Toy library sees name change

Recently chosen as a site for a provincial program to improve childhood development, the Fort Frances Toy Lending Resource Centre, located in the Children’s Complex on Portage Avenue, now has a new name—the Fort Frances Family Resource Centre/Ontario Early Years Centre.
“It’s a new initiative, based out of Kenora, but there’s satellite centres here, and in Emo, Rainy River, and Atikokan,” said Audrey Tyrvainen of the Early Years Centre.
“Our purpose is to provide programming for children, aged 0-6, to get them ready for school,” she added, noting that while the resource centre has always done that to an extent, it now has access to extra funding—meaning more programming and even easier access for the public.
“Now, we can offer free memberships to borrow toy library items,” said Tyrvainen, adding she hopes that waiving the previous $25/year fee will encourage even more parents and caregivers to use the services there.
Focusing on educating and socializing youngsters, children’s programs starting up next month at the Early Years Centre here include “Great Beginnings” (for parents with children aged infant to 18 months), “Come Play With Me” (parents/caregivers and children aged 18-30 months), “Fun & Fitness” (parents/caregivers with children aged three-six), and “Circle of Friends” (for children of any age).
Interested parents and caregivers may call 274-8588 for dates and times of these programs. There are no fees to join these.
The centre also will be offering workshops and training during September and October. The workshops include a breast-feeding information session and “Ask a Professional Resource Teacher” sessions on child development, discipline, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and more.
Training course will include infant massage and Red Cross First Aid/CPR certification. Interested parents and caregivers can call 274-8588 for dates, times, and fees of these programs.
An open house and carnival to celebrate the opening of the Early Years Centre and the town’s centennial will be held Saturday, Oct. 25. More details will be announced in the future.
The Early Years Centre is open to the public. Drop-in play is welcome Tuesday through Saturday, except when there are other programs and workshops going on.
Not necessarily new elsewhere in the province, the centres are new to this region. Their origins, however, stem back to May, 2001 when former Community and Social Services minister John Baird, also the minister responsible for children, announced details of his government’s Early Years Plan—a $114-million investment in programs and services to support young children and their families.
According to the government, the Ontario Early Years Plan is meant build on existing partnerships, programs, and services to benefit all parents with children up to age six.
The plan supposedly fulfills the new way of thinking outlined in the Early Years Study co-chaired by Dr. Fraser Mustard and the Hon. Margaret McCain.
Early Years Centres—accessible to all children and families—serve as a focal point for communities, allowing different groups and agencies to come together and work with parents to support their children.