EarlyON Child and Family Centres

Health and safety update on EarlyON programs in York Region

Effective March 21, 2022, the following health and safety changes outlined by the Province of Ontario will take effect in EarlyON Child and Family Programs in York Region. The use of masks and physical distancing will no longer be required. All individuals entering EarlyON program premises must continue to self-screen before attending the program using the COVID 19 school and child care screening tool. EarlyON programs are encouraged to offer a variety of programs, including indoor, outdoor and virtual, where possible, so that all children and families can continue to access programs where they are most comfortable.

New accessible platform to register for EarlyON programs – now available!

We are pleased to introduce the new online registration platform for EarlyON Child and Family Programs. The benefits of the platform include:

A one-stop shop for all EarlyON programs across York Region
One-time process for entering family information
Easily manage your registrations in one place
Consistent process for all EarlyON programs across York Region
Simple check-in and check-out process from your own device
Access to all EarlyON program calendars in York Region

If you are planning to join any EarlyON programs in York Region, please use this step-by-step guide or video to set up your account and register for any EarlyON program.

To view the available programs across York Region, you will need to create an account on the Children's Services Portal.

After the account is created, you can view available programs and register to attend any EarlyON program in York Region. The EarlyON program calendar is updated every third Friday of the month for new pre-registration, drop-in and virtual programs.

EarlyON Child and Family Programs

EarlyON Child and Family Centres (EarlyON centres) offer free support services and programs to parents, caregivers, and their children from birth to six years old in Ontario.

EarlyON programs are delivered through permanent centres and mobile sites (such as local libraries, community centres and parks, schools) and are operated by four agencies.

EarlyON programs are high-quality, inclusive, welcoming places where qualified Early Childhood Professionals help families and caregivers:

Make personal connections and access a network of resources
Find supports
Get advice
Attend drop-in programs, storytelling, sing-alongs, games and many more activities

Families and caregivers may attend any EarlyON program across York Region.

York Region is expanding and enhancing local EarlyON programs to areas of demand to ensure services are high-quality, inclusive, accessible, responsive and welcoming for all children and their families. As we monitor the ongoing COVID-19 situation, we will continue to offer virtual programming and resources.

If you would like more information about EarlyON programs in York Region or have any questions or comments, please send an email to @email

Find an EarlyON Child and Family Centre near you

EarlyON Program Calendars and Locations

All nine cities and towns in York Region have EarlyON programs that you and your child can enjoy. There are more than 70 EarlyON programs locations across York Region consisting of 10 centres and more than 60 mobile sites. Search for child care centres and family drop-in programs in York Region using our Early Years Program Finder tool.

To view all available and upcoming EarlyON programs in York Region, please click on the EarlyON calendar. The EarlyON program calendar is updated every third Friday of the month for new pre-registration, drop-in and virtual programs.

To learn more about EarlyON programs in your area, please visit the website listed below your local municipality.

Town of Aurora

Aurora Centre (and mobile sites)
40 Engelhard Drive, Unit 1, Aurora ON L4G 6X6
Telephone: 1-866-404-2077 ext. 217
Email: @email
Calendar

Town of East Gwillimbury

For information about mobile sites in East Gwillimbury, contact the Newmarket Centre.

Town of Georgina

Keswick Centre (and mobile sites)
70 Biscayne Boulevard, Georgina ON L4P 3M8
Telephone: 905-476-3834
Email: @email
Calendar

Township of King

King Centre
15 Old King Road, King ON L0G 1N0
Telephone: 905-859-9941
Email: @email
Calendar

City of Markham

Markham Centre (and mobile sites)
3990 14th Avenue, Markham ON L3R 0B2
Telephone: 905-479-0002
Email: @email
Calendar

Markham East Centre (and mobile sites)
40 Washington Street, Markham ON L3P 2R5
Telephone: 905-471-1620
Email: @email
Calendar

More mobile sites

Town of Newmarket

Newmarket Centre (and mobile sites)
17310 Yonge Street, Unit 6, Newmarket ON L3Y 7R8
Telephone: 905-853-0754
Email: @email
Calendar

City of Richmond Hill

Richmond Hill Centre (and mobile sites)
10610 Bayview Avenue, Unit 9, Richmond Hill ON L4C 3N8
Telephone: 905-883-6901
Email: @email
Calendar

City of Vaughan

Thornhill Centre (and mobile sites)
7755 Bayview Avenue, Vaughan ON L3T 4P1
Telephone: 905-709-6159
Email: @email
Calendar

Woodbridge Centre (and mobile sites)
140 Woodbridge Avenue, Unit E-400, Vaughan ON L4L 4K9
Telephone: 1-866-404-2077 ext. 215
Email: @email
Calendar

Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville

Stouffville Centre (and mobile sites)
5892 Main Street, Stouffville, Unit 304, L4A 1T2
Telephone: (289) 612-1777
Email: @email
Calendar

York Region is now offering in-person and virtual EarlyON programs in French at the following locations:

City of Markham

On y va Markham
École catholique Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys
Lundi et mardi de 8h30 à 16h30
111 John Button Boulevard, ON, L3R, 9C1
Email: [email protected]

Village of Kleinburg

On y va Kleinburg
École élémentaire La Fontaine
Mercredi et jeudi de 8h30 à 16h30
10110 Islington avenue, ON, Woodbridge, L4H 3N5
Email: [email protected]

Community Engagement

As the Service System Manager, York Region is responsible for the oversight and accountability of EarlyON centres in York Region. It is important that EarlyON centres provide quality programs and services that meet the unique needs of our communities while ensuring that they are delivered in an efficient manner.

In 2018, the Region gathered valuable feedback through community engagement sessions to help inform ongoing planning and development of EarlyON centres. To learn more about what we heard and next steps for EarlyON centres in York Region, read the Community Engagement Summary Report.

The EarlyON Journey

York Region has taken a phased approach to integrate provincially-funded child and family programs.

2016

Province announced:
- The transformation of child and family programs funded by the Ministry of Education to Ontario Early Years Child and Family Centres
- York Region is responsible for the management of newly-created Ontario Early Years Child and Family Centres
York Region launched local needs assessment and working groups to develop a made-in-York Region plan

2017

York Regional Council was updated on the Ontario Early Years Child and Family Centre Provincial Initiative
Province of Ontario released Renewed Early Years and Child Care Policy Framework
The Canada-Ontario Early Learning and Child Care Agreement was announced
York Region sought input from parents/caregivers and community partners on the creation of the centres
York Region submitted Transforming Early Years Programs and Services initial plan to the Ministry of Education (September 2017)
Province of Ontario renamed Ontario Early Years Child and Family Centres to EarlyON Child and Family Centres (October 2017)
York Regional Council approved financial oversight for EarlyON centres (November 2017)

2018

Transition year
Starting in January 2018, Ontario Early Years Centres became EarlyON Child and Family Centres
York Region became responsible for the management of EarlyON centres and programs in York Region on January 1, 2018. This initiative is part of the Ministry of Education’s journey towards evolving and integrating early years programs and services in Ontario.
York Region sought input from parents/caregivers and community partners on the creation of the centres
York Region submitted a progress update report to the Ministry of Education (August 2018)
York Region expanded EarlyON centres locations and hours of operation to meet the needs of our communities
York Region published its Community Engagement Summary Report

2019

All EarlyON centres meet the core program requirements
Ongoing operations and expansion
To help create consistency in early years programs, many All Our Kids (AOK) Early Child Development and Parenting Programs transitioned to EarlyON programs
Opening of York Region’s first francophone EarlyON centre in the City of Markham

2020

Development of customized community connections
Creation of a quality assurance framework
Engagement consultations with EarlyON partner agencies to start the development of a Quality Assurance Framework
Service delivery transition – offering a variety of indoor, outdoor and virtual programming

The Regional Municipality of York acknowledges the contributions made by the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada.

Data Reports

EarlyON Service Delivery Review Parent and Caregiver Survey - 2021 Findings Report

From July 14 to August 22, 2021, York Region conducted an EarlyON Service Delivery Review Parent and Caregiver Survey to learn more about the diverse needs of families with young children and inform the planning of EarlyON programs in York Region during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings in the 2021 report will ensure programs and services are responsive to the needs of local communities and promote the inclusion of all families.

A Profile of Children in York Region

A Profile of Children in York Region includes information on children from birth to age 12 and their families, and shows how our communities are changing by looking at population, languages spoken, income and program data.

Early Development Instrument

The Early Development Instrument (EDI) assesses early learning and developmental health of a community’s young children. It reflects developmental outcomes and milestones achieved during the first five years of life in the context of early childhood experiences. The results are analysed for 64 neighbourhoods in York Region, as well as at the regional level in this 2018 report.

Early Years Community Profiles

The Early Years Community Profiles tool is a resource designed to support program, service and policy planning for young children and their families at the neighbourhood level in York Region.

Quality Assurance Framework

York Region is in the process of developing a quality assurance framework that will guide the day-to-day delivery of EarlyON programs and services to ensure they are responsive and reflective of the communities they serve. This framework will provide the foundation for consistent program quality throughout the Region. It will be used to guide EarlyON Child and Family programs in demonstrating accountability and commitment to continually improve outcomes for children and families, while ensuring mandatory core services are met

Training and Supports for Early Learning and Child Care Professionals

Professionals working in EarlyON Child and Family programs can participate in various capacity building and training opportunities offered by York Region to support ongoing professional development and training. This includes specific training for professionals working in EarlyON Child and Family programs and training offered to all early learning and child care professionals across York Region.

To learn more about these opportunities and to register, please visit the Early Learning and Child Care Professional Development registration page.

EarlyON Resources

Resources and Supports for families

Resources and activities for Family Literacy Day on January 27

Family Literacy Day takes place every January to raise awareness about the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related experiences as a family. This year’s theme is “Celebrate your Heritage,” to help build strong literacy skills for both adults and children, and strengthen family bonds. Read about some of the benefits of learning about your heritage together as family.

Free Family Literacy Day resources and activities are available at the ABC Life Literacy Canada website for families to download and share.

Free York Region EarlyON Family Literacy Day celebration

York Region EarlyON Child and Family Programs is hosting a special virtual Family Literacy Day Celebration! This will be an opportunity for families to engage in interactive songs, rhymes, stories and games to expand your child’s learning and find new ideas to explore at home.

This event will feature Canadian author and illustrator Barbara Reid. From her studio, Barbara will share some of her books and talk about where the ideas come from, and present a slide show illustrating the process of creating her new book This will be followed by a Q&A with Barbara.

This free virtual celebration is for parent and caregivers with children from birth to six years old. The event takes place virtually on Friday, January 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. over Zoom. Click here to pre-register; once you have registered, you will receive an email confirmation with a link to join the virtual session.

To register for free Family Literacy Day activities and programs at your local EarlyON agency, visit the EarlyON calendar.

Free virtual programs for parents

EarlyON agencies will be offering free Fear-Less Triple P parenting programs to help anxious children and their parents, beginning in May 2021, to families with children ages two to six. These programs will introduce parents and caregivers to key strategies that help children manage anxiety. Parents will learn how anxiety works and ways to help their child develop coping skills to successfully manage anxious behaviours.

Fear-Less Triple P will be offered virtually to parents as a series of small group or individual parenting sessions.

Visit your local EarlyON agency’s website to register.

Telephone support for families

Thanks to a new collaboration between York Region Early Intervention Services and EarlyON agencies, parents can now speak with an early years professional over the phone about suggestions and strategies to help them with things like: