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EarlyON Child and Family Centres offer free programs for parents and caregivers with children from birth to age six. The centres provide a safe, nurturing and stimulating program in which children can play and parents can connect. Activities that encourage children’s exploration, play and inquiry are incorporated into the programming, supported by How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years.
These centres provide opportunities for:
Engaging Parents and Caregivers. Discuss and share information about child development and parenting.
Establishing School Connections. Build positive relationships with your local school.
Supporting Early Learning and Development. Participate in an intentional, planned program that focuses on children’s social and cognitive development, health and well-being.
Making Connections for Families. Establish connections with local resources and community agencies, including appropriate referrals for special needs.
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 8:45 to 12:15
Join us for story & music time, drop-in and chat, discussions on parenting topics, community resources, and various activities; including art, science, cooking, loose parts and many more!
To learn more, read our Frequently Asked Questions.
December Events
December Events
The snow is coming, I promise! December is shaping up to be a fun month, so let’s get to it.
CLOSED
The EarlyON Center is closed from Monday, December 22, 2025, to January 2, 2026. The first day back is Monday, January 5th. I wish you and yours a wonderful holiday and wish that all that you need arrives on your doorstep in the New Year!
ENTRANCE TO THE SCHOOL & STROLLER PARKING
Access to the EarlyON Centre will be through the east side doors of the school, accessible via a ramp from the sidewalk on Spruce Street. Look for the first set of double doors on the left side of the building. To enter, press the buzzer located on the wall to the left of the doors. The Office Administrator will buzz you in.
Stroller Parking is still located under the stairs in the front hall! Our principal is working diligently to secure a removable ramp so that strollers can be easily rolled down the two stairs leading to the parking area beneath the staircase. Please note that strollers must not be parked in front of the stairs leading to the first or second floor. To maintain the privilege of parking our strollers indoors, this area must remain organized and tidy. If you notice strollers becoming unorganized, encroaching into the foyer, or blocking the stairs, please let me know so I can tidy up the space. Please continue bringing your valuables and any diapering supplies you may need into the room. A table has been set up beside the sign-in sheet table for you to store these items conveniently.
PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE
Paula, a Toronto Public Health Nurse, will be joining us to answer any general health questions you may have. Common topics are breastfeeding, vaccinations, meeting milestones, and separation anxiety. Paula will be in the EarlyON Center on Friday, December 12th, from 9:30 to 10:30.
DECEMBER POT-LUCK
We will be having our Winter Potluck on Wednesday, December 17th. Bring your favourite food to share with everyone. Please ensure that your food is peanut-free. Lunch will start at 11:15.
THE BIG CHRISTMAS GIVE
The Big Christmas Give is The Rhema Foundation Canada’s new, free, annual holiday celebration bringing hope, joy, and essential support to families, children, seniors, and newcomers across Toronto. In partnership with Toronto Police Services 31 Division, this free community event offers a full day of festive activities and life-impacting resources for over 3,000 attendees. Please Note: Registration is required before December 10th.
Date: Saturday, Dec 20, 2025
Time: 9 am to 4 pm
Loction:123 Garratt Boulevard, North York
Guests will receive access to toys, warm, food hampers, meals, community services (flu shots, dental, hair cut and much more), entertainment, skating and employment opportunities, all in one welcoming space. The event is designed to remove barriers, support household needs during the holiday season, and bring people together in an atmosphere of care, dignity, and celebration.
Major features include:
🎁 Toy Pick-Up Zone for children and youth ages 2–17
⛸️ Outdoor Skating Rink with music and hot chocolate
🛍️ Holiday Marketplace showcasing local vendors and artisans ($$)
❤️ Care Zone offering haircuts, food hampers, clothing, flu shots & dental checks
👵 Big Kids Lounge dedicated to seniors with refreshments and entertainment
👮 Community & Careers Hub with on-the-spot job interviews and TPS recruitment
The Big Christmas Give blends celebration with practical support, ensuring families not only enjoy a day of holiday joy but also leave with resources that make a real difference. For more information and to register, follow the link to Eventbrite.
What to Expect at the EarlyON Centre
What to Expect at the EarlyON Centre
ENTRANCE, STROLLER PARKING & VALUABLES
ENTRANCE, STROLLER PARKING & VALUABLES
There has also been a significant change to how we are required to enter the school and how we park our strollers. Please take a moment to review the changes.
There has also been a significant change to how we are required to enter the school and how we park our strollers. Please take a moment to review the changes.
As of November 1st, access to the EarlyON Centre will be through the east side doors of the school, accessible via a ramp from the sidewalk on Spruce Street. Look for the first set of double doors on the left side of the building. To enter, press the buzzer located on the wall to the left of the doors. The Office Administrator will buzz you in. Please note, this is a new process for both the school office and the EarlyON Centre. Your patience is appreciated as we work through any hiccups. If you are not buzzed in promptly, please call the office directly at (416) 393-1522.
As of November 1st, access to the EarlyON Centre will be through the east side doors of the school, accessible via a ramp from the sidewalk on Spruce Street. Look for the first set of double doors on the left side of the building. To enter, press the buzzer located on the wall to the left of the doors. The Office Administrator will buzz you in. Please note, this is a new process for both the school office and the EarlyON Centre. Your patience is appreciated as we work through any hiccups. If you are not buzzed in promptly, please call the office directly at (416) 393-1522.
Stroller Parking is still located under the stairs in the front hall! Our principal is working diligently to secure a removable ramp so that strollers can be easily rolled down the two stairs leading to the parking area beneath the staircase. Please note that strollers must not be parked in front of the stairs leading to the first or second floor. To maintain the privilege of parking our strollers indoors, this area must remain organized and tidy. If you notice strollers becoming unorganized, encroaching into the foyer, or blocking the stairs, please let me know so I can tidy up the space. Please continue bringing your valuables and any diapering supplies you may need into the room. A table has been set up beside the sign-in sheet table for you to store these items conveniently.
Stroller Parking is still located under the stairs in the front hall! Our principal is working diligently to secure a removable ramp so that strollers can be easily rolled down the two stairs leading to the parking area beneath the staircase. Please note that strollers must not be parked in front of the stairs leading to the first or second floor. To maintain the privilege of parking our strollers indoors, this area must remain organized and tidy. If you notice strollers becoming unorganized, encroaching into the foyer, or blocking the stairs, please let me know so I can tidy up the space. Please continue bringing your valuables and any diapering supplies you may need into the room. A table has been set up beside the sign-in sheet table for you to store these items conveniently.
Should you have any questions or concerns about either of these changes, please contact my Program Officer, Lesley Aitken, at (416)819-4144.
Should you have any questions or concerns about either of these changes, please contact my Program Officer, Lesley Aitken, at (416)819-4144.
SHOES
SHOES
To keep the space clean, adults and children are asked to remove their shoes, rain boots, and winter boots when entering the room. Please place outdoor shoes, wet rain boots, and snow boots neatly against the wall, to the left of the door. There are signs on the wall to show where items can be lined up. Please bring a cheap pair of “indoor” shoes to wear for yourself and your child. A bin is set aside to store indoor shoes, should you wish to leave them.
To keep the space clean, adults and children are asked to remove their shoes, rain boots, and winter boots when entering the room. Please place outdoor shoes, wet rain boots, and snow boots neatly against the wall, to the left of the door. There are signs on the wall to show where items can be lined up. Please bring a cheap pair of “indoor” shoes to wear for yourself and your child. A bin is set aside to store indoor shoes, should you wish to leave them.
PHONES
PHONES
The Toronto District School Board requires students, staff, and visitors to schools to mute their phones and always keep them out of sight. This extends to us in the EarlyON. However, phones can be used to translate information, contact your employer, take pictures, and for health and medical purposes. I understand that this can be difficult, and I appreciate your cooperation.
The Toronto District School Board requires students, staff, and visitors to schools to mute their phones and always keep them out of sight. This extends to us in the EarlyON. However, phones can be used to translate information, contact your employer, take pictures, and for health and medical purposes. I understand that this can be difficult, and I appreciate your cooperation.
ARTWORK
ARTWORK
Fact: Children produce a lot of artwork! Your fridge may be overwhelmed by the amount of art hanging on it. There is a simple solution: if you want to keep your child’s artwork, write their name on it and, when it dries, I will put it in the art bin (located under the sign-in sheet). If you don’t want to keep it, don’t write their name on the masterpiece, and I will dispose of it.
Fact: Children produce a lot of artwork! Your fridge may be overwhelmed by the amount of art hanging on it. There is a simple solution: if you want to keep your child’s artwork, write their name on it and, when it dries, I will put it in the art bin (located under the sign-in sheet). If you don’t want to keep it, don’t write their name on the masterpiece, and I will dispose of it.
MUSIC & STORYTIME
MUSIC & STORYTIME
Music & Story, though scheduled for 10:30 – 10:45, is fluid. If the children are engaged in play, I may move the time to later in the day. However, at any point during the morning, we may hold an impromptu circle!
Music & Story, though scheduled for 10:30 – 10:45, is fluid. If the children are engaged in play, I may move the time to later in the day. However, at any point during the morning, we may hold an impromptu circle!
BOOK-LENDING LIBRARY
BOOK-LENDING LIBRARY
The EarlyON Center has a Book Lending Library for both children and adults. All you need to do is sign the book out. When you return it, just check it off as returned. You can borrow children’s books for as long as you want. If you would like an adult resource book, I may be able to check one out for you through the TDSB Professional Library. Please discuss this option with me.
The EarlyON Center has a Book Lending Library for both children and adults. All you need to do is sign the book out. When you return it, just check it off as returned. You can borrow children’s books for as long as you want. If you would like an adult resource book, I may be able to check one out for you through the TDSB Professional Library. Please discuss this option with me.
PHOTOS FOR DIGITAL FRAME
PHOTOS FOR DIGITAL FRAME
At the EarlyON Center, we have a large digital photo frame where we share pictures of the wonderful children who attend our programs. While I do my best to capture special moments, I’m not always able to photograph every child during visits. If you would like your child to be included, either alone or with family, I invite you to send a photo (or a few!) by replying to this email with your attachments. 🔒 Please note:
At the EarlyON Center, we have a large digital photo frame where we share pictures of the wonderful children who attend our programs. While I do my best to capture special moments, I’m not always able to photograph every child during visits. If you would like your child to be included, either alone or with family, I invite you to send a photo (or a few!) by replying to this email with your attachments. 🔒 Please note:
All photos are stored securely on a laptop, not in the cloud.
If I ever want to print a photo for use in the center, I will ask your permission first.
If I ever wish to post a photo online, I will ask you to complete a Release of Media form.
Thank you for helping us build a warm, welcoming space where every family feels seen and celebrated!
FOOD & DRINKS
FOOD & DRINKS
Snacks are always free and available at the EarlyON Center. Feel free to help yourself or your little one to something from the fridge whenever you're hungry. If you'd like to bring your own food to leave in the fridge, please make sure your name is clearly labelled on it. Want to bring a snack to share with others? That's wonderful! Just please ensure that it is nut-free to help keep everyone safe.
Snacks are always free and available at the EarlyON Center. Feel free to help yourself or your little one to something from the fridge whenever you're hungry. If you'd like to bring your own food to leave in the fridge, please make sure your name is clearly labelled on it. Want to bring a snack to share with others? That's wonderful! Just please ensure that it is nut-free to help keep everyone safe.
If you want to bring your coffee and tea to EarlyON, please ensure it is in a travel thermos mug. The lid should screw on. This is to ensure that accidents involving hot liquids don’t happen. I have a couple of thermos mugs available, and I am also looking for donations to keep on hand.
If you want to bring your coffee and tea to EarlyON, please ensure it is in a travel thermos mug. The lid should screw on. This is to ensure that accidents involving hot liquids don’t happen. I have a couple of thermos mugs available, and I am also looking for donations to keep on hand.
You are more than welcome to bring lunch for yourself and your little one to eat in the EarlyON Center. Some people bring lots of food to share (like a mini potluck), and some bring food just for themselves. There is no expectation for you to eat lunch or bring food to share. You do not have to leave if other people are eating.
You are more than welcome to bring lunch for yourself and your little one to eat in the EarlyON Center. Some people bring lots of food to share (like a mini potluck), and some bring food just for themselves. There is no expectation for you to eat lunch or bring food to share. You do not have to leave if other people are eating.
BIRTHDAY PARTIES
BIRTHDAY PARTIES
If your little one is celebrating a birthday, why not do it while at the EarlyON Center? You don’t have to schedule anything. Bring whatever you want to make the day special! We will sing “Happy Birthday” and share in the joy. Please bring the necessary supplies if your birthday snack requires plates or cutlery.
If your little one is celebrating a birthday, why not do it while at the EarlyON Center? You don’t have to schedule anything. Bring whatever you want to make the day special! We will sing “Happy Birthday” and share in the joy. Please bring the necessary supplies if your birthday snack requires plates or cutlery.
LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION?
LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION?
Sprucecourt is not the only TDSB EarlyON site. There are 75 EarlyON Child and Family Centres located in elementary schools across Toronto. View EarlyON Child and Family Centre locations on a map. Click TDSB Early Years for further information.
Sprucecourt is not the only TDSB EarlyON site. There are 75 EarlyON Child and Family Centres located in elementary schools across Toronto. View EarlyON Child and Family Centre locations on a map. Click TDSB Early Years for further information.
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