About Ontario Early Years Centres (OEYC)
The Ontario government created Ontario Early Years Centres (OEYC) as a place where parents and caregivers can get answers to questions, and obtain information about programs and services that are available for young children. OEYC gives caregivers and parents 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 Brampton Ontario Early Years Centre for a range of free services including:
Early Learning and Literacy Programs for Parents and 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.
Check the OEYC Calendar for Information on OEYC events and schedules.
The Brampton Centre Ontario Early Years Centre also brings together information about children's services and programs in the community in one location. If you have questions about your child's development, or want to know how to obtain information about services for your child aged 0-6 in Brampton, please contact the Ontario Early Years Centre at Heart Lake Town Centre.
180 Sandalwood Parkway, Unit #8C,
Brampton, ON L6Z 4N2 (905) 495-3430
E-mail: mwalker.bnrc.oeyc@bellnet.ca
Upcoming Events
(Click Image to Enlarge)
Recent News
Family Literacy Day, which takes place annually on January 27 is a national initiative that promoted the importance of reading and learning with your child is crucial to the establishment of literacy skills, especially within the first six years of life. The Brampton Neighbourhood Resource Center (BNRC) Ontario Early Years Centre (OEYC) continually supports the development of literacy in all of their programs and this year launched a READ-A-THON at their Winter Wonderland Event on the 26th of January. The READ-A-THON encourages daily reading within the family and all who participated received a free book.
• Nine month old Jason Hunter won First Prize; a $100 gift card for Chapters, Indigo Bookstores, he raised $100 and read 22 books.
• Both Emma (2½ years old) and Abigail (6 years old) Manuel received second prize, a $50 gift card for Chapters, Indigo Bookstores. Emma read 29 books and Abigail read 30, raising a total of $91.50.
• Four year old Michael Lalsingh received third prize, a gift basket of children's books valued at $25 for reading 12 books and raising $73.
Our goal was to raise $3000 for purchasing supplies for centres. In total $365.65 was raised. We purchased one easel for the 50 Kennedy OEYC location, Jumbo Magnetos (jumbo magnet toys) for the Gillingham location, and an activity table for the Sandalwood location. Lastly, we bought easy building bricks to be distributed to each location. Although we did not reach our goal, encouraging reading and learning in our programs still continues. We would like to thank Scholastic Canada Inc. and the National Post for their generous donations and everyone who participated for their support; it is greatly appreciated. Watch out for more information on International Literacy Day in September 2008, and KEEP ON READING!
Community Links
Peel Ontario Early Years Centres (OEYC)
For Child Care Tip sheets and overview of Peel Ontario Early Years Centres:
www.cdrcp.com
Best Start Initiative: Best Start's Goals
Provide access to services and supports, for many more children and parents regardless of individual economic or social circumstances
Integrate pre-school, junior kindergarten, senior kindergarten, quality child care, public health and parenting programs into a seamless system that supports families and children.
Identify potential issues, needs and risks of Ontario children, through early and on-going screening
Provide families with a single point of access for services and supports - based on local needs and available resources - at centrally located early learning and care hubs
For more information regarding Best Start Initiative, childcare and childcare subsidy:
www.peelregion.ca
Community Partners That Visit Our Centre:
Peel Children's Centre Consultant
An appointment can be made to meet a consultant to discuss strategies to support your role as a parent. Please call for dates and times to book an appointment.
Early Literacy Specialist (ELS)
One of our partners is the early literacy specialists from the Region of Peel - Children Services. They provide educational support and workshops on literacy, numeracy and brain development to professionals, parents and caregivers. Resources are also provided during visits to the centre as well as pre-literacy and activities to support your child's learning.
Prevention Early Identification Program (PEP Start)
PEP- Start is a rotating drop-in clinic designed for families with children newborn to 5 years of age who are concerned about their child's development. This program offers the opportunity for parents to consult briefly with professionals from the community agencies from Speech & Language, Parenting/Behaviour, Preschool development, Infant/Toddler development, general health, dental health and nutrition. Please note that this program is not appropriate for children that have already been identified as needing special services.
Other Early Years Services Available:
Peel Early Years Hubs, Readiness Centres, Parenting and Literacy Centres:
Preparing to enter kindergarten for the first time is the focus at the Peel District School Boards early years hubs and readiness centres. For more information and other locations please visit
www.peel.edu.on.ca
Sir Winston Churchill Public School Hub
89 Ardglen Drive
Brampton, Ontario
905-459-2320
Sir Wilfrid Laurier Public School (Parenting and Literacy Centre)
364 Bartley Bull Parkway
Brampton, Ontario
Outreach Locations:
BNRC OEYC has many partners in the community so that families in the Brampton community can access our services more easily. They are as follows:
Brampton Library - Four Corners Branch
65 Queen Street East
(This drop-in allows families to interact with their children birth to six years old. Several activities are set up for children to explore new things. At the end of the program the librarian will have a circle story time with the children.)
Rose Theatre
1 Theatre Lane (Main Street & Queen Street)
Brampton, Ontario
L6V 0A3
YMCA (Young Parents Program)
Brampton YMCA 20 Union Street
FREE! Tuesdays starting June 3rd,2008
Time: 3:00 p.m-4:30 p.m
For more information, please call 905-495-4330
Sir Winston Churchill Public School (Early Years Hub)
89 Ardglen Drive (Clarence and Kennedy)
Brampton, Ontario
Peel Manor Intergenerational Drop-In (United Way Funded Program)
525 Main Street North (South of Bovaird)
Brampton Ontario
St. John Fisher Neighbourhood Learning Place (St. John Fisher Catholic School)
330 Balmoral Drive
Brampton, Ontario
For more information please call: 905-793-8900
BNRC has 3 OEYC Locations
180 Sandalwood Parkway ,Unit#8C(Heart Lake Town Centre)
Phone: (905)-495-3430
50 Kennedy Road S., Unit#24 (Kennedy Square Mall)
Phone: (905)-452-1262
10 Gillingham Drive, Unit#113
It is with regret that Brampton Neighbourhood Resource Centre (BNRC) must inform you that the agency may be forced to permanently close the Ontario Early Years Centre (OEYC) location at 10 Gillingham Drive (Highway 10 and Bovaird) in the Provincial Riding of Brampton West on September 12th, 2008
(for more information click here).
This OEYC location is being forced to close for the following reasons:
* Increased rental costs to maintain the site
* Increase in program delivery costs such as utilities and program support
* A lack of increase in funding from the Ministry of Children & Youth Services (MCYS)
In 2004, BNRC/OEYC used taxpayer monies in the amount of approximately $60,000 to construct this location. The cost of keeping this location open is about $26,000 per year.
BNRC/OEYC has contacted the Provincial Government MPP, Vic Dhillon, responsible for the Provincial Riding of Brampton West to inform him of this closure and seek any assistance from his office to help keep this centre open.
BNRC/OEYC has requested that Mr. Dhillon assist BNRC in securing the funding shortfall to keep the centre open. BNRC/OEYC would encourage families to contact Mr. Dhillon to inform him of the importance of the program and services offered at this location. BNRC would likewise urge families to contact the Provincial Minister responsible for Children and Youth Services, Deb Matthews, to raise your concerns.
Contact information for Mr. Dhillon:
Vic Dhillon, MPP
20 Nelson Street West, Suite 203,
Brampton, ON L6X 2M5.
Phone: 905-796-8669
E-mail: vdhillon.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
BNRC would like to also clarify that this site closure is in the riding of Brampton West not in MPP Linda Jeffrey's Provincial Riding of Brampton-Springdale. While BNRC hopes for a favorable outcome pertaining to this situation. You as community members ultimately hold the power to advocate for continuity of OEYC services in your area.
