A fully equipped child based play centre for parents, grandparents and caregivers to bring babies, toddlers, preschoolers or kindergarten-aged children. Different learning ‘stations’ are carefully planned around themes – always with specific child-learning goals, or outcomes, in mind. The centres toys and learning stations are completely changed every month.

• Interactive Circle Time – See a science experiment or learn the numbers on a calendar -you never know what’ll be part of the daily circle time. Ontario Early Years program staff lead a circle each morning when the centre is open. Adults and children gather together to learn songs & fingerplays and hear stories. Sequencing, colours, math skills, early literacy and counting are all part of the learning that takes place during the fun.
  
  
• Special Events – Special events are organized by the OEYC staff regularly. Learn about school bus safety and go for a ride on a bus together during the First Ride Program, join us for Family Literacy, or visit with Santa at our annual Christmas party.
  
  
• Special Guests come right to the Minden centre such as dental health professionals to check your child’s baby teeth, police, firefighters and musicians.
  
  
• Craft centre – parents, grandparents or caregivers help their child build a fun craft every visit.
  
  
• Kitchen – a full kitchen at our Minden site means you can make the most of your visit if you’ve had a long drive in with the kids. Prepare your own lunch for you & the kids before you head home.
  
  
• Borrow toys- focus on Busy Boxes, building toys, imagination builders like doll houses, trucks and kitchen centres and games.
  
  
• Books and videos for children and parents – Storybooks for toddlers and preschoolers, books & videos on all sorts of parenting challenges.
  
  
• Parent education programs on-site – learn more about being a parent with child care available while you learn. Ask more about the Move and Groove program for instance.
  
  
• Meet the Nurse – if your baby is well but you just want to have him or her weighed and ask some questions, this is the perfect time for you to drop by the centre. A Health Nurse is at the Minden Centre each month. Have your baby weighed and ask any questions about health or development. (In partnership with the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit).
  
  
• Developmental screenings– Screenings are offered to help you learn more about how your young child (1-6 year old) is doing in a variety of different skills. These can be arranged, please ask staff for more details. (In partnership with the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit).
  
  
• Outdoor Playground – the Minden OEYC has a lovely outdoor play area equipped with a variety of ride-on toys, a shaded picnic area and outdoor activities such as dinosaur days and scavenger hunts. Come join us!
  
  HOURS
• Monday: 9:30 - 1:00
• Tuesday: 9:30 - 1:00
• Wednesday: 9:30 - 1:00
• Thursday: 9:30 - 1:00

For more information call 705-286-1770

• play opportunities
  
  
• pre-math skills like matching, grouping, sorting
  
  
• peer interaction, learning to play well
  
  
• creative arts & crafts
  
  
• physical activities for large and small muscles
  
  
• music and movement
  
  
• science for preschoolers
  
  
• story-telling, language games, rhymes, finger plays
  
  
• kindergarten preparation, and getting ready for school
  
  
• cultural events such holiday celebrations
  
  
• family social events such as potluck suppers, picnics
  
  
• toy lending library
  
  
• lending of children’s books/videos
  
  
• early literacy- getting ready to read, & to print your name
  
  
• social skills like learning to sit with a group at circle time
  
  
• parent education classes, books and pamphlets