Vision Statement:
To be leaders in the field of Early Learning, ensuring that every child, family, caregiver and educator has access to caring, innovative and socially responsible OCDSB early years environments;
Mission Statement:
To support a culture of lifelong learning, in collaboration with school and community partners, through safe, inclusive, diverse, and evolving early years programs that foster the unique potential of every child and their caring adults.
Welcome to the OCDSB EarlyON Child and Family Centres
All Are Welcome Here: All Ontario families and caregivers with children from birth to age six are welcome at an OCDSB EarlyON drop-in playgroup. The EarlyON team strives to provide a warm and nurturing environment that reflects families and the diverse needs of the community. The centres provide safe and predictable early learning environments which foster adult-child engagement and children’s development in collaboration with the broader early years community. Each program follows a flexible daily schedule to support children and families with age-appropriate routines and responsive programming, strengthening home-school relationships as well as supporting the continuum of learning. The program is guided by the provincial early years pedagogy How Does Learning Happen? and focuses on
learning and development through relationships; particularly cultivating relationships between children, families and educators to develop a sense of belonging, well being, engagement and expression.
The Ministry of Education has identified three mandatory core services to be available to children and families across Ontario. OCDSB EarlyON Child and Family Centres intentionally create spaces that deliver these services by contributing to learning and development, support and engagement, and making connections and referrals.
Supporting Early Learning and Development
OCDSB EarlyON Centres operate high quality, inquiry based drop-in playgroups staffed by qualified Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECE) and Early Years Professionals that promote optimal child development, encourage children’s exploration and build responsive adult-child relationships. There is a shared view of children, parents and caregivers as competent, capable, curious, and rich in experiences.
Engaging Parents and Caregivers
OCDSB EarlyON Centres offer conversations, observations and inquiries in small groups or individual formats to enhance parents’ and caregivers’ well-being and support them in their role as the child’s first teacher. There is a shared view that program facilitators are co-learners and work in partnership alongside children, their families and their community.
Making Connections for Families
OCDSB EarlyON Centres make introductions between families, provide current multilingual resources, maintain relationships with varied community agencies to provide detailed knowledge of community services, and provide support while accessing such services, including warm handoffs when necessary. There is a shared view that supporting families within their community is most effective.