by Michael Erskine
LITTLE CURRENT—Parents and caregivers rejoice, the Little Current EarlyON Child and Family Centre in Little Current has moved to larger digs, offering up more room for programming and services. Previously located in Little Current Public School, the EarlyON Centre is now located in the former Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board offices in the Island Business Centre on Highway 6.
“We moved the EarlyON Child and Family Centre from the elementary school so we can create more space for child care,” said Diana St. Pierre, Manitoulin Family Resources children’s services director, noting that there is a huge demand for daycare spaces, but plenty of demand for the EarlyON services.
EarlyON centres are different from daycares in a couple of important ways. Although EarlyON Centres offer up many of the same programs and services as the daycare centres, EarlyON centres are more focussed on parents.
Where parents drop off their children at daycare centres before heading off to work or school, parents accompany their children at the EarlyON centres, explained Ms. St. Pierre.
“You just show up, pretty much,” said Little Current EarlyON Child Care Resource worker Michelle Pyette, who is in charge of the Little Current site. “Our calendar is online at www.keyon.ca (the calendar can also be downloaded at www.mfresources.net/childrens-services or found on the MFR Facebook page). We have different locations, here in Little Current, Mindemoya, Manitowaning and Gore Bay. You just see what programs we are offering and what you are interested in.”
Featuring plenty of natural light from the large glass doors at the front, the EarlyON centre parents dropping into the centre were commenting on how it offers up an inviting series of play areas for children and parents to interact, with a bright and colourful colour scheme.
Parents can register for programming by going to www.mfresources.net or by emailing earlyon@mfresources.net or by calling 705-370-4796.
