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Early Learning

 

 

Early Learning/Child CareEarly Learning/Child Care<p>There are early learning options available for children starting from infancy. Child-care (or day-care) programs are child minding services that provide a learning environment for children while parents are at work, at appointments or busy in other ways. Some parents choose to enrol their children in these programs as an opportunity to socialize and learn. Finding quality child care is important, as it provides reassurance to parents that children are receiving care in a safe and positive learning environment.  </p><p>Child care can be unlicensed or licensed by the Ontario Ministry of Education. To receive a licence, a child-care program must meet and maintain very specific standards to provide for the health, safety and developmental needs of children. Care is provided by professional Early Learning staff. Informal, or unlicensed, child caregivers are not regulated by the Ontario government and, therefore, are not required to meet provincial health, safety or training standards.</p><p>Child-care programs can take place in a child-care centre or in a caregiver's home. Child-care centres can operate in a variety of locations, including community centres, places of worship, schools or other buildings. Some programs offer child care to children as young as infants, through all ages up to school-aged. Some schools provide child care for children before and after school, for a fee.  It is important to contact a child-care program directly to find out the services and program ages offered at each location.</p><p>The Ontario public school system also offers early learning programs for children ages 4 and 5 years old.  Children who are turning 4 years old within the calendar year can attend Junior Kindergarten and children are turning 5 years old within the calendar year can attend Senior Kindergarten.  These programs are located in elementary schools.  To learn more about Junior and Senior Kindergarten visit the Ontario Ministry of Education website www.edu.gov.on.ca or contact your local school board.</p><ul><li>Visit the <a href="/_layouts/15/FIXUPREDIRECT.ASPX?WebId=484b7e38-2aa2-460a-a430-172adb04c57e&TermSetId=9072d593-bdd3-4146-9084-121d630c8dbd&TermId=3c12c926-e20b-4ccc-84fb-1908c2e9d635" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">Education</font></a> section of the Simcoe County Immigration Portal to find out more information about education options in Simcoe County.</li><li><p>Visit <a href="http://centraleastontario.cioc.ca/?UseCICVw=79" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">www.childcareinsimcoecounty.ca </font></a>to find child care in Simcoe County.</p></li></ul><p>​</p>
Child Care Fee AssistanceChild Care Fee Assistance<p><span aria-hidden="true"></span>Financial assistance to pay for child-care fees is available to eligible families within Simcoe County.  Eligibility for child-care fee assistance is determined by a standard assessment based on income only.  Parents interested in applying for child-care fee assistance should have their child-care arrangement in place prior to scheduling an appointment for assessment of eligibility.  </p><p>Visit the County of Simcoe website to learn more about <a href="http://www.simcoe.ca/ChildrenandCommunityServices/Pages/fee-assistance.aspx" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">Child Care Fee Assistance in Simcoe County</font></a> or contact the Children and Community Services Department: <br>705-722-3132 or<br>905-729-4514</p><p>​</p>
Children with Special NeedsChildren with Special Needs<p><span aria-hidden="true"></span>Early intervention refers to supporting the early identification and treatment of infants and young children with special needs up to six years old, or those who may be at risk of experiencing barriers to development. Parents might think about contacting early intervention services if they have concerns with their child's:</p><ul><li>Feeding and nutrition </li><li>Ability to learn </li><li>Hearing </li><li>Mobility and movement </li><li>Speech/Language/Communication </li><li>Attention </li><li>Vision </li><li>Behaviour/Social/Emotional interaction </li><li>Play </li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>The <a href="http://www.simcoe.ca/ChildrenandCommunityServices/Pages/early-about.aspx" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">Simcoe County Early Intervention Services </font></a>website provides information about services in Simcoe County for children aged 0-6.</li><li>Visit <a href="/learning/Pages/succeed.aspx#special" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">Special Education</font></a> in the Learning in Simcoe County section to learn more about programs and services through the Ontario public school system available for children and youth with special needs.</li></ul>
Protecting Your ChildProtecting Your Child<p><span aria-hidden="true"></span>In Ontario, the Children's Aid Society (CAS) has a duty to protect children under the age of 16 from abuse or neglect. The Children's Aid Society (CAS) can help parents and children with family problems, such as when there is a threat of violence or harm to children.  </p><ul><li>Visit the <a href="http://www.cleo.on.ca/en/publications/cas-en" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO)</font></a> website for factsheets about the Children's Aid Society, which are available in multiple languages.</li><li>The <a href="http://www.simcoecas.com/en" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">Simcoe County Children's Aid Society </font></a>has resources that provide some additional information for parents:</li></ul><h4><span lang="EN">The information listed below was provided by 211 Community Connection.</span><span lang="EN"></span></h4><table width="100%" class="ms-rteTable-6" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr class="ms-rteTableHeaderRow-6"><th class="ms-rteTableHeaderEvenCol-6" colspan="2" style="width:50%;text-align:center;"><strong>Children's Aid Society of Simcoe County</strong> ​</th></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-6"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-6" style="width:60%;"><p><a href="http://www.simcoecas.com/en" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">Children's Aid Society of Simcoe County</font></a></p><p>Locations in: Alliston, Barrie, Bradford, Collingwood, Midland and Orillia </p><p><strong></strong> </p></td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-6" style="width:40%;"><p>60 Bell Farm Rd, Unit 7  L4M 5G6<br><strong>Phone: </strong>705-726-6587<br><strong>Toll Free</strong>: 1-800-461-4236</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>​</p>
Parenting WorkshopsParenting Workshops<p><span aria-hidden="true"></span>Many local organizations in the community offer parenting workshops. Workshop topics and dates are updated regularly based on interest, so it is important to inquire about topics and availability.</p><p>Triple P workshops help parents build confidence in their parenting abilities and positive behaviours in children. <a href="http://www.triplepontario.ca/en/home.aspx" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">Click here to learn more about Triple P workshops throughout Simcoe County</font></a>.</p><p>For additional information for parents, visit the following sections of the Simcoe County Immigration Portal:</p><ul><li><font color="#0066cc"><a href="/_layouts/15/FIXUPREDIRECT.ASPX?WebId=484b7e38-2aa2-460a-a430-172adb04c57e&TermSetId=9072d593-bdd3-4146-9084-121d630c8dbd&TermId=47dca0a8-f9fa-47e0-868a-4c3e46d02758" target="_blank">Arenas and Recreation</a></font> </li><li><font color="#0066cc"><a href="/_layouts/15/FIXUPREDIRECT.ASPX?WebId=484b7e38-2aa2-460a-a430-172adb04c57e&TermSetId=9072d593-bdd3-4146-9084-121d630c8dbd&TermId=3c12c926-e20b-4ccc-84fb-1908c2e9d635" target="_blank">Education</a></font></li><li><font color="#0066cc"></font><a href="/_layouts/15/FIXUPREDIRECT.ASPX?WebId=484b7e38-2aa2-460a-a430-172adb04c57e&TermSetId=9072d593-bdd3-4146-9084-121d630c8dbd&TermId=af9d33e9-5dd4-4a6d-abfd-1228914bde6f" target="_blank">Family Health </a></li></ul><p>​</p>