RFC - Early ON

COVID-19 Procedures

Please review the Safety Guidelines before participating in an EARLY ON play group.

COVID-19 Safety GUIDELINES

This document will be reviewed and revised as new information is shared by the Ministry of Education and Ottawa Public Health.

Who We Serve

Rural Family Connections and the RFC – Early ON Child & Family Centre offers programs, workshops and resources for Parents and Caregivers to promote the well being of children and the people who care for them.

Whether you are pregnant, have a young baby or toddler or you are preparing your pre-schooler for Junior Kindergarten, Rural Family Connections offers programming for you, through our RFC – Early ON Child & Parent Centre.

Crafts, Imaginative Play, Sensory Play, Toys and Activities for Small Motor/Cognitive Development, Infant-Toddler appropriate play area and toys, Books/Quiet Area. Each playgroup morning ends with story-time and songs lead by one of our experienced Resource Facilitators. City of Ottawa ‘Parenting in Ottawa’ program public health nurse is on-site for consultation every Wednesday morning during playgroup in Metcalfe. A small kitchen provides room for snacks. NOTE: Please respect our Nut-free Policy, including all nuts and sesame ingredients.

“When we support each other, incredible things happen”

January 2022 Virtual Programming Calendar

(Our January In-Person Playgroups are cancelled) Please join us on-line!

RFC - Early ON Playgroups

Masks are mandatory for all adults and children over the age of six.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      ALL participants must be pre-registered (adults and children).  Please follow the links below to pre-register!

Monday

Re-opening in February 2022!
May change due to COVID guidelines.

9 am - 12 pm
RFC - EarlyON Child and Family Centre,
8243 Victoria Street, Metcalfe                                                                                                                     Please follow this link to register for the M/W Metcalfe playgroups.

9 am - 12 pm 
Osgoode Community Centre,
5660 Osgoode Main Street, Osgoode                                                                   Please follow this link to register for the M/F Osgoode playgroups.

Tuesday

Re-opening in February 2022!
May change due to COVID guidelines.

9 am - 12 pm
 RFC - EarlyON Child and Family Centre,
8243 Victoria Street, Metcalfe                                                                                 (Will be resuming at a later date)

10:00 am - 12:00 pm 
Greely Community Centre,
1448 Meadow Drive, Greely                                                                                    Please follow this link to register for the T/Th Greely playgroups.

Wednesday

Re-opening in February 2022!
May change due to COVID guidelines.

*City of Ottawa Parenting in Ottawa Program.                  (Re-opening postponed due to Covid-19)                                A public health nurse in on-site for consultation every Wednesday afternoon from 1:30 - 3pm during playgroup at RFC - Early ON Child and Family Centre.

9 am - 12 pm*
RFC - EarlyON Child and Family Centre,
8243 Victoria Street, Metcalfe                                                                                                                      Please follow this link to register for the M/W Metcalfe playgroups.

9 am - 12 pm

Alfred Taylor Recreation Centre                                                                                 2300 Community Way, North Gower                                                                  Please follow this link to register for the Wed. North Gower playgroups.

12:30 pm – 2:00 pm   Lullababies                                                                                 (Will be resuming at a later date)
RFC - EarlyON Child and Family Centre,
8243 Victoria Street, Metcalfe

Thursday

Re-opening in February 2022!
May change due to Covid guidelines

9 am - 12 pm
Community Recreation Association  * NEW *
1604 Old Wellington, Kars, ON  K0A 2E0                                                                           Re-opens Nov 4th, 2021!                                                                                               Please follow this link to register for the Thurs. Kars playgroups.

10:00 am - 12:00 pm 
Greely Community Centre,
1448 Meadow Drive, Greely                                                                                    Please follow this link to register for the T/Th Greely playgroups.

 

Friday

Re-opening in February 2022!
May change due to COVID guidelines

9 am - 12 pm
RFC - EarlyON Child and Family Centre,
8243 Victoria Street, Metcalfe                                                                                   (Will be resuming at a later date)                                                                   

9 am - 12 pm 
 Osgoode Community Centre,
5660 Osgoode Main Street, Osgoode                                                                   Please follow this link to register for the M/F Osgoode playgroups.

Other Programming

Whether you are pregnant, have a young baby or toddler or you are preparing your pre-schooler for Junior Kindergarten, Rural Family Connections offers programming for you, through our Live & Learn EarlyON Child & Parent Centre.

Prenatal Plus

Thinking of getting pregnant? Already pregnant? This 6-week series is facilitated at times by an Ottawa Public Health Nurse and also by our Early Childhood Educators.

Topics include:

Public Health’s role
Infant Massage / Baby Sign Language
Birthing Companions/Doulas/Midwives
Childbirth / Postpartum
Breastfeeding / Bottle Feeding
Healthy Babies / Healthy Children
Baby Nutrition
Yoga / Exercise / Dance
Nutrition for Pregnant Mom
Products

Offered periodically through the year. Please see Events for our current schedule. These classes are free, however space is limited and advanced registration is required. To register or for more information, Contact Us.

Kindergarten Readiness

Our Ready to Learn program is for Children 3 – 5 years old who are registering to attend school for the first time in the current year. Each child must be able to commit to the entire 4-week session. Offered in English Only.

Children who have no formal childcare or preschool experience will be given priority in this program.

Please see Events for our program announcments. To register or for more information, Contact Us.

Clinics

First Words
Are you concerned about your child’s milestones in communication? Visit First Words website to complete the Communication Checkup, on-line screening tool.

Dental Screening Clinics
Sponsored by Healthy Smiles Ontario (a Government of Ontario program) The focus is on children 17 and under. Get oral health information, learn about fluoride applications, tooth care and the Healthy Smiles Ontario program.

Please see Events for our clinic announcements. To register or for more information, Contact Us.

Additional Resources

Ministry of Education parent area:
http://www.earlyyears.edu.gov.on.ca/EYPortal/index.htm

City of Ottawa Parenting in Ottawa program:
https://www.parentinginottawa.ca/en/dropins.aspx

Early ON Childcare:
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/childcare/