an Infant Drop-In Playgroup, and a specialized playgroup in partnership with Ottawa Children’s Treatment Centre. We also offer an evening drop-in playgroup for male caregivers, family members or friends and their child/children. Breastfeeding Support Drop-ins are also offered, as well as Parenting in Ottawa drop-ins. Once a month we offer Rainbow Families Art and Play Afternoon in partnership with Family Services Ottawa.