EarlyON Child and Family Centre
In-Person Programs (external link)
Drop-in hours operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the room capacity is reached, we are unable to accommodate additional families in the space. This includes both indoor and outdoor programs.
Location: Please enter through our accessible entrance at 379 Victoria Street, Toronto ON M5B 1W7
Classroom: Kerr Hall West (KHW) 167
Telephone #: 416-979-5000 ext. 554134
Health and Safety Protocols
As part of our supportive and caring community, we ask that families report any illnesses to us. It is our shared responsibilty to keep each other, our children and our sister program at the Early Learning Centre safe. By sharing information about an illness your child is currently experiencing (ex. related symptoms), we will be better equipped to handle and mitigate the spread of diseases or viruses more efficiently and effectively. Please refer to the TPH website (external link) for information regarding communicable diseases, and the Canadian Pediatric Society (external link) website for useful virus and disease information sheets. (external link)
Please email Franca Tarantino, The Manager of the Child and Family Programs, at ftarantino@torontomu.ca to alert her to any illnesses or symptoms your child is experiencing. Please consider staying home when you and/or your child is ill. We will be encouraging everyone to sanitize or wash their hands, along with their child's hands, before entering our classroom.
Lastly, we are a NUT FREE program. Please DO NOT bring any nuts or nut products to the centre or playground. Some children and/or adults have life threatening allergies and exposure to nuts could be fatal.
Thank you for working with us to keep us all safe and healthy.
Special Note:
April 2026 Calendar of Events (external link)
May 2026 Calendar of Events (external link)
Announcements:
1. May 15, 2026: We have been informed of 6 cases of HAND, FOOT and MOUTH disease in our program.
Please find information about this disease here (external link) . If you or your child are experiencing any of these symptoms, please do not attend the program as this is a highly contagious disease.
2. Tuesday May 12 and Tuesday May 19, 2026: Due to the hand foot and mouth spread in our program we will not be hosting baking club on these days. However, we will be outside in the ELC playground from 1:30-3:30, while some of the program staff thoroughly disinfect the EarlyON classroom.
3. Our program will be closed Saturday May 16th and Monday May 18th for Victoria Day.
We will welcome everyone on Tuesday May 19th at Allan Gardens from 9am-12pm, and the ELC playground from 1:30 pm-3:30pm.
Indoor Drop-In Free Play
Our Drop-in Free Play will feature both adults and children (birth to six years of age) singing, playing games, creating art, and moving their bodies together through dance and rhythm. Activities are both planned and spontaneous, providing children and caregivers with opportunities to connect and share ideas. Come follow your child’s lead with us as we explore new activities, create special moments, and much more!
Days & Times
Monday 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday 3:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m.
Allan Gardens
Come join us each Tuesday and Friday morning at Allan Gardens.
There is plenty to do at the park and we will always bring extra equipment for everyone to share.
This is a rain or shine program so, please dress appropriately.
Days & Times
Tuesday 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
Outdoor Drop-In
We are so happy to be outside again! Come join us on Tuesdays starting April 21st at Allen Gardens. The playground is full of wonderful activities to explore, along with teh extra materials we bring to add to teh fun!
The Early Learning Centre playground will be where we host our outdoor drop-in program on Thursdays and Saturdays starting April 23rd. Come and enjoy the ravine-like setting in the middle of TMU's quad!
Day & Time
Thursday 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m.
Baby & Me: Infant & Cargiver (Birth to 18 Months)
You and your baby will explore different movements together through a combination of tummy time, baby massage, singing, and soothing touch. This program brings the baby and caregiver together for quiet and active experiences by having fun with music and movement that fosters a bond of trust and playfulness. We will also have discussions on infant health, nutrition, child development, and welcome other topics, in this safe environment.
Day & Time
Thursday 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
Baking Club
Get ready to Bake! Come join our Baking Club where you and your child will have fun learning about measuring, mixing, stirring and baking together. Each week we offer a different recipe that will ignite your senses as you explore different ingredients, tastes, and textures with your child. Baking essentials are provided, and at the end of the program, you will be sent home with a delicious freshly baked treat. Sharing recipes is greatly encouraged.
Day & Time
Tuesday 2:15 p.m. -4:15 p.m.
Our Image of Children & Families
At the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) EarlyON Child & Family Centre, we believe that children should define for themselves who they are and want to be in this world. Our aspiration is for children to understand their role as citizens with rights and responsibilities and to provide experiences that promote, foster, and support children's self-identity, freedom of expression, and confidence to articulate their wants, needs, and strengths to others.
TMU EarlyON Child & Family Centre offers free, early learning experiences for children between the ages of birth to six years and family engagement opportunities that are guided by a children's “rights-integrative approach” (Di Santo & Kenneally, 2014, p. 395) and grounded in current research, theories and practices. We are committed to creating opportunities for children to make their own choices, explore materials and to provide families and caregivers with resources, support and opportunities to engage in their community.
Our EarlyON Child & Family Centre is a place for families to gather, explore, engage with others and have access to resources that will support the development of their child’s sense of belonging, identity, dispositions and independence.
The Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs) and staff are alert to where children are in the present moment and where the children might want to go next by creating an environment that promotes integrative learning and that offers opportunities to expand children's knowledge and interests. Our team of educators foster caring relationships that impart reciprocal inquiry, information sharing and conversations between and amongst the children and caregivers.
Our team achieve these intentions of co-constructing knowledge and planning together with children and families by:
- Cultivating an environment of collaboration with families, children, and the community.
- Providing opportunities for sensorial experiences that reflect the children's curiosity and inquisitive nature.
- Providing an inclusive, equitable and accessible environment.
- Fostering healthy, positive relationships and experiences where children and families feel included in the program and are represented in the space.
- Participating in research and collaborating with researchers to inform our practice.
- Participating in annual professional learning opportunities, connecting with other professionals in the field, and exploring innovative approaches to early learning and family support.
Di Santo, A. & Kenneally, N. (2014). A call for a shift in thinking: Viewing children as rights-holders in early childhood curriculum frameworks. Childhood Education, 90(6), 395-406.
ANNOUNCEMENT
The EarlyON will be CLOSED the following days:
Family Day Holiday: Saturday February 14, 2025 & Monday February 16, 2026
Easter Weekend: Friday April 3, 2026 & Saturday April 4, 2026
Victoria Day Holiday: Saturday May 16, 2026 & Monday May 18, 2026
Canada Day Holiday: Wednesday July 1, 2026
TMU & Civic Holiday: Friday July 31, 2026, Saturday August 1, 2026, & Monday August 3, 2026
Labour Day Holiday: Saturday September 5, 2026 & Monday September 7, 2026
Thanksgiving Holiday: Saturday October 10, 2026 & Monday October 12, 2026
Winter Break: Saturday December 20, 2025 - Sunday January 4, 2026 (inclusive)
E-Newsletter
Toronto Metropolitan University EarlyON Child & Family Centre distributes weekly newsletters by email. These e-newsletters provide information about our current events and how to registration. Additionally, we offer information, news and resources about upcoming events in your community and early learning resources. If you are interested in subscribing, please subscribe here. (external link)