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.
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. Please click the date of interest to register for an appointment. The parent or legal guardian must attend the appointment with the child.
Location | Dates | Time |
To Be Determined | To Be Determined | To Be Determined |
Dental Screening (Region of Waterloo Public Health)
A Registered Dental Hygienist and Dental Assistants from Region of Waterloo Public Health and Paramedic Services will be onsite to provide free dental screening to children from birth to 17 years of age. Each screening appointment is 30 minutes in length and individual appointments must be booked for each child. If the dental hygienist identifies that a child has a dental problem, parents will receive information about how to access dental care. Once you have registered for a specific timeslot, please ensure that your KEyON notifications are turned on. Our EarlyON team will follow up with you with additional information to complete your registration. Please book an individual appointment time slot for each child. Please click the date of interest to register for an appointment. The parent or legal guardian must attend the appointment with the child.
Location | Dates | Time |
To Be Determined | To Be Determined | To Be Determined |
Zero2Six Children’s Mental Health Consultation
The Zero2Six program offers consultation sessions to parents and legal guardians of infants, toddlers and preschoolers (birth to six years of age). Consultations focus on social and emotional development, behaviour challenges, and parenting strategies. Please note: Appointments must be booked by and attended by the child’s parent or legal guardian. To book your consultation, click here.
Location | Dates | Time |
EarlyON | Water Street 73 Water St., N., Unit 105 Cambridge | Wednesdays March 27th April 24th May 22nd June 19th | One appointment per time 10:00 and 11:15 |
EarlyON | Oak Creek 80 Tartan Ave, Kitchener | Fridays March 22nd April 12th May 10th June 7th Wednesdays March 20th April 10th May 8th June 5th | One appointment per time 9:30 and 11:00 One appointment per time 10:00 and 11:15 |
EarlyON | Roger Street 161 Roger St, Waterloo | Thursdays March 28th April 25th May 23rd June 20th | One appointment per time 1:00 and 2:30 |
University of Waterloo School of Optometry & Vision Science*
Eye Exams (6 months – 6 years)
This service will provide a full vision exam if families do not have an existing family optometrist. OHIP will cover this exam. You will be asked for your child’s OHIP number to attend the appointment. Spaces are limited. Please note: The child’s parent or legal guardian is required to attend the appointment with the child. Register for your child’s appointment by clicking this link or by calling 519-741-8585 x 3001.
Location | Dates | Time |
EarlyON | Oak Creek 80 Tartan Ave, Kitchener | March 21st | One appointment per time: 9:40; 10:00; 10:20; 10:40; 11:20; 11:40; 12:00; 12:20; 1:20; 1:40 |
EarlyON | Riverside 250 William St, Elmira | March 28th | One appointment per time: 9:40; 10:00; 10:20; 10:40; 11:20; 11:40; 12:00; 12:20; 1:20; 1:40 |
EarlyON | Roger Street 161 Roger St, Waterloo | April 4th | One appointment per time: 9:40; 10:00; 10:20; 10:40; 11:20; 11:40; 12:00; 12:20; 1:20; 1:40 |
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 | St. Boniface 225 Starlight Ave, Breslau | Wednesdays April 10th May 8th June 12th | One appointment per time: 9:30; 11:00 |
EarlyON | Riverside 250 William St, Elmira | Wednesdays March 27th April 24th May 22nd June 26th | One appointment per time: 9:30; 11:00 |
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 location near you. Drop in, ask questions and gain 1:1 support if needed. Dates and times are listed below. No pre-registration required. A KEyON account is required to attend the EarlyON location. Accounts can be created on arrival.
Location | Dates | Time |
EarlyON | Water Street 73 Water St., N., Unit 105 Cambridge | March 20th April 17th | 10:00-11:00 |
EarlyON | Riverside 250 William St, Elmira | March 19th | 10:00-11:30 |
EarlyON I Oak Creek 80 Tartan Ave, Kitchener | April 16th | 4:30-6:00 |
EarlyON I Roger Street 161 Roger St, Waterloo | April 9th | 11:00-12:00 |
EarlyON I St. Boniface 225 Starlight Ave, Breslau | April 24th | 10:00-11:00 |
Breastfeeding Buddies – We Are Breastfeeding
In the We ARE Breastfeeding series; we will talk about your wins and challenges. We will talk about making the most of you parenting journey while nursing. There will be the space and time to connect with like minded families. At the end of each session, there will be an opportunity for a breastfeeding check in and a place to ‘just be’. This series is offered in partnership with EarlyON. Register at www.KEyON.ca
If you would like to attend but have barriers with transportation, please call Breastfeeding Buddies directly at 519 772 1016.
Location | Dates | Times |
To Be Determined | To Be Determined | To Be Determined |
Early Learning and Child Care Navigators
Drop in to connect with an Early Learning and Child Care Navigator, who will provide support in your journey. ELCC 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 | Oak Creek 80 Tartan Ave, Kitchener | Wednesdays April 3rd May 1st Saturdays April 13th May 11th June 8th | 10:00-11:00 |
EarlyON | Water Street 73 Water St., N., Unit 105 Cambridge | March 25th April 22nd May 27th June 24th | 9:00am-11:00am |
EarlyON I Roger Street 161 Roger St, Waterloo | March 27th April 24th June 26th May 28th | 1:00pm-4:00pm 1:00pm-3:00pm |
EarlyON I Riverside 250 William St, Elmira | March 28th April 18th May 2nd June 20th | 10:30am-11:30am |
EarlyON I Cedar Creek 55 Hilltop Dr, Ayr | April 25th May 23rd June 27th | 10:30am-11:30am |
EarlyON I St. Boniface 225 Starlight Ave, Breslau | March 19th April 9th May 9th June 11th | 10:30am-11:30am |
EarlyON at Stork Family YMCA 500 Fischer-Hallman Rd N, Waterloo | March 19th April 16th May 21st June 18th | 9:30am-11:30am |
EarlyON at Victoria Hills Community Centre 10 Chopin Dr, Kitchener | April 5th May 3rd June 7th | 10:00am-11:00am |
EarlyON at Wellesley Community Centre 1000 Maple Leaf St, Wellesley | June 3rd | 10:00am-11:00am |
EarlyON at Wilmot Family Resource Centre 175 Waterloo St, New Hamburg | May 1st | 10:00am-11:00am |