Milestones Children's Centre
5 Shaw Valley Drive N5R 6J9 Saint Thomas, ON, Canada

Milestones Children’s Centre is currently recruiting interested individuals to joins its Board of Directors. If you are interested in more information please contact Cora Burns, Executive Director at [email protected]

Just a reminder that both the Centre and School Age programs will be closed Monday, February 15th for Family Day. We will re open on Tuesday, February 16th. Wishing everyone a safe and fun long weekend!

Milestones Children’s Centre is looking for an additional Board of Director member!

Please see the following message and video from Thames Valley District School Board regarding Kindergarten registration. TVDSB has recently released their TVDSB Kindergarten Registration video. We encourage all parents who are considering registering their children for Kindergarten 2021, to view the video and hear from a current registered family their experience in Kindergarten this year. We look forward to saying "Welcome to Kindergarten"! https://youtu.be/gNC9iXyLg3M

When it comes to mental health, now more than ever, every action counts. We are doing our part to make a difference, start a conversation, and help end the stigma around mental health. #BellLetsTalk #CountUsIn #EndTheStigma

Southwestern Public Health is offering families virtual support or home visits based on a family's needs. For more information on how they can help visit https://bit.ly/2XQZfxA

Registration processes for childcare waiting lists have recently changed in Elgin County. There is a new system called ONEHSN which makes it more convenient for families. If you are interested in placing your child on our waiting list or are looking for more information please click on the link below. www.elginchildrensnetwork.ca

Just a reminder that the Centre will be closed Monday, September 7th for Labour Day. We will re open on Tuesday, September 8th. Wishing everyone a safe and fun long weekend!

We wanted to share this wonderful idea for dramatic play at home. There are instructions for a homemade laundry area with a story to enhance the experience. Thank you to Childreach for sharing with this with us! http://www.childreach.on.ca//dramatic-play-at-home-laundry

The end of Summer is approaching but there is still lots of time to take part in these amazing activities with your children before September. Thank you to Good Housekeeping for sharing these fun ideas! https://www.goodhousekeeping.com//end-of-summer-bucket-li/

Thank you to UNICEF for these great questions and answers for supporting your childrens mental health if they are returning to or starting school this Fall. https://www.unicef.org//supporting-your-childs-mental-heal

We would like to wish everyone a Happy Civic Holiday! Enjoy your long weekend!

Just a reminder that the Centre & our School Age Summer Camps will be closed Monday, August 3rd for the Civic Holiday. We will re open on Tuesday, August 4th. Wishing everyone a safe and fun long weekend!

Take a look at these Energy-boosting games and Activities for Children https://whatmomslove.com//active-indoor-games-activities-/

Check out these amazing off-screen time activities that you can do with your children at home. https://medium.com//simple-and-fun-non-screen-activities-t

We wanted to share these fun science activities you can try with your children. Thank you to Little Bins Little Hands for sharing! Tasty science! https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/food-activities-for-k/

The virtual Teddy Bear Picnic is now live. Be sure to take advantage of this amazing opportunity for fun activities and videos. The event will remain live until July 31st, dont miss it! www.elginteddybearpicnic.com

We have successfully made it to day two of our reopening! We want to thank all of our families for their flexibility and patience as we all work together through our new procedures at drop off time, during screening, with our new communication processes, as well as the new way pick up is occurring at the end of the day. Although there may be a few understandable tears at the beginning of the day, we are seeing happy and engaged children throughout their time with us.... Thank you for trusting in us in continuing to offer safe, loving, and engaging care for your children.

Supporting the Review of the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 It has been five years since the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 was introduced as legislation that governs child care in Ontario. At this time the government of Ontario is reviewing the legislated document and as part of that review process, they are seeking public consultations via an online survey. https://www.ontario.ca//survey-seeking-feedback-child-care We ask and encourage you to share your tho...ughts for making our child care system stronger, more affordable, and more equitable for all. We need DECENT work and FAIR compensation for child care professionals and greater ACCESS and AFFORDABILITY for families. The surveys will close on July 21. Caregivers and families, click here: https://www.ontario.ca//survey-improving-child-care-famili Child care providers (those who work or volunteer within the child care sector, click here: https://www.ontario.ca//survey-seeking-feedback-child-care Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete the survey.

A heartfelt message from Brooke, RECE Infant Room 2.

Virtual St. Thomas Teddy Bear Picnic 2020 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, EarlyON is not able to host the Teddy Bear Picnic at Pinafore Park this summer. Instead, they have been working very hard to develop a Teddy Bear Picnic website to engage families and children in a variety of activities.... Have a look at the amazing videos and activities in the link below. https://www.elginteddybearpicnic.com/

A crafty message from Jess, another of our amazing supply staff!

A playful message from Joanne, one of our amazing supply staff!

From our Milestones Family to yours, Happy Canada Day!

A playful message from Stephanie, RECE in Preschool 4

A loving and snuggly message from Sophie, RECE from Preschool 2

A loving chalkboard message from Marilynn, RECE Preschool 2.

A special message from Deidre, Educator in Infant Room 2.

A heartfelt message from Heidi, RECE, one of our amazing Infant Room 2 Educators.

A sweet message from Melissa, a valued MCC supply staff!

A fun and heartfelt message from Karen, RECE Educator from Toddler Room 2

A special message from Lindsay, RECE Educator from Toddler Room 1

Kim, RECE Preschool 3, would like to share a special message with you!

A heartfelt message from Alysha, RECE Toddler Room 1 Educator!

Rachael from Infant Room 2 wants to share a special message!

A message from one of our amazing team members! Cheyenne, RECE Infant 1

A message to you from one of our Educators from our amazing team! Stephanie, RECE Infant Room 1

Retell a favourite moment with your child. Start by saying something like, Remember the first time you...? Share how you remember that experience and ask them...: How did it feel? What were you thinking about? You might be surprised at what they remember! Making memories together makes your special bond stronger. You also encourage them to exercise their memory and attention skills to remember and retell what happened. Source: http://Vroom.org See more

Check out this wonderful message from our Kitchen Administrator, Tina!

There are many concerning acts and actions happening in our world right now. We wanted to offer you a list of childrens books and resources about racial diversity which can give you an easy place to start destigmatizing difference & celebrating racial diversity with your children. https://www.embracerace.org//26-childrens-books-to-support

Southwestern Public Health has released a letter outlining their thoughts about how Covid-19 safety measures will be the new normal. Click on the link below to view their letter. https://www.swpublichealth.ca//2020_05_26_southwestern_pub

Hey everybody, its Jenn from the School Age Program over at Lockes. I sure am missing everyone! Ive been spending this time in North Bay with my Sisters family. Ive been extra lucky to be able to have all this extra time with Claire, Olivia and Isaac (my nieces and nephew). Weve been doing lots of fun things together. We love playing outside and going for walks in the forest right behind their house. We do lots cooking and baking, and lots of crafts. I hope everyone is enjoying all this extra time with their families and I cant wait until the day I get to see everyones smiling faces again. Sending out hugs and good thoughts to all my friends!