Early Years Programs & Services

EarlyON Child and Family Centres provide opportunities for children from birth to 6 years of age to participate in play and inquiry-based programs, and support parents and caregivers in their roles. These centres offer safe and welcoming environments open to all families across Hamilton, with qualified professionals and quality programs. Families and caregivers can find support, advice, make personal connections and access a network of resources at these centres.

View a map and listing of EarlyON Child and Family Centres in Hamilton

As part of the new initiative to provide additional community supports to families, a Speech-Language Pathologist, Resource Consultant and Mental Health Counsellor are available monthly at select EarlyONs to answer questions about child development and well-being.

Bring your child (ages 0 to 6) to an Ask a Professional session and talk to a Speech-Language Pathologist and/or Resource Consultant and/or a Mental Health Counsellor for free. No pre-registration required.

What can a Speech-Language Pathologist help with?

• Do you wonder if your child should be using more words or talking more clearly at this point in their preschool development?
• Do you have questions about your child being exposed to two or more languages?
• Do you have questions about your child’s play skills or social development?
• Would you like more information about the Early Words Preschool Speech/Language Program?

What can a Resource Consultant help with?

• Do you have questions about your child’s development?
• Do you have questions about building routines for your child, such as sleep or toileting routines?
• Are you looking for strategies to address behaviour?
• Do you need tips on preparing your child for school?

What can a Mental Health Counsellor help with?

• Do have questions about your child’s social, emotional and/or behavioural concerns?
• Do you have questions about mental health supports options?
• Are you looking for a referral to community services for assessment and treatment options?
• Are you a Parent/Caregiver who is looking for support in understanding your child’s social, emotional, behavioural development and find strategies to support with them?

Speech-Language Pathologist and Resource Consultant Schedule

Mental Health Counsellor Schedule

The Hamilton Early Years system is about supporting parents and families to provide children with the best possible opportunities early in their lives. Parents are the first, most important and most lasting teachers in a child’s life.

Hamilton Parent Charter of Rights

In 2010, a Hamilton Parent Charter of Rights was created. The Charter:

• sets out shared principles and beliefs for providers to guide them around planning and delivering services that make parents feel valued, respected, and supported in their roles at each stage of their children’s lives
• reflects the voice of the community, developed through extensive public consultation and feedback
• provides a strong foundation for the future of families, service providers, and organizations that serve parents in Hamilton

Hamilton Charter of Rights of Children and Youth

The Hamilton Early Years system supports the belief that all children and youth have rights. The Hamilton Charter of Rights of Children and Youth was created with the input of over 2000 children and youth from Hamilton, in their words, through extensive community engagement. Participatory responsibilities were added to open conversations between adults and children.

The Charter was released in 2015. A tour of the children’s artwork and celebrations of the charter occurred throughout the City of Hamilton with the hope of engaging the community in discussions about rights and building awareness.

The Charter is not only about making Hamilton the best place to raise a child, but also about making Hamilton the best place to be a child.

Guidebook to the New Parent & Family Engagement Framework

In May 2011, after extensive consultation, the Parent & Family Engagement Committee released Hamilton’s Parent Charter, enumerating the rights that parents should expect to have respected in their dealings with service providers and with all organizations that they come in contact with. The Vision and the Charter set out our values. But what should those look like in practice? That is the purpose of the Parent & Family Engagement Framework.