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 |
EarlyON I Roger Street 161 Roger St, Waterloo | May 9th | 9:00am-12:30pm |
EarlyON I Oak Creek 80 Tartan Ave, Kitchener | June 13th | 9:30am-12:30pm |
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 April 24th May 22nd June 19th | One appointment per time 10:00am & 11:15am |
EarlyON | Oak Creek 80 Tartan Ave, Kitchener | Fridays May 10th June 7th Wednesdays May 8th June 5th | One appointment per time 9:30am & 11:00am One appointment per time 10:00am & 11:15am |
EarlyON | Roger Street 161 Roger St, Waterloo | Thursdays April 25th May 23rd June 20th | One appointment per time 1:00pm & 2:30pm |
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 |
To Be Determined | To Be Determined | To Be Determined |
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 May 8th June 12th | One appointment per time: 9:30am & 11:00am |
EarlyON | Riverside 250 William St, Elmira | Wednesdays April 24th May 22nd June 26th | One appointment per time: 9:30am & 11:00am |
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 I Water Street, EarlyON I Oak Creek, EarlyON Roger Street and EarlyON I St. Boniface. 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.
Support is offered by appointment only at EarlyON I Cedar Creek and EarlyON I Riverside. Please click here to book your appointment.
Location | Dates | Time |
EarlyON | Water Street 73 Water St., N., Unit 105 Cambridge | May 21st June 26th | 1:00pm-2:00pm 10:00am-11:00am |
EarlyON I Oak Creek 80 Tartan Ave, Kitchener | May 22nd June 18th | 10:00am-11:00am 1:00pm-2:00pm |
EarlyON I Roger Street 161 Roger St, Waterloo | May 14th June 11th | 11:00am-12:00pm |
EarlyON I St. Boniface 225 Starlight Ave, Breslau | April 24th May 15th June 19th | 10:00am-11:00am |
EarlyON I Cedar Creek 55 Hilltop Dr, Ayr | June 21st | 10:00am-11:30am |
EarlyON I Riverside 250 William St, Elmira | May 17th | 10:00am-11:30am |
Breastfeeding Buddies – We Are Breastfeeding
“YAY! The baby’s finally here… now what do we do!?” Come on out to your Local Early ON Centre for a drop in visit. No Registration Necessary…all age of babies and all feed methods are welcome. It’s a great way to meet other parents and find the tips, tools, and information you need to reach your family’s Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Goals. Pre-registration is not required.
If you would like to attend but have barriers with transportation, please call Breastfeeding Buddies directly at 519 772 1016.
Location | Dates | Times |
EarlyON I Oak Creek 80 Tartan Ave, Kitchener | April 22nd | 10:00am-11:00am |
EarlyON I Roger Street 161 Roger St, Waterloo | April 29th | 10:00am-11:00am |
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 I Oak Creek 80 Tartan Ave, Kitchener | April 20th May 25th June 22nd | 9:30am-11:30am |
EarlyON I Roger Street 161 Roger St, Waterloo | May 4th June 1st | 9:30am-11:30am |
EarlyON I Water Street 73 Water St., N., Unit 105 Cambridge | June 8th | 9:30am-11:30am |
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 May 1st Saturdays May 11th June 8th | 10:00am-11:00am |
EarlyON | Water Street 73 Water St., N., Unit 105 Cambridge | April 22nd May 27th June 24th | 9:00am-11:00am |
EarlyON I Roger Street 161 Roger St, Waterloo | April 24th June 26th May 28th | 1:00pm-4:00pm 1:00pm-3:00pm |
EarlyON I Riverside 250 William St, Elmira | 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 | May 9th June 11th | 10:30am-11:30am |
EarlyON at Stork Family YMCA 500 Fischer-Hallman Rd N, Waterloo | May 21st June 18th | 9:30am-11:30am |
EarlyON at Victoria Hills Community Centre 10 Chopin Dr, Kitchener | 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 |