The Sprucecourt EarlyON Child and Family Centre 

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:

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. 

IT'S HAPPENING IN APRIL!

CLOSURES

The EarlyON Center will be closed from Friday, April 18, to Monday, April 21, 2025. Have a great long weekend!


MEASLES OUTBREAK IN ONTARIO

The Globe and Mail has recently published an article about the recent measles outbreak in Ontario. Some people think of measles as a little rash and fever that clears up in a few days. However, measles can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5 years old. Measles is highly contagious. If one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected. Check out this website for more information about measles exposure in Ontario.  

The best protection against measles is the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. MMR vaccine provides long-lasting protection against all strains of measles. It is easy to obtain the MMR vaccine. You can ask your family physician or pediatrician, or contact Public Health Units, Community Health Centres and Pharmacies. Keep track of your child’s immunizations with Ontario’s Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule


PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE

Adele, a Toronto Public Health Nurse, will join us to answer any questions you may have. Common topics are breastfeeding, vaccinations, meeting milestones, and separation anxiety. Adele will be in the EarlyON Center on Friday, April 25th  from 9:30 to 10:30.


SICKKIDS HOSPITAL’S EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

The Sick Kids Virtual Urgent Care Kiosk can assist families in determining whether their child is eligible for a virtual visit with the Sick Kids Emergency Department. To be eligible the child must:  

• Be under the age of 18

• Be present for the virtual visit

• Live in the GTA

• Have a valid Ontario Health Card

The Greeter-supported Virtual Urgent Care Kiosk is a health equity-focused approach to urgent care. This kiosk is an in-person pilot project located at the Lawrence Allen Center, where many classic barriers to digital care, such as physical space, technology, interpreters, and others, are removed to assist families in obtaining the required care. It provides an additional way for one of Toronto's most digitally underserved communities to access the Virtual Urgent Care platform.


READING PARTNERSHIP FOR BLACK PARENTS

A 10-week evidence-informed early literacy program that guides caregivers through a play-based approach for teaching their children to read. For more information, contact jdenton@familydaycare.com or call (647) 629-7422. 


COOKING EXPERIENCE: MAKING INDIVIDUAL PIZZAS

On Friday, April 11th children will be invited to make their individual pizza for snack or lunch.  All the food supplies will be purchased ahead of time, so you only need to show up! We will be using Naan bread, pizza sauce, cheddar and/or mozzarella cheese and mild pepperoni. We will be using our in-house toaster oven to heat the pizzas. If you would like to participate, but you or your child have dietary restrictions, please feel free to bring your ingredients.


MAKING SHERBET

Warm weather means it's time for sherbet! Making sherbet is a fun, ongoing activity that happens whenever anybody brings in fresh fruit. So, feel free to bring in your choice of fruit anytime you'd like! There's no need to set a specific date because the sherbet machine is a permanent fixture in the EarlyON. However, we do need to start making the sherbet by 9:45 AM at the latest. This ensures we have enough time to prepare the mixture with the children and let it chill. 


MUSIC & STORY TIME

Music & Story Time, though scheduled for 10:20, is fluid.  If the children are engaged in play, I may move the time to later. That being said, we may hold an impromptu circle at any point during the morning!


BOOK-LENDING LIBRARY:

The EarlyON Center has a Book-Lending Library for children and a Resource-Lending Library for adults. To borrow a book, you only need to sign it out and check it off as returned. You can borrow the books for as long as you want. If you would like a specific 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

There is a large digital frame in the EarlyON Center where I upload pictures of the children who attend. However, I am not able to take pictures of everyone who comes. I would like to upload pictures of each child, with or without their family. If you would like to add a photo, please respond to this email with one (or more) attachment(s)!


PHONES IN SCHOOLS & EARLYON                 

This year 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, there are some exceptions when phones can be used: translating information, contacting your employer, taking pictures, and for health and medical purposes.  Understandably, this can be difficult and your co-operation in appreciated. There is more information here.


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.