Early Years

The Early Years team at Durham Community Health Centre supports children from birth to six years old, and their families. Services include:

– Parent and child programming,

– Parenting support,

– School readiness

– Parent respite programming.

Early Years programs are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. For children with special needs, please speak with our Early Years team at the provided contact about available supports.

Below is more information about some of the services our Early Years Team provides.

Ready for School

Ready for School is a free school-readiness program for children who will be turning 3 years of age by December 31st. This play-based program focuses on activities to enhance social-emotional growth, speech and language development, cognition, and fine and gross motor skills. The Ready for School program is available year-round; each session runs for two hours, twice per week for 18 weeks. Locations include school spaces across Oshawa in addition to Durham Community Health Centre. For more information, please call Jen at 905-723-0036 ext. 1233.

Parent Relief

Parent relief is a parent respite program that can be accessed by individuals who need child-minding support. Play-based activities and healthy snacks are provided. This program supports children ages 18 months – 6 years. To register, or for more information, please call 905-723-0036 ext. 1257.

Early Years Connection

Connect with our Early Years Health Promoter for support with healthy child development, meeting developmental milestones, parenting support, parenting tools and strategies, as well as other DCHC Early Years programming and community resources. Individual and group support are available and duration is based upon clients’ need. For more information, please call Kim at 289-356-1127.