Community Resources
Click on the links to learn more about the various community partners and resources that related to child care in our community. If you have questions regarding how these resources can support your family, please contact the agency directly or speak to your centre supervisor.
CHILD CARE SUBSIDY OFFICE
Owl Child Care Services offers space at all of our locations for subsidized child care. Parents may contact the subsidy office for information on qualifying for assistance. The subsidy program is administered by the Region of Waterloo.
Please note that should you receive subsidy and then not be approved at a future time, you will be responsible for the full costs of child care at that time.
CITY OF KITCHENER / CITY OF WATERLOO
You are simply one click away from finding out all that you need to know about living in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. You will find current information on all that there is to experience. Together, we will build innovative, caring and vibrant cities with safe and thriving neighbourhoods.
COMMUNITY CARE ACCESS CENTRE OF WATERLOO REGION
The CCAC of Waterloo Region assists, directs and supports residents of the region in determining, coordinating and ensuring that the services they require are provided.
CONESTOGA COLLEGE OF APPLIED ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY
Owl Child Care provides the opportunity forcollege students enrolled in the Early Childhood Education Program to be able to do placements in our centres. This enables these students to gain hands-on experience working with children at different age and developmental levels, in different settings. The ECE Professional Resource Centre is also housed at the College.
CREATIVE LEARNING STATION
The Creative Learning Station provides opportunities for networking, knowledge transfer, professional development and recognition for the early learning community, parents, teachers, community groups and the general public. As a professional resource centre, the Creative Learning Station aims to promote shared learning and community engagement to support those who mentor, coach, engage and interact with children and youth: at home, at school, at play. Memberships are now available for the Early Learning and Child Care community, teachers, scrapbook enthusiasts, Guide/Scout leaders, and the general public.
HEALTHY BABIES, HEALTHY CHILDREN
www.region.waterloo.on.ca;
click on Public Health and select Healthy Babies
Healthy Babies, Healthy Children is a program funded by the government of Ontario for pregnant moms and for families with young children up to the age of 6.
The program provides prenatal and post partum information and offers support at any time for families of young children.
KIDSABILITY
KidsAbility is a dynamic, multi-faceted organization that serves children with a wide range of special needs. This includes children with developmental disabilities and delays related to premature birth, medical syndromes such as Down syndrome, coordination disorders, and autism; physical disabilities such as muscular dystrophy, spina bifida and cerebral palsy; and communication difficulties in language, articulation, fluency and voice.
kidsLINK
kidsLINK offers a variety of workshops for Early Childhood Educators and parents and has a resource library available for use.
If needed, kidsLINK has qualified staff who will come into our programs, assess children and provide modification suggestions that will help benefit children with behaviour and aggression issues.
K-W HABILITATION SERVICES
please call: 884-8080
The Preschool Outreach Program is a division of K-W Habilitation Services designed to meet the needs of children who have developmental handicaps or delays. Child care centres are able to obtain the support of a resource consultant for classrooms where there is a child with developmental delays. Resource consultants are able to provide suggestions and program modifications to assist the teaching staff to develop a broad based teaching plan. An ECE support teacher may also be obtained where the needs of all the children in the classroom would not be met without this support teacher. If needed, kinesiologists are also a part of the team, and available to provide support for children with difficulties ranging in areas from sensory to physical development.
LET'S TALK SCIENCE / WINGS OF DISCOVERY
Wings of DiscoveryTM is a comprehensive discovery-based program for young children (infant to age 5) that builds important life skills, self-esteem and inspires discovery by engaging a child's innate curiosity about how the world works.
MINISTRY OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES
All Owl Child Care centres are licensed annually by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. Working together ensures that our programs meet standards set by the Day Nurseries Act. Through this website, you are able to access current information and articles provided by the Ministry.
ONTARIO EARLY YEARS CENTRES
The Ontario Early Years Centre provide places where parents and caregivers can find out answers to their questions, find out about available services for young children in the region, and speak with others in the community.
REGION OF WATERLOO: PUBLIC HEALTH
The Region of Waterloo Public Health department has a commitment to building healthy and supportive communities. Health professionals and support staff work to enhance the health of all individuals living within the Region of Waterloo.
SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB
Owl Child Care Services is involved in theScholastic Book Club where staff and parents are able to place book orders monthly. We promote early literacy and the love of books for young children and their families.
SPECIAL NEEDS ACCESS POINT (SNAP)
All referrals for services that support children with special needs in child care settings are done through this single point of access for service. Referrals will be forwarded to the appropriate agencies.
"SPOT" PROGRAM
S - Speech and Language
P - Physical
O - Occupational
T - Therapy
The SPOT program supports teachers and child care providers in their programs as they encourage physical development, and the development of speech and language in children from birth to 5 years.
"TODAY'S PARENT" MAGAZINE
"Today's Parent" offers current information and articles from a Canadian perspective. The magazine is available monthly, covering a variety of topics for parents of children at all stages of life.
WATERLOO CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
A number of years ago, the Waterloo Catholic District School Board and Owl created a partnership that has enabled children and families to have a positive experience with the transition from child care to school. Focusing on school-readiness curriculum enables children in our programs to be prepared for the challenges of kindergarten.