SERVICES & R ESOURCES FOR FAMILIES OF YOUNG CHILDREN

In order for children to develop their fullest potential they need a range of experiences. They require opportunities for active, interactive, quiet, and creative play. This list of community resources may help you provide fun learning activities to help your child get the best start in life.

Family Resource Centres Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre 519-642-7630 Families First in White Oaks 519-649-1248 Glen Cairn Community Resource Centre 519-668-2745 Merrymount Children's Centre 519-434-6848 South London Community Centre 519-686-8600 YMCA Strathroy Community Branch 519-245-6075 Childreach Centre (London) 519-434-3644

Parenting Education and Support MAPP (Mutual Aid Parent Program) (London, Strathroy, Glencoe) 519-455-9000 Middlesex-London Health Unit 519-850-2280 N'Amerind Friendship Centre 519-672-0131 All Early Years Centres *see below for addresses and phone numbers *

Ontario Early Years Centres (www.ontarioearlyyears.ca ) are places where parents and caregivers can: • take part with their children in a range of programs and activities • get answers to questions • get information about programs and services that are available for young children • talk to early years professionals as well as other parents and caregivers in the community London Locations Centre Centre London-Fanshawe Operated by Childreach Operated by London Children's Operated by Merrymount Children's 265 Maitland St., Connection Centre London, ON N6B 2Y3 1019 Viscount Rd., 1892 Dundas St. E. (at Clarke Rd.), 519-434-3644 London, ON N6K 1H5 London, ON N5W 3G4 (beside Jean Vanier Elementary) 519-455-2791 519-473-2825 Middlesex County Locations Lambton-Kent-Middlesex Perth-Middlesex Elgin-Middlesex Operated by North Lambton Child Operated by Perth Care for Kids Operated by Community Living Elgin Care Centre 40 Heritage Dr., 7 Morrison Dr. 80 Frank St., Ilderton, ON N0M 2A0 St. Thomas, ON N5R 4S5 Strathroy, ON N7G 2R6 519-666-3227 519-631-9496 519-245-8879 Satellite services offered in Satellite services offered in Ailsa Satellite services offered in Glencoe, Parkhill, Strathroy and Craig and Lucan. Dorchester Mount Brydges *Please call for information on program locations and times*

Libraries - Offer preschool story times, book lending, tales for tots and other special programs. Call your local library for more program information. London Public Libraries (www.londonpubliclibrary.ca ) 519-661-5100 Middlesex County Public Library ( middlesex.library.on.ca ) 519-245-8237

Museums and Theme Parks London Regional Children's Museum 519-434-5726 Fanshawe Pioneer Village 519-457-1296 Museum of Ontario Archaeology 519-473-1360 519-661-0333 Storybook Gardens 519-661-5770 By the age of 3 years, a vision, and dental check is recommended: Vision Check-up This check-up is covered by OHIP yearly for children. See your optometrist. Dental Check-up If you have no coverage and your child is in urgent need, call 519-663-5449 . Hearing Check-up If you are concerned about your child's hearing, contact your family doctor and ask to be referred to an audiologist for a hearing assessment.

TykeTALK Partnership of speech and language services that focus on the prevention, early detection of treatment of speech and language problems in preschool children. 519-663-0273 or 1-877-818-TALK www.tyketalk.com

Recreation Many low cost activities are available for young children. Read the “Spectrum”, London and Middlesex County Guide to Recreational Activities distributed free by the City of London, Recreational Department or view website: www.london.ca 519-661-5575 See Middlelink for listings of recreational activities in the county or view website: www.county.middlesex.on.ca/countyinformation/municipalities.asp and click a municipality.

Well Baby/Child Clinics and Breastfeeding Clinics Public Health Nurses examine the health of children birth to 4 years and offer advice and information to parents. Clinics are held on a drop-in basis at various locations in London. In the county, clinics are available in Glencoe, Lucan, Ilderton, Dorchester, Strathroy and Parkhill. Call Middlesex-London Health Unit to check times and locations. 519-663-5317, x2280 Infant hearing screening is available by appointment at a clinic. 519-663-5317, x2279

Helpful Parenting Websites www.canadianparents.com A Canadian parenting website from birth to teens, family issues, experts, newsletter. www.thehealthline.ca Provides information on health topics, news and health services, including agencies and professionals for London-Middlesex and Southwestern Ontario. www.cfc-efc.ca (Child and Family Canada) A publication education website that provides quality credible resources about children and families. www.cmha.ca Canadian Mental Health Association website. www.familyinfo.ca A web portal for parents, caregivers and service providers that links to information on programs, services and resources in the London and Middlesex area for children aged 0-6 years. www.ontarioearlyyears.ca/oeyc/en/home.htm A place where you can find answers to frequently asked questions about OEY centres. It also features a library of information about the six years of your child's life. www.investinkids.ca Information and support aimed at strengthening parenting knowledge, skills and confidence. www.cps.ca Canadian Pediatric Society website.

Help Lines Health Connection - Middlesex-London Health Unit - www.healthunit.com 519-850-2280 Offers telephone information, advice, and referral to community resources. Infantline - For information on infants birth to one year. Monday to Friday 4:30 to 10:00 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 519-675-8444 Information London - info.london.on.ca - Click on Children & Families Information and referral to community parenting services in London and Middlesex County.

Family Crisis Support London Mental Health Crisis Centre - 24 hour crisis line and family counselling service Located at 862 Richmond St., London 519-433-2023 Family Services Thames Valley, 125 Woodward Ave., London 519-433-0183 Family Services Thames Valley County (Open Mon. & Wed. between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.) 519-245-3935 Merrymount Children's Centre - Support and crisis care for children and families. 519-434-6848 Crisis Intake Team for Children and Youth ages 0-16 years - 24 hour crisis counseling. Counselors available to discuss concerns and offer support. 519-433-0334 Children’s Aid Society - Individual and family counseling and assistance in crisis situations. Self-referral accepted. 519-455-9000 Vanier Services (London) - Crisis support, counselling for parents of children with emotional and behavioral problems 519-433-3101 Women's Community House - 24 hour crisis counseling and support for women and children experiencing domestic violence. 519-642-3000 24 hour Abused Women's Helpline ( www.shelterlondon.org ) 1-800-265-1576 Women's Rural Resource Centre - Emergency shelter, crisis line, counselling 519-245-6235 Inclusion of a service does not imply endorsement nor does exclusion indicate a lack of endorsement.

May 2008