Frequently Asked Questions...

Do you have a question? It may be answered below. If you have more questions about Best Start use the 'contact' us section. We encourage your feedback.

• Early learning and literacy programs for parents and children.
• Programs to help parents and caregivers in all aspects of early child development.
• Programs on pregnancy and parenting.
• Links to other early years programs in the community.
• Outreach activities so all parents can get involved with their local Ontario Early Years Centre.

What types of services do the Ontario Early Years Centres offer?

Ontario Early Years Centres offer services and programs for parents of children up to the age of six.
Staff at the Centres can help you:

• Get ready to be a parent if you are going to have a baby.
• Help your child learn to talk, play and read.
• Learn new parenting skills.
• Meet the needs of your family by offering information about other community programs

Where is the Ontario Early Years Centre in my community?

• In Ontario there are over one hundred Ontario Early Years Centres that  offer services to parents, caregivers and young children.
• Many Ontario Early Years Centres also have satellite sites and mobile programs to serve parents and caregivers in their own communities.
• For more information about satellite and mobile services in your area please contact your local Ontario Early Years Centre.The Ministry's toll-free infoline can provide you with information about a specific early years program or service in your community. 

Phone 1-866-821-7770 for more information.

When is my Ontario Early Years Centre open?

Ontario Early Years Centres have different hours.  Ontario Early Years Centres offer some services throughout the day, in the evening and the weekend.
To find the hours for your Ontario Early Years Centre, visit the locations page of the Ontario Early Years site.  Go to the Centre Info page for information about its hours.  You may also contact the Centre directly for more information.

Are the services free?

Yes. All services at Ontario Early Years Centres are free to parents and caregivers of young children.

If you are a parent or caregiver of a child, up to the age of six, you are welcome at the Ontario Early Years Centre in your community.

Why are the early years important?

The years before six are the most influential to a child's development. How we care for our children during the first six years sets the stage for their lifelong learning, behaviour and health.

Are there services to help children with special needs?

Yes. Ontario Early Years Centres are designed to meet the needs of all parents with young children. Each Centre is linked to child and family health and social services in the community.  Staff at the Centres can refer parents to other services as needed. The focus of the Ontario Early Years Centre is to help all parents give their young children the best start in life.

Do Ontario Early Years Centres offer services in French?

The Ontario government requires Ontario Early Years Centres located in designated areas to follow the French Language Services Act. 
 
The following communities are in non-designated areas:

• Essex County
• Kent County
• Lambton

For more information on French services at Ontario Early Years Centres, contact your Centre directly.

I need to find child care for my kids. Can you help?

Yes. Ontario Early Years Centres can provide you with information about child care services in your community.  For a listing of licensed child care programs in your area, please visit out Licensed Child Care Resource website at www.ontario.ca/ONT/portal51/licensedchildcare or visit the childcare section of this site.

Or call Best Start at 1-888-542-6101

Are there services at Ontario Early Years Centres for children above the age of six?

Ontario Early Years Centres offer programs and services for children up to the age of six.  Staff at the Centres also help families find information about other community services.

While the focus is on the early years, staff may have information about other services and programs for children older than six.

Who works at Ontario Early Years Centres?

The Ontario Early Years Centres employ staff with a range of expertise in early childhood development including trained early years professionals and volunteers.

Where does the money to fund the Ontario Early Years Centres come from?

The Ontario Early Years Centres are funded by the government of Ontario.

What Is a Satellite site? What Is a Mobile Site?

Ontario Early Years Centres offer a variety of programs at other locations.  Satellite programs may be offered in schools, child care centres and community centres.  Some Ontario Early Years Centres provide mobile services by using a van to travel from place to place offering a variety of services.

Questions About Best Start

What is "Best Start'?

Best Start is an initiative of the Ministry of Children & Youth Services and the Ministry of Community & Social Services in partnership with the Ministry of Education.

It is a plan to expand quality and affordable child care and invest in children's healthy early development – all in a convenient and easily accessible location for parents.

Across Ontario, community partners – school boards, public health units, child care and children's services providers and municipalities – are working with the Province of Ontario to develop plans to bring Best Start to their local communities.

Ontario's Best Start Plan, when fully implemented will include:

·         An expansion of child care in some publicly funded schools

·         Increased child care subsidies, so more families can access these child care spaces

·         Best Start neighbourhood early learning and care hubs that provide one-stop shopping services for families

·         Universal newborn screening and ongoing screening and services to identify needs and provide vital developmental supports

·         A comprehensive 18 month well-baby check-up.

What Are the Goals of Best Start?

Over the short term:

·         Expand early learning and child care spaces and subsidies, with priority on children in junior and senior kindergarten for non-school hours.

·         Expand child care spaces and subsidies for children 0 – 4 years to increase access to quality child care.

Over the long term:

·         Create developmentally appropriate, universal preschool learning program for 2.5 to 4 year olds from September to June to be offered 2.5 hours per day (or equivalent) at no cost to parents.

·         Plan for community hubs (predominantly in Ontario's publicly funded schools) that will bring together screening, assessment and treatment, child care and parenting programs, with direct links to other children's services, such as mental health services and speech and language resources.

·         These Best Start neighbourhood hubs will be centrally located wherever possible, and services, hours and programming will be convenient for families.

How does Best Start help children?

Best Start links quality licensed child care, education, public health and parenting programs. Children supported from birth through Junior Kindergarten and Senior Kindergarten will be ready and eager to start Grade 1.

 How will families benefit from Best Start?

Best Start  provides an integrated system of services that seamlessly support families with children from their birth right through their transition into Grade 1. These services include quality child care, public health and parenting programs, as well as newborn and infant screening programs, hearing programs, and speech and language therapy programs to help identify supports for children who need extra attention for healthy early development. 

What is Wrap-Around child care?

In addition to the regular Junior and Senior Kindergarten program, "Wrap-Around" child care provides alternate day programs, so that JK/SK students will be able to attend school five days a week. On days when the child is not attending JK/SK classes, he/she would attend the child care centre located in the school.

What are the benefits of Wrap Around Child Care? 

• High quality child care supports the intellectual, physical, emotional and social well-being of children
• Early learning opportunities in child care make a positive contribution to school readiness and long-term educational success for many children
• Child care in the school setting provides a supportive and secure environment and promotes a continuum of care and learning between child care and school programs

Families, communities, agencies and all levels of government are important partners with school boards in the provision of child care in the schools

What is a "HUB"?

A Hub is a place (usually in a school) where quality education and quality child care co-exist for children 0-6 years. Core services that will be supporting the Hub are nursing, speech and hearing. In addition, the Ontario Early Years Centre (OEYC) will be providing information sessions for families. The community Hub will be linked to all the child cares and schools in the area. Everyone is welcome to attend the Hub.

What is "ELP"?

ELP means Early Learning Program. It helps children between the ages of 2.5 and 4 to prepare for school. Through play, children gain age appropriate school readiness skills.

What is Before and After child care?

This is child care for children 3.8 to 12 years offered in the hours before school starts and after school ends.

Do I qualify for reduced childcare rates?  Call to see if you qualify.

Sarnia/Lambton: 519-344-2057

Or use the subsidy calculator on this site.

* If You have any other questions not answered here please contact us.  We will continue to build a FAQ list, or questions page from these.