Parenting and Family Literacy Centres

Parenting and Family Literacy Centres are free, school-based, drop-in programs for parents, grandparents, and caregivers with children from birth to six years of age.

Each Parenting and Family Literacy Centre offers a variety of fun learning activities in a play-based environment for children while engaging parents in their child's learning. Through music, stories and play, babies and young children can start to build essential skills like sharing, early literacy and numeracy as well as communication skills.

The Centres are staffed by an ECE certified Parent Worker and provide opportunities for parents and children to:

• promote optimal child development through positive parent-child interactions
• become familiar with a school building and general routine
• establish positive home-school connections
• develop community by providing time for families to build connections with one another
• participate in a family literacy program that helps children develop and build essential literacy and numeracy skills
• get information about community resources
• discuss parenting concerns and seek referrals if necessary
• borrow age appropriate and multi-lingual books
• help children transition more easily to Kindergarten
• become familiar with the play-based, full-day, Kindergarten curriculum

View Hon. Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Education, speak about Parenting and Family Literacy Centres in the video below:

Our five Peel centres operate 20 hours per week during the school day and follow the school calendar from September to June.  Click the individual school links below for more information such as who to contact, what you may need to bring (such as indoor shoes!), and a typical day at each centre.

For further information, feel free to contact (905) 890-1010 x 2363, browse our brochure, visit the Ontario Ministry of Education website, or consider our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below.

FAQs

Do I need to pre-register?

Registration is not required.  You will need to simply sign-in each time you visit as do all visitors to our schools.

Is there a fee to attend?

No.  The program is free to all who attend.

Do I have to stay with my child in a Parenting and Family Literacy Centre?

Yes.  Every child who attends a Centre must be accompanied by an adult.

Can I bring more than one child?

Yes.  Siblings and home child care providers are welcome.

Can I come more than once per week?

All Centres are open Monday to Friday at the times listed above.  Families are free to visit the Centres as many times per week as they choose and can stay for any length of time within the Centre’s hours.

Can I bring a snack for my child(ren)?