EarlyON Centre - Pinecrest Queensway Community Health Centre

On Sunday, we celebrate the fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, foster fathers, and father figures who show up in countless ways, like through bedtime stories, packed lunches, encouraging words, shared adventures, and quiet moments of support.

Fatherhood isn’t measured by perfection. It’s found in the everyday acts of love: holding a small hand, listening after a hard day, cheering from the sidelines, and being a steady presence when it matters most.

To all the dads and father figures in our community: thank you for the care, patience, guidance, and love you give. The impact you have on children’s lives reaches far beyond what you may see today.

Wishing you a day filled with connection, appreciation, and moments that remind you how deeply you are loved.

Happy Father’s Day.

June is National Indigenous History Month 🌿🧡

This month, we celebrate the rich cultures, traditions, languages, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. It is also a time to learn, reflect, and deepen our understanding of the histories and ongoing experiences of Indigenous communities.

June 21 marks the Summer Solstice and National Indigenous Peoples Day—a day chosen because of its cultural and spiritual significance for many Indigenous Peoples. Across the country, communities gather to celebrate through music, dance, storytelling, art, food, and cultural teachings.

Here in Ottawa, families can join the annual Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival, one of the largest celebrations of Indigenous culture in Canada. The festival features traditional and contemporary performances, authentic Indigenous foods, an international competition pow wow, a marketplace of Indigenous artisans, family activities, and opportunities to learn from Indigenous Knowledge Keepers.

As we celebrate this month, we encourage families to explore Indigenous stories, attend community events, support Indigenous artists and businesses, and take time to learn about the Algonquin Anishinaabe territory on which we live, work, and play.

🌈🧡 June is Pride Month 🧡🌈

Pride Month is a time to celebrate the diversity, strength, and contributions of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. It is also an opportunity to reflect on how we can create spaces where everyone feels safe, valued, and free to be themselves.

Long before the terms LGBTQ+ existed, many Indigenous cultures recognized and honoured Two-Spirit people—individuals who embody diverse gender identities, gender expressions, and spiritual roles within their communities. While the meaning of Two-Spirit is unique to Indigenous Peoples and varies among Nations, it reflects a long history of understanding that people experience and express themselves in different ways.

At our EarlyON, we believe every child deserves to grow up knowing they are loved, accepted, and celebrated for who they are. We support children in expressing themselves through their interests, creativity, emotions, clothing choices, play, and relationships—without shame or judgment.

When children feel safe to be their authentic selves, they develop confidence, belonging, and a strong sense of identity. 💛

This Pride Month, let's continue building communities where all children and families know they are welcome, respected, and valued.

🌱 Spring has sprung in our EarlyON spaces!

Come and explore the wonders of the season through our learning board at our Bayshore neighbourhood location. Featuring spring insects and fun facts it's a great way to spark curiosity and conversations about the natural world 🐝🐛🦋

Learning happens everywhere—especially when it’s hands-on, playful, and connected to the changing seasons 🌼

🌟 Little Hands Workshop Highlights! 🌟

What a wonderful time we had at our Little Hands workshop! 💛

Developed by our RECE Rim and co-facilitated by our 4th year student Rania, this program brought families together to explore, create, and learn through hands-on activities designed to support early learning and development through playful experiences. From engagement and discovery to meaningful connections, the room was full of curiosity, creativity, and joy.

📸 Take a look at some of the special moments captured throughout the workshop!

A big thank you to all the children, parents, and caregivers who joined us and helped make this experience so meaningful. We loved seeing those little hands busy at work!

🌈 Looking for something to do with your little one?

Join us at our Bells Corners EarlyON Playgroup! Enjoy play-based learning, songs, stories, and opportunities to connect with other families in a warm and welcoming space.

✨ Free programs for children ages 0–6 and their parents/caregivers.

📅 When: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9:15–11:15 a.m.
📍 Where: Westcliffe Community Centre, 681 Seyton Drive

👟 Don't forget your indoor shoes!

Come play, learn, and connect with us!

We’re excited to share highlights from our recent EarlyON Parent & Caregiver Focus Groups! 💬✨

Families shared valuable feedback about what’s working well, what barriers they experience, and opportunities for growth across our programs and services. The results were reviewed and discussed as part of our ongoing commitment to reflective practice and continuous improvement.

📄 Our new one-pager highlights:
✔ Key themes and findings
✔ What families told us matters most
✔ Actions and next steps we’re taking

Thank you to all the parents and caregivers who shared their voices and experiences to help shape our programs and strengthen supports for families in our community. 💙

👶✨ Babies grow and change so much in their first year, and every little milestone is exciting!

Join us for Baby Milestones: From Birth to Twelve Months to learn more about your baby’s development during the first year of life. From tummy time to first smiles, rolling, babbling, and beyond, this workshop will help you better understand what to expect and how to support your baby along the way. 💛

Whether you’re a first-time parent or simply looking for more information, this workshop is a great opportunity to learn, ask questions, and connect.

🎟️ Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/baby-milestones-from-birth-to-twelve-months-tickets-1989617350053?aff=ebemoffollowpublishemail&ref=eemail&utm_campaign=following_published_event&utm_content=follow_notification&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eventbrite

💛👶 Bonding begins through connection, play, and everyday moments together.

Join us for Attachment & Bonding: Playing With Your Baby, a workshop designed to help parents and caregivers learn how simple play experiences can strengthen attachment, support development, and build connection with your baby.

Discover fun, responsive ways to interact with your little one while learning more about your baby’s cues, communication, and growing relationships.

Because the smallest moments, like a smile, a cuddle, a playful interaction, all help build strong foundations for lifelong well-being.

🎟️ Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/attachment-bonding-playing-with-your-baby-tickets-1989616474434?aff=ebemoffollowpublishemail&ref=eemail&utm_campaign=following_published_event&utm_content=follow_notification&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eventbrite