Welcome to the web site of the Ontario Early Years Centre - Simcoe-North!

The Ontario government created Ontario Early Years Centres to be a place where parents and caregivers can get answers to questions, information about programs and services that are available for young children, and an opportunity to talk to early years professionals, as well as other parents and caregivers in the community. You and your child can visit the Simcoe-North Ontario Early Years Centre for a range of free services including:

• Early learning and literacy programs for parents and their children;
• Parenting programs that support parents and caregivers of young children in all aspects of early child development;
• Information and training for new parents about pregnancy and parenting.

The Simcoe-North Ontario Early Years Centre also brings together in one location information about children's services and programs in the community. If you have questions about your child's development, or want to know how to get information or services for your child aged 0-6 in Simcoe-North, please visit your Ontario Early Years Centre in:

 Midland (lead office)

356 King Street, Midland,  

(705) 526-2456  FAX (705)526-9820

email: oeycsimcoenorth@oeycsimcoenorth.ca

Orillia satellite site:

80 Colborne St. W., Orillia,   

(705)325-1299         FAX (705)325 7339     

email: orillia@oeycsimcoenorth.ca

The hours for both locations are:

Mondays 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM For Resources Only  

Tuesdays 8:30 AM - 8:00 PM For Stay and Play and Resources

Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM  For Stay and Play and Resources  

Saturdays 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM For Stay and Play and Resources

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CURRENT PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES GO TO OUR CURRENT NEWSLETTER:

REGULAR PROGRAMS IN MIDLAND AND ORILLIA

SATURDAY MORNING WITH DADS-- ORILLIA AND MIDLAND--On the Second Saturday of each month, 10:00-12:00.  This special morning for Dads offers time for children and their dads to enjoy the centre on a special day. Registration requested as breakfast is served.

GRANDPARENTS PROGRAM—1:30-3:30  Grandparents are invited to take part in our program for support, resource information and development . For more information please call Jackie Vandenberg at the Ontario Early Years Centre at 526-2456 ext. 42 or 325-1299 ext. 40

MIDLAND—GRANDPARENTS PARENTING AGAIN—The 1st Tuesday of each month

ORILLIA—GRANDPARENTS PARENTING AGAIN—The 2nd Tuesday of each month

BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT The Ontario Early Years Centre offers support for breastfeeding moms and their families. The Midland centre has drop in support from a health nurse weekly, and La Leche meets at bothe the Midland and Orillia centres monthly. Please feel free to ask staff for more information.

BREASTFEEDING, BABY AND MORE 

Midland First Tuesday of each month 10:00 –11:30 am

MIDLAND--On the 3rd Wednesday of each month alternately at 10:30 am or 6 pm

ORILLIA--On the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm

EMERGENCY BABY NEEDS

Through the generosity of donations we are able to offer diapers, formula, and baby food to anyone who finds themselves in need of emergency baby needs.

GETTING READY FOR BABY

Are you pregnant or know someone who is?  The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is pleased to offer an exciting new series of classes for expectant parents in the last trimester of pregnancy. These sessions will help expectant parents learn about preparing for life with a new baby, breastfeeding, child growth and development, available community resources and many other topics to help give their baby the healthiest possible start in life. The series consists of three classes before baby's arrival and one class afterward. They are offered free of charge. For more information, to receive a free copy of our "Let's Grow a Healthy Baby" booklet, and/or to register for the Getting Ready for Baby series, call Health Connection at 721-7520 or visit our website at www.simcoemuskokahealth.org

LET'S GROW SCREENING CLINICS

An Early Identification team of community partners offers this free clinic on the last Wednesday of each month.  If you would like to talk to a professional about your child's development, you can make an appointment by calling Health Connections 721-7520.  You do not need to have serious concerns about your child.  You may just wish to speak to a professional about your child's development.

Orillia: The last Wednesday of every month by appointment only.

Midland: Call the above number to make an appointment.

CIRCLE TIME

Join us in the mornings at the centres and participate in a fun, active circle time. Everyday at each centre we will have songs, poems, learning activities, and a story time. All children and parents visiting the centre during circle time are encouraged to participate. After circle time a healthy snack is offered in the kitchen area.

FRENCH RESOURCES!

We now have some great Francophone resources at both the Midland and Orillia Centres. Visit the Centres to check out the new THEME TOTES, BOOKS, VIDEOS, COMPUTER GAMES, C.D'S, and TOYS!

LANGUAGE BOOKS

We have some great books in different languages added to our already wonderful collection of children's books in the Early Literacy Room at both the Orillia and Midland Centres. Check out our books in Spanish, Hebrew, Swedish, Ojibwe, just to mention a few.

THEME TOTES!!!

REMEMBER—The OEYC has wonderful theme totes for you to take home for your children. They are full of activities, games, toys, puzzles, books and other fun stuff based on a theme. Find theme totes on farm, space, Disney, transportation, seasons, food, dinosaurs, bears and kitchen, to name just a few. Theme totes can be borrowed for one week. Some contain small items not suitable for children under 3.

LITERACY ROOMS

In both the Midland and Orillia centres you will find a whole room dedicated to reading, booksand fun activities to get children ready to read. Games, computer activities, book tapes, magnets, puzzles, building materials, writing materials, and of course lots of books. These rooms are available for everyone to use any time you visit the centre. Adults accompany children to the room and assist the children with the activities. Please make sure to replace the activity in its storage spot when done so others can also enjoy the literacy room.

PARENT CHILD MOTHER GOOSE

This is a wonderful eight-week program that teaches parents ways to bond and communicate with your child. Parent-Child Mother Goose is based on the oral language and encourages communicating with your child through poems, songs, rhymes, lullabies and story telling using language, facial and body language.