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EarlyOn Child and Family Centre
PRC’s EarlyON Child and Family Centre playgroups focus is on helping families give their young children the best start in life.
Located in Central East Ottawa (Sandy Hill) our Centre is a welcoming, safe and inclusive space for parents, caregivers and children aged 0 to 6 years old. Our EarlyON Program is staffed by trained Registered Early Childcare Educators (RECE's) and our programs and activities are FREE.
Parents and caregivers are able to access information about services and programs available to them in the community, learn about their children’s development and get answers to their parenting and childcare questions from our experienced Early Childhood Development Specialists.
Your family can visit our Centre to access our range of free services including:
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Drop-in Playgroups: Experience early learning activities and network with other families.
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Information and Referrals: Early Childhood Development Specialists are available on-site to answer your questions or refer you to appropriate resources.
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Learning Opportunities: On parenting, early childhood development, pre & post-natal services, and other related topics.
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Parent Resource Library: Parenting books, resource books and children’s books available to borrow.
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Toy Library: A great variety of toys for children 0 to 6 years available for loan free of charge.
Please refer to our Activity Calendar for more details on our programs and follow us on Eventbrite to see our dates, times and locations for learning opportunities.
All playgroups are open to Ottawa families on a walk-in basis (subject to centre capacity).
Please arrive on time to ensure you have a spot.
Baby Playgroups
Our Babygroups provide a welcoming space for new parents and their infants (0 - 18 months) to connect, play and share their stories while receiving support from an Early Childhood Development Specialist. See our Activity Calendar for dates and times.
Drop-in Playgroups
Our Drop-in groups provide flexible access to our play areas for children (0 to 6 years) accompanied by parents, grandparents, guardians or caregivers. Early Childhood Development Specialists are on-site for support and to answer questions. See our Activity Calendar for dates and times.
Parents Chat & Kids Play
We host parents for micro learning opportunities on Tuesdays from 1:00pm – 3:00pm. Topics vary from baby massage to sleep habits, temperament, early childhood development milestones, nutrition and more. Sessions and can be in-person or virtual. Facilitated by Early Childhood Development Specialists or guest community professionals, we are available to answer your questions. See our Eventbrite listings for date, time and location.
Nature Walks
Our Nature Walks take families to nearby parks in the community. Children (0 to 6 years) accompanied by parents, grandparents, guardians, or caregivers are welcome! Early Childhood Development Specialists are on-site to offer outdoor play-based activities for families and to answer questions. We are out rain or shine, so please dress weather-appropriate! We meet Fridays at 300 Goulburn at 9am.
Toy Lending Library
PRC’s FREE Drop-in Toy Lending Library provides children with the opportunity to bring new and engaging toys home for a two-week period. Our Early Childhood Development Specialists are on-hand to help parents select developmentally and age-appropriate toys for their children at every stage of their early learning. We love seeing the excitement borrowing toys from our Toy Lending Library brings to your children’s faces!
NEW HOURS: Tuesday to Friday from 11:00am – 12:00pm and Saturday from 11:30am-1:00pm.
Parent Resource Library
PRC’s FREE Parent Resource Library has many wonderful resource materials to help families learn and grow together. Our resources for parents include books and materials on early childhood development, parenting, self-regulation and emotions, baby sign language, self-care, yoga, family health, potty training, and so much more. We also have a selection of resources available in French and Arabic.
NEW HOURS: Tuesday to Friday from 11:00am – 12:00pm and Saturday from 11:30-1:00pm.