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. Call us at 519-741-8585 ext. 3001, connect with us through our website chat box or email us at earlyyearsinfo@ytr.ymca.ca to talk with an EarlyON professional during regular business hours. We can support you with the information or referral resources you are looking for.
Are you looking for more than a quick resource? 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? You can also 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 can be booked at your closest EarlyON location during hours of operation or virtual appointments occur via telephone, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams.
Breastfeeding Buddies of Waterloo Region*
Join trained peer volunteers and breastfeeding parents to connect, ask questions, and learn from the experiences of one another at select EarlyON locations. No pre-registration required. A KEyON account is required to attend the EarlyON location. Accounts can be created on arrival.
Please visit https://www.breastfeedingbuddies.com for more information on their programs and services or to register.
| Location | Dates | Time |
| EarlyON | Roger Street 161 Roger Street, Waterloo | Every Monday starting September 19th | 10:00am-11:00am |
| EarlyON | Oak Creek 80 Tartan Avenue, Kitchener | Every Wednesday Starting in October | 10:00am-11:00am |
| EarlyON | Water Street 73 Water St., N., Unit 105 Cambridge | To be determined | To be determined |
Breastfeeding Buddies of Waterloo Region*
Me Breastfeed Prenatal Workshop
Are you expecting a baby? Do you have breastfeeding questions? Was the last time harder than you expected? Learning about Breastfeeding while you are pregnant is an excellent first step towards meeting #YOURbreastfeedinggoals. You and a Support Person are invited to join us for our FREE 2-hour Virtual or in-person Prenatal Workshop.
Please visit https://www.breastfeedingbuddies.com/neve-home/about-services/me-breastfeed-workshop/ to register for the online workshop or the in-person workshop at community locations. In-person registration at EarlyON locations will launch when dates/times are confirmed.
| Location | Dates | Time |
| EarlyON | Roger Street 161 Roger Street, Waterloo | To be determined | To be determined |
| EarlyON | Oak Creek 80 Tartan Avenue, Kitchener | To be determined | To be determined |
| EarlyON | Water Street 73 Water St., N., Unit 105 Cambridge | To be determined | To be determined |
Carizon*
Zero2Six Children’s Mental Health Consultation
The Zero2Six program has two components: individual consultation sessions and home-based support. Individual one-hour consultation sessions to parents/caregivers of infants, toddlers and preschoolers (birth to six years of age) focus on social and emotional development, behaviour challenges, and parenting strategies. At this time, the service is offered both virtually and in person. Please contact Front Door at 519-749-2932 to schedule your session and further discuss your needs. Starting in September 2022, Zero2Six consultations will return to select EarlyON locations (view locations, dates and times in chart below). Appointment times are coming soon. Registration information is coming soon.
| Location | Dates | Time |
| EarlyON | Water Street 73 Water St., N., Unit 105 Cambridge | Wednesdays September 28th October 12th October 26th November 9th November 23rd December 7th | 10:00 or 11:30 AM |
| EarlyON | Oak Creek 80 Tartan Avenue, Kitchener | Thursdays September 29th October 13th October 27th November 10th November 24th December 8th | 1:00pm or 2:30 PM |
| EarlyON | Roger Street 161 Roger St., Waterloo | Fridays September 23rd October 7th October 21st November 4th November 18th December 2nd | 10:00 or 11:30 AM |
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. Please provide your child’s OHIP number when booking your appointment. Spaces are limited. The child’s parent or legal guardian is required to attend the appointment with the child. Registration information coming soon.
| Location | Dates | Time |
| EarlyON | Water Street 73 Water St., N., Unit 105 Cambridge | Thursdays September 22nd October 20th November 17th | One appointment per time: 9:30, 9:45, 10:30, 10:45, 11:30, 11:45, 1:15, 1:30, 2:15, 2:30 |
| EarlyON | Riverside 250 William St., Elmira | Thursday November 3rd | One appointment per time: 9:30, 9:45, 10:30, 10:45, 11:30, 11:45, 1:15, 1:30, 2:15, 2:30 |
| EarlyON | Cedar Creek 55 Hilltop Drive, Ayr, Ontario | Thursday October 6th | One appointment per time: 9:30, 9:45, 10:30, 10:45, 11:30, 11:45, 1:15, 1:30, 2:15, 2:30 |
| EarlyON | Oak Creek 80 Tartan Avenue, Kitchener | Thursdays September 29th October 27th November 24th | One appointment per time: 9:30, 9:45, 10:30, 10:45, 11:30, 11:45, 1:15, 1:30, 2:15, 2:30 |
| EarlyON | Roger Street 161 Roger St., Waterloo | Thursdays September 15th November 10th December 1st | One appointment per time: 9:30, 9:45, 10:30, 10:45, 11:30, 11:45, 1:15, 1:30, 2:15, 2:30 |
Waterloo Region Family Network
This service focuses on supporting all families impacted by special needs; with or without a diagnosis. Waterloo Region Family Network can support you in making connections and navigating community resources in Waterloo Region in order to make informed decisions for your family. Learn more by visiting their website. A Waterloo Region Family Network Family Resource Coach will be onsite at EarlyON locations this fall. Drop in, ask questions and gain 1:1 support if needed. Dates and times are listed below. No registration required. A KEyON account is required to attend the EarlyON location.
| Location | Dates | Time |
| EarlyON | Water Street 73 Water St., N., Unit 105 Cambridge | Tuesdays September 20th October 18th November 15th December 20th | 9:30 – 10:30am |
| EarlyON | Riverside 250 William St., Elmira | Tuesdays September 13th November 8th | 9:30 – 11:00am |
| EarlyON | St. Boniface 225 Starlight Avenue, Breslau | Wednesday September 21st | 10:00 – 11:00am |
| EarlyON | Oak Creek 80 Tartan Avenue, Kitchener | Wednesdays October 19th November 16th December 21st | 10:00 – 11:00am |
| EarlyON | Roger Street 161 Roger St., Waterloo | Wednesdays September 14th October 12th November 9th December 14th | 10:00 – 11:00am |
| EarlyON | Cedar Creek 55 Hilltop Drive, Ayr, Ontario | Fridays October 14th December 9th | 9:30 – 11:00am |
Visit our