The Ontario Early Years is a provincial program that is provided across the province for families of young children. Newtonbrook United Church rents space for such a program in the Willowdale area.

Since the summer of 2004, every Thursday morning from 9:30 to 11:30 am, the auditorium of Newtonbrook United Church provides a wonderful big play space for the many families in the area with children from birth to 6 years who attend the program.

Program staff and volunteers greet the families, introduce them to each other, answer questions and give them information in the many areas that parents and caregivers have interest. For instance if they are new to they area, they may not be aware of the playgrounds and swimming pools that are nearby.

Tables are set up with a variety of crafts such as gluing interesting things together, drawing wonderful pictures or working on puzzles, even having a tea party. On the floor are mats to play with more toys, build big things and knock them down. There are riding toys and balls to roll on the floor and sometimes convince Mom or Dad or Grandpa to play a game. There is a box of children’s books on a mat with pillows to sit on while reading and or looking at pictures.

The children love all the space there is in the auditorium to just run around and lots of running is done. Snacks and juice, donated by the parents, are available for the children to have while sitting at a little table – that is if they can pull themselves away from the play they are enjoying. Coffee and tea are provided by the program for the parents or caregivers.

The last 20 minutes is the time for everyone to quickly help put all the toys away and then to sit on the floor to end the morning singing songs that they’ve come to love with one of the staff leading their interactive singing.

There are two volunteers from Newtonbrook United Church. One is at the door as families come and she greets and registers them and makes sure everyone has a nametag. Another makes the coffee and tea, sets out juice and food for the children, chats with the parents and washes dishes although the parents and caregivers do much of the clean-up.

For further information on the Ontario Early Years Centres, please access www.gov.on.ca/children/oeyc