ONTARIO EARLY YEARS CENTRES
FOR CHATHAM-KENT
What are Ontario Early Years Centres?
They are places with family friendly, supportive programs to help strengthen the healthy
development of our children up to 6 years old.
Ontario Early Years Centres help families and caregivers give their preschool children the
best possible start in life by providing answers to questions, information about the programs
and services available, and access to Early Years professionals and other parents and
caregivers. These services are available to families and those caring for young children all
across Ontario. Chatham-Kent Ontario Early Years began operations on May 26, 2002.
What happens at the Early Years Centres?
Parents/caregivers and children benefit from “Early Learning” play and literacy programs,
enriched with new books, toys and creative programs. As well, there are programs for
expectant and new parents, information workshops and resources for parents.
We also provide a link to a Child Care Registry to help parents find child care facilities in their
community.
Why were these Centres developed?
Groundbreaking research has proven that special healthcare and education, from pre-natal to age 6,
will greatly determine a person’s ability to learn, read, live and love later in life.
Tax dollars invested in helping babies and pre-schoolers will decrease the need for more expensive and
intrusive care later in life. {It’s proven that for every $1 spent today on these programs, taxpayers
Will Save $7 later in health care costs, education, correction services, etc.}
Who are these services designed for?
For every child and for every person who is caring for children.
The Early Years services are for all families, regardless of income, culture or special needs.
Everyone can help their child by knowing more about the importance of nutrition (even prenatal) and reading to a child from birth.
All services are free. Services are provided in English, French and low German.
What are the services that will be offered at Ontario Early Years Centres?
▪”Early Learning” play and literacy programs for parents and their children;
▪Programs to support parents and caregivers in all aspects of early child development;
▪Programs for new parents on pregnancy and parenting;
▪Resource and Toy Lending programs in Chatham, a Toy Tour Van in the rural communities;
▪Links to other programs in the community;
▪Outreach activities to ensure all parents can become involved with their local Centre.
▪Information about programs and services in each community – including those for children
with special needs.
Who is involved?
A range of community partners have joined forces to implement this program to help ensure
that children of Chatham-Kent have the very best healthcare and literacy training possible
before the age of six.
Community partners include: Chatham-Kent Integrated Children’s Services, Prism Centre, CK Social Services, C-K Central Library, Lambton-Kent District School Board, St. Clair Catholic
District School Board, Chatham-Kent Health Division, United Way of Chatham-Kent, St. Clair
College ECE Program, Chatham-Kent Recreation Services, Wallaceburg Child Care Learning
Centre, Mennonite Central Committee, and Delwaware Nation Head Start Program
How well do all these agencies work together?
The outstanding accomplishment of these agencies working together is being recognized
outside the municipality for the high level of cooperation. They work together so well that we
are the envy of other municipalities. Out team is so enthusiastic that they keep coming up with
new and better ideas for programs.
Together, we can more effectively provide services for local children and their parents.
Does this represent more or better services for Chatham-Kent?
With all of these great agencies working together for the good of local children, this
represents more services which are provided in a much more coordinated fashion, leaving far
less duplication.
Where are the Centres?
The Main Centre is in Chatham, at Victoria Park Campus, 215 Murray St.
Satellite programs are also in Blenheim, Dresden, Ridgetown, Thamesville, Tilbury,
Wallaceburg and Wheatley.
Our Toy Tour bus also serves communities of Erieau, Merlin, Pain Court, Mitchell’s Bay,
Shrewsbury, Bothwell, and Highgate to enhance our other services.
For More Information:
Visit our Website at www.ckoeyc.ca
or call (519) 355-1451 x 0