Wee Stay n Play Program
Every Tuesday morning from 9:00-11:30 for parents, caregivers, nannies of military members can connect, network, share parenting challenges, access books, resources while their children from ages birth- 5 years can engage in a variety of activities that meet their developmental needs in two joined classrooms that have an infant/toddler area/ parent area complete with couch, resource books, magazines, coffee or tea, a preschool area complete with art activities, science related activities, a snack time, music and story time for all parents and children together. Our program supervisor acts as a resource person who can provide support, ideas, strategies and connect parents to appropriate outside resources if needed.
*Great for families just being posted and have no
relatives or friends in the city to meet other posted
military families to help in their adjusting to a big city."
No fee required. Register by calling Cathy Turalinski at 416-633-6200 Ext. 4312 or just drop in at the TMFRC at 5 Yukon Lane, Toronto (Sheppard & Allen Road-on dennison armoury site)
Coffee Hour
We are starting a Coffee Hour every 3rd Thursday of the month for parents to share parenting challeges and successes with other miliary parents in a relaxing, casual setting.
Coffee and Cookies Provided. Child care will be provided in our casual care classroom which is equipped for childre from birth - 5 yrs for a fee of $5.oo per child.
Please register with Cathy Turalinski at 416 633 6200 ext. 4312.
Start date: Sept 15, 2011 until June.
Prenatal Classes
Starting September 20, 2011.
See the Prenatal Classes flyer for details.
Parenting Warm Line
Do you have questions or need help with parenting challenges through deployment, military separations or every day life? Call any afternoon from 1:00-4:00 p.m. to speak with our parenting consultant, Cathy Turalinski @ 416-633-6200 ext. 4312
Toy Caravan (Toy lending library on wheels)
A mobile toy library that comes every last Thursday of the month from 9:30-10:30 a.m. for parents and caregivers to borrow toys on a monthly basis. A $5.00 membership fee is required for the whole year.
Resource Library
The TMFRC has a well stocked library of resources on celebrating parenting and its challenges. Come into our centre and view our resources. We also have resources for special needs families to borrow. Parenting tip sheets, pamphlets and flyers that advertise other programs for families and children’s activities are also available.
Ontario Early Years Centres
Ontario Early Years Centres are an initiative of the provincial government that offers free information, programs and services to all parents and caregivers with children from birth to 6 years of age. These community based programs can be found in most neighborhoods across Toronto, Mississauga, Etobicoke, Oshawa, Brampton, Whitby. These free programs and services include: playgroup with crafts, music and stories, programs to introduce children to math, science and reading, pregnancy and new baby support, parenting workshops and information on children’s development, behaviour, safety and nutrition programs. Go to Google and type in Ontario Early Years Centre (name of your location ie Mississauga, Toronto etc) and you will get a list of centres in your area.
Parents and Children Together
During the year, the TMFRC offers opportunities for families to do activities with their children at a group rate or at a discount. Examples are $2.00 passes to Ontario Science Centre, free blue jay tickets, Victoria Scholars tickets, discount Wonderland tickets, etc. Please contact the TMFRC for more details.
Parent Advisory Committee
The TMFRC has a parent advisory committee that comprises of parents whose children participate in one or more of the children’s programs at the centre. They meet once every two months to help plan new program initiatives, do fundraising for existing programs, support in outreach efforts etc. To be a part of this committee and have input into the programs you would like to see develop, contact Cathy Turalinski at 416-633-6200 Ext. 4312.
Special Needs Advisory Committee
The TMFRC also has a special needs advisory committee that comprises of parents who children have special needs and who also participate in various programs at the centre. We also partner with other special needs organizations to ease transition for families being posted in Toronto with special needs children into the resources and programs they need. This committee also looks at developing new program initiatives for special needs families. If interested in being a part of this committee, contact Cathy Turalinski at 416-633-6200 Ext. 4312
For further support for special needs families, go to the Family Navigator website a resource for military families who have special needs children. It provides a quarterly newsletter with links to other military families with special needs children and their stories, provides resources etc.