No matter where you live in Essex County, you probably have an Ontario Early Years Centre (OEYC) near you.
Meet and learn from each other, interact with staff, learn about child development and have fun with their children. These free programs are in your community and are open to all parents, grandparents and caregivers with young children up to the age of 6 years.
- Expert advice on parenting
- Information on developmental milestones
- Organized programs and activities for parents and children that focus on literacy and development
- Support and resources
But, there are even more reasons to visit an Early Years Centre:
- It’s free!
- You can arrive and leave when you are ready.
- You can stay, play, read and sing with your children.
- You can enjoy a snack together.
- There are interesting toys and activities for each age.
- New programs are introduced frequently.
- You can borrow quality books.
- There are 21 convenient locations.
- The centres are welcoming, safe and clean.
The City of Windsor has a list of spring hours for OEYC throughout Essex County.
I have been to the Drouillard Place location a couple of times now. Everyone there is very friendly and there are loads of toys to play with. It’s nice that there are a lot of group activities and songs that go on and high chairs were available for the babies when it was time for snack (provided free of charge). This location also has a food bank and clothing bank so you can drop off or pick up necessities.
This is a great way to get out of the house and get in touch with other parents. The fact that it is free doesn’t hurt either. 
