Early Learning & Parenting in Middlesex County

Middlesex County Library Programs

Middlesex County Library offers an array of programs and services that can support early learning and is a great hub and resource for children and families.

Middlesex County Library offers programs for patrons of all ages at all of our 15 locations. Programs may be drop in, staff led or feature a special guest presenter. Check the library event calendar on the Middlesex County Library website to see when programs are happening in your community.

Family Storytimes
Storytime programs are available at select Middlesex County Libraries. Children, along with their parents and caregivers will enjoy stories, songs, rhymes and fun! Visit the Storytime page on the Middlesex County Library website for more information on locations, days and times.

ABC Read with Me Book Bag
All new and expectant parents/caregivers in Middlesex County are eligible to receive a free ABC Read With Me bag that includes board books ideal for sharing with babies. Bags are available at Middlesex County Libraries and Middlesex EarlyON program locations.

Book Collection
Middlesex County Library has available a variety of parenting books available to borrow on a variety of topics. The library also has books of all kinds for early learners to borrow! Library cards are free for county residents, and children’s items are fine free. To get a library card for yourself or your child, visit any Middlesex County Library with ID and proof of address.

For more information: Visit the Middlesex County Library website (external link) for more information on the book collection or the Getting a Library Card (external link) page for more information on library cards.

Middlesex County Library Locations

EarlyON Programs

Click here to find information on EarlyON Child & Family Centre programs and locations across Middlesex County.

EarlyON programs are an initiative of the provincial government and are where children from birth to six-years-old, parents and caregivers connect, learn and grow together! EarlyON programs provide play-based learning opportunities that allow children to develop their social and emotional skills, reach developmental milestones and begin their journey of lifelong learning.

They are welcoming places that also offer families a range of services including:

playgroups with crafts, music and stories
programs to introduce children to math, science, and reading
new baby support
parenting workshops and information on children’s development, behaviour, safety, and nutrition
and more!

Middlesex County Library is contracted to provide EarlyON Services within the County of Middlesex. Services are delivered through ten main locations across six of the eight municipalities, supplemented by seasonal outdoor programs in several locations and occasional pop-up programs in additional communities. Operating multiple EarlyON locations across Middlesex County helps to ensure broader access to early years programming for rural and smaller communities.

Community Connectors
EarlyON facilitators are knowledgeable and trusted professionals equipped to help connect Middlesex families to the services and supports they need. Staff are able to provide families information on services including whom and how to connect and key resources relevant to the service or support.

Email earlyon@middlesex.ca or call 519-666-6227.

Parenting Support Services

TVCC Education and Participation
Various educational opportunities are offered through TVCC for parents, caregivers and community members. Many of our virtual workshops are free and open to all. We cover topics such as Toilet Training 101, Sleep...How to help your child get more, Feeding 101, Building Skills Through Play and more!

EarlyON Programs offer opportunities for parents to connect and ask questions in a safe environment. Staff are also able to support you in seeking information and connect you with the community. Contact Middlesex EarlyON for more information on parenting resources and programs:
Email: earlyon@middlesex.ca
Call: 519-666-3227

Middlesex-London Health Unit provides telephone advice to parents and caregivers. Have questions or concerns about parenting, or caring for your infant or child call 519-663-5317 to speak with a Public Health Nurse. Available Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Visit their website for more information.
Telephone Support for Families
Early Child Development - Middlesex-London Health Unit

Merrymount Family Support and Crisis Centre
Merrymount is a caring organization committed to providing around the clock support and crisis care for children and families. A child’s development and overall success can be attributed to a number of factors, such as the parenting the child receives and the quality of the attachment relationship. At Merrymount, parenting matters!

Our holistic education and relationship focused programs, address the needs of parents to increase parenting capacity and promote positive developmental and mental health outcomes for their child.

Parents are eligible to attend our parenting programs if they have full or part time custody, or substantial access to their child. Parents must register themselves for a group; we do not accept third party referrals. These programs are offered virtually.

For information or to register for any of these programs, please contact (519) 434-6848 ext. 253 or email slockie@merrymount.on.ca

More information on Merrymount's renting programs can be found at www.merrymount.on.ca/parenting-groups.

Interwoven Connections
Interwoven Connections supports families with experiences of kinship, customary care, and adoption. Offer peer support networks, support groups, events, links to resources, podcasts and videos, and more.

Parent and Caregiver Resources (Welcome Package)

Information on Indigenous Services
Health and social services for Indigenous communities are often a combination of traditional healing, primary care, cultural programs, health promotion programs, resource centres, community development initiatives, and social support services. Indigenous peoples are the descendants of the original inhabitants of North America, who identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit.

The three First Nations communities closest in proximity to Middlesex County and the City of London are: Chippewa of the Thames First Nation (part of the Anishinaabe); Oneida Nation of the Thames (part of the Haudenosaunee); and, Munsee-Delaware Nation (part of the Leni-Lunaape).

Indigenous Programs and Resources
Do you or your child identify as First Nations, Metis or Inuit? Do you live in the Middlesex County, London, Chippewa, Munsee or Oneida area?

Infant, Toddler & Preschooler Book Bundles
These bundles provide Indigenous children and their caregivers a comprehensive resource which includes a collection of quality culturally enriched books, Indigenous Children’s Music and community-based resources for Indigenous Families. We can help connect you! Email or call Middlesex EarlyON for more information: earlyon@middlesex.ca or 519-666-3227. You can also check out this video or promotional brochure to learn more about Aboriginal Babies & Beyond Coalition Book Bundles, Medicine for the Mind, Body and Spirit. Or visit myabbc.ca

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
The Aboriginal Babies and Beyond Coalition, along with London's Child and Youth Network, is providing books selected from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to children living on and off reserves in London and Middlesex County. Books geared to children up to five-years-old can be delivered for free to those identifying as First Nations, Metis or Inuit. Check out the promotional video or the promotional brochure. For more information or to register:

For Chippewa, Munsee, Middlesex, London email Jacquelyn Keep at jkeep@cottfn.com
For Oneida email Trudy Antone at trudy.antone@oneida.on.ca

LEAP - Learning, Earning and Parenting

Learning Earning and Parenting (LEAP) is a program provided to eligible Ontario Works clients. All parents in receipt of Ontario Works, who are under the age of 18 must participate in the program to remain eligible for OW. Parents between the ages of 18 to 25 may voluntarily participate.
The participants must complete:

a high school diploma or equivalent
complete a minimum 35 hours in an approved parenting program
actively participate in job searching activities with the support of the OW employment staff.

Once a LEAP participant has successfully completed all of the LEAP requirements, they are eligible to receive a $500 bursary which is available for their post secondary education path or may be saved for their child(ren)’s education. Talk to your caseworker for a referral to LEAP. For more information visit the County of Middlesex website.

Need More Help?

Community Connectors are fundamental to helping Middlesex County families get connected to the services and supports they need.   Contact a Community Connector by phone, email or in-person. Visit the Community Connector page for more information.

For More Information

For more information on early learning and parenting you can visit the Pregnancy to Preschool page on Familyinfo.ca.

Feedback
Edits and Suggestions for Existing Services

Have general feedback on middlesexfamilyconnections.ca?  Have suggestions on services or service agencies you would like added that are currently not included in the portal?

Contact Nadine Devin, Program Manager, Middlesex County Library, ndevin@middlesex.ca.

Edits and Suggestions for Existing Services
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