Our EarlyON and Family Resource programs offer children, parents and caregivers a warm and caring environment where we can foster participation in learning through a wide range of programs and services:
- Programs oriented especially for children up to six years old;
- Learning through play;
- Resources and information from professionals with knowledge of early childhood development;
- Information or referrals to specialized programs and services within the community;
- Opportunity to meet and make connections with families and their children;
- Opportunities for food education and hands-on learning.
All programs and services offered are FREE!
Nos programmes On y va et de ressources familiales procurent aux enfants, aux parents, et aux soignants un environnement chaleureux et bienveillant où nous pouvons favoriser la participation à l’apprentissage par un large éventail de programmes et de services :
- les programmes axés sur les enfants de six ans ou moins;
- l’apprentissage par le jeu;
- les ressources et les renseignements de professionnels qui s’y connaissent en matière de développement de la petite enfance;
- des renseignements ou un aiguillage vers des programmes et des services spécialisés qui sont offerts dans la collectivité;
- la possibilité de rencontrer des familles et leurs enfants et de créer des liens avec eux;
- des occasions d’éducation à l’alimentation et d’apprentissage pratique.
Ces programmes et services sont GRATUITS!
Director, Family Services: Stephanie Brazeau
705-677-0440 ext 228 : stephanie.brazeau@ocof.net
Executive Director: France Gauthier
705-677-0440 ext 222 : france.gauthier@ocof.net
Programs and Services
Playgroup
By engaging in play, children and their parents/caregivers learn together in an open, welcoming, inviting, and inclusive environment.
Cooking with OCOF
Our Slow Cooker workshops and Community Kitchens are examples of cooking programs offered to parents and caregivers. They have the opportunity to learn about the importance of healthy eating and to develop their cooking skills while preparing healthy affordable meals for their families within a specific budget in a group environment.
Cooking with Kids
Children between the ages of 2.5 to 12 years old will have the opportunity to learn basic cooking skills by preparing pre-selected recipes with the support from their accompanied parent/caregiver.
Steps & Stages
This program offers families with children from infancy to 4 years of age an opportunity to receive information and support on a variety of age-appropriate topics. Informal discussions give parents and caregivers the opportunity for personal growth and to share with each other the joys and challenges of raising their young children.
Parent Education Programs
These programs offer parents/caregivers an opportunity to receive education and support through programs such as: Triple P (Positive Parenting Program), H.E.L.P. Tool Box, Nobody’s Perfect, Bounce Back and Thrive, etc.
Parent Support Groups
These discussion groups offer parents/caregivers an opportunity to receive support from others who share similar challenges, joys, and experiences in raising young children.
Explorer’s Club
This outdoor play-based program gives children and their parents/caregivers the opportunity to interact with the natural world around them. This program makes outdoor play fun, easy, and adventurous while providing developmentally appropriate learning opportunities that include risky play, land sustainability and environmentally friendly practices.
Family Fun Night
This program gives families the opportunity to interact together in an open and welcoming environment while participating in games and physical activities together. A hot nutritious meal is served.
Dad’s Night
This program gives fathers/male role models and children the opportunity to interact together in an open and welcoming environment while participating in discussion, games and physical activities together. A nutritious meal is served.
Creating Healthy Babies – Prenatal Nutrition Program
This program offers expectant mothers’ hands-on opportunities on how to meal prep nutritious meals, to learn about healthy eating and how to manage some of the discomforts that occur with pregnancy. We also provide education on a variety of topics from labor, birth & delivery to breastfeeding and the transition to parenthood. Assistance is provided for transportation and to obtain prenatal vitamins, milk, vegetables, fruit, eggs and other protein sources.
Welcome Baby
Welcome Baby inspires parents/caregivers with babies up to 12 months of age to explore, interact and research with materials which supports curiosity, learning and development.
Getting Healthy with OCOF
Family Yoga, Zumbini, Movement & Play are a few examples of physical fitness and wellness programs offered to families to promote healthy and positive lifestyle choices.
Special Events
We host special events from time to time to give members and staff a chance to socialize and have fun together. Some special events that we have had in the past include fire station tours, nature walks, beach & playground outings and much more.
Car Seat Inspections
We offer car seat inspection clinics to parents/caregivers to learn how to safely install and use a car seat.
Hearing and Developmental Screening
Individual screening is offered using a checklist designed to help monitor children’s emotional, physical and overall development. Hearing test may also be available. This screening is intended for children ages 18 months and older.
Transportation
Transportation may be available for registered participants.
Child Care
Child care may be available for registered participants during cooking and parenting programs.
Infant Food Cupboard
The Infant Food Cupboard Program provides assistance to families with infants under the age of 42 months who need infant formula, milk or diapers. This is an emergency service only and is not intended to provide permanent support. (705-677-0931)
Emergency Food Program
Our main objective is to ensure families with young children experiencing food security issues have access to nutritious foods which are available in all of our programs. We provide:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and protein sources according to Canada’s Food Guide;
- Nutrition training and education in the kitchen, which is a major component of our Food Security Program.
Registration
All participants are asked to complete a registration package. This information enables us to obtain statistical data for our organization and is being collected for the sole purpose of tracking how many parents, caregivers, and children we are serving. We also want to ensure the safety of the participants who attend programing by having information about their allergies, special needs, and emergency contact information should something happen while they are attending program. None of the participant’s personal information will be shared with outside organizations or individuals without their consent. Please complete the fillable registration package and e-mail it to the site you wish to attend. You can also bring the completed membership package to your first program. See monthly calendar for more information on programs available in your area. Registration packages can also be completed with a Family Resource Worker on site.