Our EarlyON Team Can Help
Parenting and caring for children and youth is not always easy. Often parents and caregivers have many questions and trying to find the right person and community agency to talk to can sometimes be overwhelming. We have included some of our local community partners below, and we encourage you to call us at 519-741-8585 ext. 3001 or email us at earlyyearsinfo@ytr.ymca.ca to talk with an EarlyON professional. We can support you with the information or referral resources you are looking for.
Talk with an EarlyON Professional
Our EarlyON team is here for you. We can support you with the information or referral resources you are looking for.
- Call us at 519-741-8585 ext. 3001
- Connect with us through our website chat box
- Email us at earlyyearsinfo@ytr.ymca.ca
Do you have questions about your child’s development? Are you looking for local resources or evidence-based information? Do you want to talk about parenting strategies? Book a conversation (mornings, afternoons, and evenings) with an EarlyON professional. You can use this link to request your appointment and we will follow up with you as early as the next business day to confirm a time and platform. Appointments will be held at EarlyON locations. Virtual appointments occur via telephone, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams.
Ages and Stages Screening
The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) is a free screening tool that can help identify your child’s strengths and areas where they may need support. Do you have questions about how your child is doing? To book a free Ages and Stages Questionnaire Screening with a professional from Camino Wellbeing and Mental Health, click here.
| Location | Dates | Times |
| To Be Determined | To Be Determined | To Be Determined |
Breastfeeding Buddies – Me Breastfeed
In this two hour class, we will talk about What to Expect In The First Seven Days of Breastfeeding Your Baby, Why Is Breastfeeding Important, Strategies For Nursing Your Baby and Parenting Resources in Waterloo Region. Connect with families that are due around the same time as you and learn about our ‘We Are Breastfeeding’ drop in classes for after baby arrives. See a live nursing demonstration and ask all of your questions. To register for this class and to learn more about Breastfeeding Buddies, click here.
| Location | Dates | Times |
| EarlyON | Water Street 73 Water St. N. Unit 105, Cambridge | December 13th | 10:00am-12:00pm |
Breastfeeding Buddies – Walk and Talk Winter
Ready to make some new friends (or meet up with some old ones)? Then be sure to join us for our Walk & Talk Winter Parents & Babies Drop In!
Bring your baby and join us on Mondays or Thursday mornings at 10:00am.
Have questions about your milk supply, latch or other lactation related questions? Bring them along! Trained peer volunteers will be on hand to answer your questions. First time attending a Breastfeeding Buddies event? Feeling shy? email bfbuddies@healthcaringkw.org to connect with us – we are happy to walk you through it!
| Location | Dates | Times |
| EarlyON | Water Street 73 Water St. N. Unit 105, Cambridge | December 1st December 8th | 10:00am-11:00am |
| EarlyON | Roger Street 161 Roger St., Waterloo | December 4th December 11th December 18th | 10:00am-11:00am |
Early Years and Child Care Navigators
Connect with an Early Years and Child Care Navigator, who will provide support in your journey. EYCC Navigators support families by providing information about licensed child care, subsidies and applications, early learning programs in the community, and additional resources. To book your appointment, click here.
| Location | Dates | Time |
| EarlyON | Cedar Creek 55 Hilltop Dr., Ayr | December 10th January 21st, 2026 February 18th, 2026 March 18th, 2026 | 10:30am-11:30am 10:30am-12:00pm 10:30am-12:00pm 10:30am-12:00pm |
| EarlyON | Oak Creek 80 Tartan Ave., Kitchener | December 17th January 7th, 2026 February 4th, 2026 March 4th, 2026 April 1st, 2026 | 10:00am-11:00am |
| EarlyON | Riverside 250 William St., Elmira | November 27th December 18th January 29th, 2026 February 26th, 2026 March 26th, 2026 | 10:30am-11:30am 10:30am-11:30am 10:30am-12:00pm 10:30am-12:00pm 10:30am-12:00pm |
| EarlyON | Roger Street 161 Roger St., Waterloo | December 17th January 28th, 2026 February 25th, 2026 March 25th, 2026 April 22nd, 2026 | 10:00am-11:30am 10:00am-12:30pm 10:00am-12:30pm 10:00am-12:30pm 10:00am-12:30pm |
| EarlyON | St. Boniface 225 Starlight Ave., Breslau | December 2nd January 13th, 2026 February 12th, 2026 March 12th, 2026 | 10:30am-11:30am 10:30am-12:00pm 10:30am-12:00pm 10:30am-12:00pm |
| EarlyON | Water Street 73 Water St. N., Unit 105, Cambridge | January 26th, 2026 February 23rd, 2026 March 23rd, 2026 April 27th, 2026 | 9:30am-11:00am |
Early Years and Child Care Navigators
Drop in to an EarlyON mobile location to connect with an Early Years and Child Care Navigator, who will provide support in your journey. EYCC Navigators support families by providing information about licensed child care, subsidies and applications, early learning programs in the community, and additional resources.
| Location | Dates | Time |
| EarlyON Chandler Mowat Community Centre 222 Chandler Drive, Kitchener | November 25th December 16th | 1:30pm-3:00pm |
| EarlyON at the Stork Family YMCA 500 Fischer-Hallman Rd., North, Waterloo | November 27th January 22nd February 26th March 26th April 23rd | 10:00am-11:00am |
| EarlyON at Wilmot & Wellesley Resource Centre 1-175 Waterloo Street, New Hamburg | November 26th | 10:30am-11:30am |
| EarlyON at Victoria Hills Community Centre 0 Chopin Dr, Kitchener, ON N2M 2G2 | January 16th February 13th March 13th April 10th | 9:30am-11:00am |
KidsAbility Intake Appointments
KidsAbility is a SmartStart Hub for Waterloo Region and provides a range of therapy services to children and youth aged birth to 18 (or until age 21 if attending a publicly funded school in our area). This can include (but is not limited to) Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Social Work. As a SmartStart Hub, KidsAbility supports and connects families with concerns related to their child’s development and day-to-day functioning.
To ensure your child is connected with the right supports, we offer intake appointments provided by Intake Social Workers from KidsAbility onsite at our EarlyON locations. These appointments typically last around 45 minutes and concentrate on screening your child’s development and exploring any concerns you may have. KidsAbility Intake Social Workers will work closely with you and your family during this session to pinpoint the services that best align with your child’s needs.
**Please note- this is not a therapy assessment. If your child is already connected with KidsAbility’s services, the team may be able to support in exploring additional community resources & supports. Please be aware however, this appointment will not impact or change the status of your services with KidsAbility** To book your appointment, click here.
| Location | Dates | Times |
| EarlyON | Oak Creek 80 Tartan Ave, Kitchener | December 16th January 20th February 10th March 17th April 7th | 10:00am, 11:00am |
| EarlyON | Roger Street 161 Roger St, Waterloo | December 9th | 9:30am, 10:30am |
| EarlyON | Water Street 73 Water St. N, Unit 105, Cambridge | December 17th January 14th February 18th March 18th April 15th | 9:30am, 10:30am |
| EarlyON | Cedar Creek 55 Hilltop Dr., Ayr | January 14th March 11th | 10:00am, 11:00am |
| EarlyON | Riverside 250 William St., Elmira | January 8th March 5th | 10:00am, 11:00am |
Monarch House Screening Clinics
At these clinics, Board-Certified Behaviour Analysts® and speech-language pathologists will meet with you and your child for 15-30 minutes. Early identification for delays in developmental milestones is critical which is why Monarch House offers developmental screening clinics – free of charge. They will use screening tools such as the LookSee checklist to identify areas for education or need for follow-up in brief consultations. Each appointment will be a maximum of 30 minutes. Please book an individual appointment time slot for each child. The parent or legal guardian must attend the appointment with the child. Please click here, to book your appointment.
| Location | Dates | Time |
| EarlyON | Roger Street 161 Roger St, Waterloo | February 12th | 9:00am-12:00pm |
| EarlyON | Oak Creek 80 Tartan Ave, Kitchener | March 12th | 9:30am-12:30pm |
| EarlyON | Water Street 73 Water St. N, Unit 105, Cambridge | April 9th | 9:00am-12:00pm |
Public Health Neighbourhood Nurses
Public Health neighbourhood nurses meet people where they are. They support people in spaces where they are comfortable. They help people navigate their health care needs and connect to community support. The nurses specialize in helping people who often experience barriers to health care. Services are free, and a health card is not needed.
They provide access to many public health services and supports, including:
- Vaccines – The nurses can give vaccines and help you figure out which vaccines you need.
- Sexual health – Get counselling, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Nurses can help you with emergency contraception and access to birth control.
- Harm reduction – Nurses can provide supplies for safer drug use. They can also connect you to information about treatment and support.
- Mental health – Connect to mental health supports and peer help groups in your community.
- Prenatal health – Nurses provide advice and connections to health supports during pregnancy.
- Breastfeeding – Get practical information about feeding babies and connection to ongoing support.
- Childhood development – Nurses can help you identify development concerns for your child. They can connect you with community organizations for support.
- Dental health – Nurses can help you figure out if you are eligible for dental coverage. They can provide information on dental care options.
Email phnnt@regionofwaterloo.ca or call 519-575-4400 ext. 5897 for more information.
| Location | Dates | Times |
| EarlyON at Chandler Mowat Community Centre 222 Chandler Drive, Kitchener | December 16th | 1:30pm-3:00pm |
Quick Response Counselling (Woolwich Counselling Centre)
Quick Response provides children and youth up to the age of 18, and/or their families, a brief consultation and counselling session to help you to feel connected and supported quickly. After the consultation, you will leave with a plan including strategies and possible referrals to other supports or services. Quick Response at Woolwich Counselling Centre is offered through a partnership with Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health.
Please book an individual appointment time slot for each family unit. Please click here to book your Quick Response Consultation. Children/youth ages 12 or over may attend the appointment on their own or with their parent or legal guardian. Youth must be 16 years of age or older to enter EarlyON without an adult. The parent or legal guardian for children ages 11 and under may attend with or without their child.
| Location | Dates | Time |
| EarlyON | Riverside 250 William St, Elmira | December 17, 2025 January 28, 2026 February 25, 2026 March 25, 2026 April 22, 2026 May 20, 2026 | One appointment per time: 9:30am & 11:00am |
| EarlyON | St. Boniface 225 Starlight Ave, Breslau | December 3, 2025 January 14, 2026 February 11, 2026 March 11, 2026 April 8, 2026 May 6, 2026 | One appointment per time: 9:30am & 11:00am |
Settlement Services
Free help and support for new immigrants to Canada.
Immigrant Services at the YMCA of Three Rivers will help you with services to you and your family as newcomers to Canada. Services Settlement Workers are located at EarlyON | Oak Creek location. We can help you with information and referral such as health care, education, language, employment and more. The Y will help you live, work, and settle in your new community.
Our Immigrant Services staff speak a variety of languages. Meet a settlement worker to discover programs for immigrant youth, and get help with unfamiliar processes. Registration is not required.
Here are just some of the ways we can help you:
- Completing forms and documents
- Personal and family settlement process
- Immigration and legal issues
- Canadian life and culture
- Employment and education
- Licensing and accreditation
- Interpretation and translation
- Information, advice and support
- Access to programs and services
- And more!
| Location | Dates | Times |
| To Be Determined | To Be Determined | To Be Determined |
Special Needs Resourcing
Drop in to an EarlyON Centre and spend time talking with Early Learning Resource Consultants from Special Needs Resourcing (SNR)! They will provide valuable resources and talk about ways to support the children in your care, especially where you have concerns. They will have a resource table, and will be available to answer your questions regarding child development. Each visit they will also come prepared to share resources through conversation on a topic related to their monthly newsletter. Sign up for their newsletter here.
| Location | Dates | Time |
| EarlyON | Cedar Creek 55 Hilltop Dr, Ayr | December 9th, 2025 March 10th, 2026 June 9th, 2026 | 9:30am-11:30am |
| EarlyON | Oak Creek 80 Tartan Ave, Kitchener | December 10th, 2025 January 14th, 2026 February 11th, 2026 March 11th, 2026 April 15th, 2026 May 13th, 2026 June 10th, 2026 | 10:30am-12:30pm |
| EarlyON | Riverside 250 William St, Elmira | December 9th, 2025 March 10th, 2026 June 9th, 2026 | 9:30am-11:30am |
| EarlyON | Roger Street 161 Roger St, Waterloo | December 10th, 2025 January 13th, 2026 February 10th, 2026 March 10th, 2026 April 14th, 2026 May 12th, 2026 June 9th, 2026 | 10:00am-12:00pm |
| EarlyON | St. Boniface 225 Starlight Ave, Breslau | December 9th, 2025 March 10th, 2026 June 9th, 2026 | 10:00am-12:00pm |
| EarlyON | Water Street 73 Water St. N, Unit 105, Cambridge | December 9th, 2025 January 13th, 2026 February 10th, 2026 March 10th, 2026 April 14th, 2026 May 12th, 2026 June 9th, 2026 | 9:30am-11:30am |
Stork Secrets
Stork Secrets is a peer support group program for expectant and postpartum parents who may be experiencing challenges to the adjustment of new parenthood, or who may be experiencing some form of perinatal mood and/or anxiety disorder (PMAD). This program is for anyone who is currently expecting a child or is a new parent (whether through birth, adoption, or surrogacy) and offers support and a space to share experiences, obtain information and resources, and overcome feelings of isolation commonly felt during the perinatal period. To register, please click here.
For our Stork Secrets group in English, please contact Theresa at theresa@shorecentre.ca for assistance with registration.
For our Stork Secrets group in Arabic, please contact Hala at hala@shorecentre.ca for assistance with registration.
| Location | Dates | Times |
| EarlyON | Oak Creek 80 Tartan Ave, Kitchener | November 26th December 3rd December 10th December 17th | 11:30 am-1:00 pm (Arabic group) |
| EarlyON | Roger Street 161 Roger St, Waterloo | November 25th December 2nd December 9th December 16th January 6th January 13th January 20th January 27th February 3rd February 10th February 17th February 24th March 3rd March 10th March 24th March 31st | 11:30am-1:00pm (Arabic group) |
Waterloo Region Family Network
This service focuses on supporting all families impacted by special needs; with or without a diagnosis. Waterloo Region Family Network supports families in making connections and navigating community resources in Waterloo Region. They aim to support you in making informed decisions for your family. Learn more by visiting their website. A Waterloo Region Family Network Family Resource Coach will be onsite at EarlyON Child and Family Centres. Drop in, ask questions and gain 1:1 support if needed. Dates and times are listed below. A KEyON account is required to attend the EarlyON location. Accounts can be created on arrival.
| Location | Dates | Time |
| EarlyON | Oak Creek 80 Tartan Ave, Kitchener | December 3rd | 10:00am-11:00am |
| EarlyON | Roger Street 161 Roger St, Waterloo | December 2nd | 10:00am-11:00am |