Tshikeksa - Early ON

EarlyON Child & Family Centre is part of the Tshikeksa’: Team.
(Consisting of Aboriginal Family Support, Prenatal and Aboriginal Healthy Babies, Healthy Children.) 
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We are an Indigenous-led, culturally-relevant safe and enriching environment for families (moms, dads, aunties, uncles, grandparents, caregivers) with their children 0-6 years old to come out and participate in FREE high-quality programming. ALL ARE WELCOME!
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Fostering strong relationships through interactive programming, support for parents and caregivers, and access to traditional and educational resources. Centres are designed to be inclusive and family-focused, offering a variety of activities that promote learning, play, and social interaction.
Providing learning opportunities for language and culture throughout daily programming. Families have access to a mix of Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe specific teachings, language, and traditions.
We prioritize land-based learning, immersing families in outdoor programming and exploration on a daily and weekly basis. Often visiting the various gardens found throughout the property and local farms to encourage participation in gardening, growing food, and hopefully begin the path toward more food sovereignty.
Facilitate inquiry & play based learning by following the child’s lead, encouraging “serve & return” between families, children, adults and staff to enhance social-emotional development, incorporating families’ interests into programming when possible, extending child-initiated ideas & explorations through questions, provocations, and investigations.
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We often collaborate with other FENFC programs to further enrich and enhance our programs, such as Aboriginal Head Start, Health Outreach, Cultural Coordinator, Traditional Foods, and more.

Referrals for children to access Speech & Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Behavioural Therapists, Dieticians, Mental Health supports and more are funneled through local community partnerships.
EarlyON has a partnership with Niagara Children’s Centre that allows us to have the same Resource Consultant (Christina) visit our Centre on a bi-weekly basis to build meaningful relationships with families, provide supports such as visual aids or techniques, bring in the Speech & Language pathologist, assist in the transition to school, and assist the adults with further understanding & giving tools, tips, and tricks to continue their child(ren)’s support plan at home and in their everyday life.

Staff provide resources for families such as; schedules, potty training, parenting, bullying, transitions, breastfeeding, accessing doctors/dentists, and can assist families with applying for subsidy, Niagara ONEList (daycare), housing, and/or food security.
 
We are open:

Monday - Thursday
8:30am - 12pm & 1 - 3:30pm
Friday
9am - 12pm
 
We are located inside Aboriginal Head Start, 748 Buffalo Road, Fort Erie.