EarlyON | Waterloo Region Program Descriptions

On this page you will find the Program Descriptions for the programs that we offer as EarlyON | Waterloo Region. Some of our programs and services are drop-in and some require pre-registration. Visit our EarlyON | Waterloo Region Program Calendar page to learn when and where programs are offered. You can also use our Find a Program tool.

Visit our services page for on-site community partner information.

EarlyON | Waterloo Region Drop In Programs

EarlyON Drop-In
How Does Learning Happen? Through Play! Join other children, caring adults and families in play and exploration together! EarlyON Educators are available to provide support and information around early learning topics, community resources, programs and referrals in our play based environment. Pre-registration is not required for EarlyON Drop In.

Baby and Me (birth-12 months)
Learn and play together with your baby while connecting with other families through music, songs, fingerplays, rhyming, conversations and other activities. Our EarlyON Educators are there to support you in finding parenting information, resources and referrals. Pre-registration is not required.

Dad and Me
Whether you are a dad, grandfather, or caregivers that identify as men, in this program you can connect, have fun, and explore with your children and other families. Our EarlyON Educators are there to support you in finding parenting information, resources and referrals. Pre-registration is not required.

Explore With Us (2-6 years)
Join other children and families with preschoolers (siblings welcome) as we explore literacy, numeracy, and science-based activities! Together, we will be creative, problem solve, investigate, and gain a stronger understanding of our world through play.  For up-to-date information on this program, which is EarlyON location-specific, visit our site calendars and site-specific program information at www.KEyON.ca. Registration may be required for this program at some EarlyON locations. 

Music and Movement (birth-6 years)
Join an EarlyON Educator and other families as we sing, dance, and explore music and movement together! Children and adults of all ages are welcome! This is a drop in program. Registration is not required for in-person programs.

Musique et Mouvement (birth-6 years)
Join an EarlyON Educator and other families as we sing, dance, and explore music and movement together! Children and adults of all ages are welcome! This is a French Immersion program designed to introduce and expose your family to the French Language. You do not need to know how to speak French to participate.

Rejoignez un(e) éducateur(trice) d’On y Va et d’autres familles pour chanter, danser et explorer la musique et mouvement ensemble! Les enfants et les adultes de tous les âges sont bienvenus! This is a French Immersion program designed to introduce and expose your family to the French Language. You do not need to know how to speak French to participate.

Read and Relax (birth-6 years)
Join our EarlyON Educators and other families as we read a story and participate in sensory, movement and relaxation activities together. When we read together, we can explore emotions, build language and literacy skills and connect with others while making sense of our world. This is a drop-in program. Pre-registration is not required.

Ready Set Move! (birth- 6 years)
Encouraging physical activity supports your family in making healthy lifestyle choices. This program encourages you and your child to be active together through a variety of fun physical activities, songs and games. This is a drop-in program. Pre-registration is not required.

S.T.E.A.M for Preschoolers (2-6 years)
Drop in and join other families with preschoolers and our EarlyON Educators in exploring literacy, numeracy and science activities. Together we will use our curiosity and ask questions as we connect, play and learn about the world around us through Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (S.T.E.A.M.). Pre-registration not required.

Toddler Play and Learn (12–24 months)
Toddlers learn through play. Join our EarlyON Educators and other families with toddlers to connect and play together in an environment where your toddler can work on their physical, social, language and thinking skills. We encourage you to follow your child’s lead and play with them as they explore, play, learn, discover and gain meaning of their world. This is a Drop In program. Pre-registration not required.

Venez Jouer et Chanter
Venez Jouer et Chanter est un programme entièrement en français pour tous les âges qui inclus les chansons, des jeux libres et des activités amusantes! Inscrivez-vous à l’avance chaque semaine pour participer. This is a Francophone program and is offered fully in French.

EarlyON | Waterloo Region Targeted Specialty Programs

Baby Connections (6-12 months)
The Baby Connections program helps families develop their babies’ literacy and language skills, and provides each family with a take-home kit of resources. The program has been specifically designed for parents/caring adults and young babies, 6-12 months of age. Join us to gain confidence in playing with and promoting literacy and learning with your baby and receive a free Baby Connections Resource Kit.  For in-person programs, registration closes at 9:00am, one business day before the series starts. For online programs, registration closes at 9:00am, 5 business days before the series starts to enable you the opportunity to pick up your kit at a local EarlyON Centre.

Circle of Security Parenting
Do you have questions about building a strong attachment with your child(ren)? Our EarlyON Educators, trained in the Circle of Security® Parenting™ program, welcome you to this 8-week relationship-based series where we will explore parenting and attachment together. This program was developed by Circle of Security International. Pre-registration is required. Registration closes at 9:00 am, 1 business day before the series starts. Limited childminding may be available for children aged 16 months to 6 years. This program may be offered in-person or virtually. Register at www.KEyON.ca.

Infant Massage (Birth-12 months)
Building a strong attachment with your infant is one of the building blocks to social development. This program is a great way to build this attachment while learning techniques for stimulating, relaxing, and providing relief for your infant. The adult attending and participating in infant massage must be the child’s parent or legal guardian. Please turn KEyON email notifications “on” when registering for Infant Massage. An email will be sent to you that includes information you need to know about Infant Massage prior to attending. Registration closes at 9:00am, 2 business days before the series starts for both in-person and online programs.

Kaleidoscope Kids
As special needs families, life is constantly changing but together we can help each other see that it remains beautiful. Come play, connect, support and be supported as we bring our differences together. Kaleidoscope Kids is a free pre-registered program for children under 8 years of age and their parent or caring adult. You are encouraged to bring your children with special needs, siblings or come by yourself. Registration is required. Register at www.KEyON.ca. If you have any questions, please reach out to info@wrfn.info.

Make the Connection 0-1 (Birth to 12 months)
Make the Connection provides interactive discussions to help parents reflect on key components of secure attachment. This secure beginning sets in motion a positive course for a child’s social and emotional well-being, learning in school, and contribution to society. We will also incorporate hands-on parent-baby activities throughout the program to align with discussion topics. Registration closes one business day at 09:00am before the session starts.

Make the Connection 0-3 (Birth to 3 years)
Make the Connection 0-3 provides interactive discussions about the key components of secure attachment for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. This secure beginning sets in motion a positive course for a child’s social and emotional well-being, learning in school, and contribution to society. We will also incorporate hands-on parent and child activities to align with discussion topics. Registration closes one business day at 09:00am before the session starts.

Parenting My Baby (Birth-12 months)
Having a new baby is a time of change, discovery, and often many questions. We invite you and your baby to come out and meet other families with babies for discussion around a variety of topics. An EarlyON professional (and some guest speakers) will offer up-to-date information/resources and support. Register at www.KEyON.ca

Parents and Caregivers in Conversation
Join EarlyON Educators and other parents and caregivers to discuss a variety of topics to support you in your role as a parent or caregiver. This program is for parents and caregivers with children up to age 6. We welcome you to learn, ask questions, and share experiences, and ideas. Pre-registration is required. Limited childminding is available for children aged 16 months to 6 years. Register at www.KEyON.ca. Please register adults only.

Starting School (3-6 Years – Children must be entering JK/SK in 2025)
Children will explore, play and learn with other children and educators in an environment based on the kindergarten curriculum to support their transition to the school system. We invite the parents/caregivers to join us for the last 20 minutes each week to explore with us. Registration for this program is limited to 8 children. Children must be eligible to start kindergarten in September 2025. Parents/caring adults must remain onsite and within the EarlyON location for the full duration of the program. Registration closes at 9:00am, one business day before the Starting School series starts.

Community Partner Programs

Community Kitchen Offered and Hosted by Cambridge Family Early Years Centre
Join other parents for this free nutrition program and cook together. At each session we will prepare an affordable, healthy recipe that you can take home for your family to enjoy. Participants sign-up for individual sessions of their choice. EarlyON Educators offer limited childminding for children 4 months to 6 years of age. Please provide a labelled snack and drink for your child. For more information please EarlyON I Waterloo Region at (519) 741-8585. Registration closes at 9:00am one business day before the program starts. Register at www.KEyON.ca for registration support, call 519-741-8585 x3001.

Preparing for Parenthood (Prenatal) Planning a pregnancy and expecting a new baby are both exciting times full of change, growth, discovery, and often many questions. Preparing for Parenthood is a free program series that offers information about having a healthy pregnancy and becoming a parent. Visit our Preparing for Parenthood web page for more information or www.KEyON.ca to register. Sessions run in-person and online through Zoom. Registration closes at 9:00am, one business day before the series starts.

Sleep and Your New Baby (Birth-12 weeks)
Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services and the EarlyON Child and Family Centres in Waterloo Region are inviting you and your baby to a free session to help you get to know more about your baby’s sleep patterns and how to respond. Visit our Sleep and Your New Baby web page for more information or www.KEyON.ca to register. Registration closes at 9:00am, one business day before the session starts.

Stories and Stretches Offered by Region of Waterloo Library Come join us as we read stories, and sing together all while using our bodies to move in different ways! Children of all ages accompanied by an adult are welcome! This program includes singing indoors. For more information please EarlyON I Waterloo Region at (519) 741-8585 or visit the Region of Waterloo Library website. This is a drop in program. Registration is not required.

Young Parents Connect Co-facilitated with Cambridge Family Early Years Centre
This program provides an opportunity for young parents (under age 29) to come together to share experiences, concerns, parenting tips and ideas. Each week we cook a meal that we enjoy together and discuss a parenting topic/resources/service that is of interest to the group. At the end of each session, we have a fun interactive circle time with the children. We provide bus tickets, healthy recipes, and food certificates. EarlyON offers limited childminding for children 4 months to six years of age. Please provide a labelled snack and drink for your child. For more information please call EarlyON I Waterloo Region at (519) 741-8585 x3001. Additional information is also available on the Parenting Programs Page on Cambridge Family Early Years Centre’s website. This is a drop-in program. Registration is not required.