EarlyON Child and Family Centre
In-Person Programs (external link)
Drop-in hours are operated from a first come, first served model. Once the room capacity is full, we are unable to permit additional families into the space. This includes both indoor and outdoor programs.
It is cold, flu and respiratory illness season, so please continue to follow all (PDF file) City of Toronto Public Health (external link) self-screening recommendations. Thank you for ensuring our staff, children and community members stay healthy by adhering to the City of Toronto's Public Health protocols.
Location: Please enter through our new and more accessible entrance at 379 Victoria Street, Toronto ON M5B 1W7
Classroom: Kerr Hall West (KHW) 167
Telephone #: 416-979-5000 ext. 554134
Special Note:
October Calendar of Events (external link) (external link)
November Calendar of Events (external link)
December Calendar of Events (external link)
Special Announcements:
1. We will be closed on Friday October 11th for a Professional Development Day, Saturday, October 12 &
Monday, October 14th for Thanksgiving.
2. We will be closed for a winter break from Saturday December 21st 2024 to Saturday January 4th, 2025.
3. We will be welcoming families after the winter break on Monday January 6, 2025.
Indoor Drop-In Free Play
Our Drop-in Free Play will have both adults and children (birth-six years of age) singing, playing games, creating art and moving our bodies together through dance and rhythm. Activities are both planned and spontaneous, giving children and caregivers an opportunity to connect with each other and share ideas. Come follow your child’s lead with us as we explore new activities, create special moments, and much more!
Days & Times
Monday 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Thursday 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Outdoor Drop-In Free Play
Our Outdoor Drop-in Free Play will have both adults and children (birth-six years of age) running and jumping, playing games, exploring the natural elements of sand and water, and moving our bodies in a welcoming space filled with many natural elements such as trees, rocks, and our garden. Activities are both planned and spontaneous, giving children and caregivers an opportunity to connect with each other and share ideas. Come explore our nature based playground with your child, and enjoy our very own paradise in the core of downtown.
Days & Time
Wednesday 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Thursday 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Fun in the Park - Allan Gardens
Come and enjoy the fresh and beautiful outdoors while we visit the playground at Allan Gardens - located at the corner of Gerrard St & Jarvis St, right next to the Botanical Gardens. Enjoy the comfort of the enclosed playground as you and your children delight in the large sand area (with water, when weather-appropriate), the swings, climbers and slides, all while surrounded by beautiful gardens. This is a rain or shine program, so please come prepared for the day’s weather.
Days & Time
Tuesday 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
Baby & Me: Infant & Cargiver (Birth to 18 Months)
You and your baby will explore different movements together through a combination of tummy time, baby massage, singing, and soothing touch. This program brings the baby and caregiver together for quiet and active experiences by having fun with music and movement that fosters a bond of trust and playfulness. We will also have discussions on infant health, nutrition, child development, and welcome other topics, in this safe environment.
Day & Time
Thursday 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
Baking Club
Get ready to Bake! Come join our Baking Club where you and your child will have fun learning about measuring, mixing, stirring and baking together. Every 2 weeks we offer a different recipe that will ignite your senses as you explore different ingredients, tastes, and textures with your child. Baking essentials are provided, and at the end of the program, you will be sent home with a delicious freshly baked treat. Sharing recipes is greatly encouraged
Day & Time
Tuesday 2:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Our Image of Children & Families
At the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) EarlyON Child & Family Centre, we believe that children should define for themselves who they are and want to be in this world. Our aspiration is for children to understand their role as citizens with rights and responsibilities and to provide experiences that promote, foster, and support children's self-identity, freedom of expression, and confidence to articulate their wants, needs, and strengths to others.
TMU EarlyON Child & Family Centre offers free, early learning experiences for children between the ages of birth to six years and family engagement opportunities that are guided by a children's “rights-integrative approach” (Di Santo & Kenneally, 2014, p. 395) and grounded in current research, theories and practices. We are committed to creating opportunities for children to make their own choices, explore materials and to provide families and caregivers with resources, support and opportunities to engage in their community.
Our EarlyON Child & Family Centre is a place for families to gather, explore, engage with others and have access to resources that will support the development of their child’s sense of belonging, identity, dispositions and independence.
The Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs) and staff are alert to where children are in the present moment and where the children might want to go next by creating an environment that promotes integrative learning and that offers opportunities to expand children's knowledge and interests. Our team of educators foster caring relationships that impart reciprocal inquiry, information sharing and conversations between and amongst the children and caregivers.
Our team achieve these intentions of co-constructing knowledge and planning together with children and families by:
- Cultivating an environment of collaboration with families, children, and the community.
- Providing opportunities for sensorial experiences that reflect the children's curiosity and inquisitive nature.
- Providing an inclusive, equitable and accessible environment.
- Fostering healthy, positive relationships and experiences where children and families feel included in the program and are represented in the space.
- Participating in research and collaborating with researchers to inform our practice.
- Participating in annual professional learning opportunities, connecting with other professionals in the field, and exploring innovative approaches to early learning and family support.
Di Santo, A. & Kenneally, N. (2014). A call for a shift in thinking: Viewing children as rights-holders in early childhood curriculum frameworks. Childhood Education, 90(6), 395-406.
ANNOUNCEMENT
The EarlyON will be CLOSED the following days:
Victoria Day Holiday: Saturday May 18, 2024 & Monday May 20, 2024
Canada Day Holiday: Saturday June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2024
TMU & Civic Holiday: Friday August 2, 2024, Saturday August 3, 2024, & Monday August 5, 2024
Labour Day Holiday: Saturday August 30, 2024 & Monday September 2, 2024
Thanksgiving Holiday: Saturday October 12, 2024 & Monday October 14, 2024
Winter Break: Saturday December 21, 2024 - Saturday January 4, 2025 (inclusive)
E-Newsletter
Toronto Metropolitan University EarlyON Child & Family Centre distributes weekly newsletters by email. These e-newsletters provide information about our current events and how to registration. Additionally, we offer information, news and resources about upcoming events in your community and early learning resources. If you are interested in subscribing, please subscribe here. (external link)