Caledon Parent-Child Centre hosts grand opening and snowflake social

Written By KIRA WRONSKA DORWARD

The Caledon Parent-Child Centre (CPCC) welcomed area families and children to the Caledon Equestrian Centre to enjoy their Snowflake Social and Grand Opening on Saturday Nov. 24. The event, which included a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new EarlyON Palgrave Village site, also featured carollers from the Moura Music Studio, crafts, healthy snacks and a visit from Santa Claus himself.  The Grand Opening marked the official launch of the new CPCC Palgrave EarlyON location, which has been operational since Oct. 3rd of this year. Kicking off that launch was Executive Director Teresa Colasanti, who welcomed everyone to the event and shared her hopes that all Caledon families with young children become aware that – through the CPCC, the government of Ontario and the Region of Peel – they have access to free, high-quality programs as well as a range of other supports.

“I sometimes feel like [the CPCC] is the best kept secret around,” says Colasanti. “I really encourage people to come and engage with us, and help spread the word.”

Colasanti also went on to note that many new parents struggle in the early years of their child's life. The amount of new information concerning a child's growth in the first six years of development can be overwhelming to even the most seasoned parent, but can be especially so for first-time parents. In addition, every child's needs are unique, and children do not come with a guidebook. That is where the CPCC and EarlyON programming comes in.

Born out of tragedy when a home childcare centre in Bolton caught fire and an inquest into the event determined there were not enough supports for parents and caregivers in Caledon, the CPCC opened its first and main location in the Albion-Bolton Community Centre (150 Queen St. S, Bolton) in 1987. This remains its primary location to this day. Since then, the CPCC has grown with the Caledon community and is currently offering mobile and rural locations in Alton, Caledon East, Palgrave, Cheltenham, Valleywood and Southfields Village.

A common misconception is that the CPCC is a child care facility.  In fact, it is an organization dedicated to addressing the holistic needs of families through a complete continuum of programs. When new families and caregivers walk through the doors of any CPCC EarlyON location, they feel welcomed and know that they are in a place which can help provide their child with a good foundation in life from the beginning. Encouraging learning through play, CPCC EarlyON programming is designed to get children ready to attend school and help bridge that critical transition in any young child's life. In addition, CPCC offers a support system for parents, whose critical role is to raise these young children. The learning never stops on either end of the spectrum.

For example, on Wednesday mornings, the Palgrave EarlyON site is overseen by CPCC staff members Sarah De Cairos (RECE) and Mary Carley (MSW). A typical morning with Sarah and Mary and the families who join them at the Caledon Equestrian Park (200 Pine Ave.) would include setting up a play area with fun, educational children's activities while parents mingle and get to know other area families. Parents and caregivers always have the opportunity to share their questions and concerns with each other and with the two professionals. Sarah and Mary, as well as the rest of the staff at CPCC, are also happy to help families bridge the gap to other available services should the need arise.

The CPCC is wrapping up their 30th year of service this month. The Centre provides a hub where families and caregivers come together to make connections and exchange information and ideas with other families and child-care professionals who can assist them in the critical role of raising young children, plus refer them to other specialized services. In a rural area like Caledon, these connections are of particular importance in combating social isolation which in turn puts even more pressure on young families and caregivers.

Both the Region of Peel and the Province are increasing access to and focus on EarlyON programs, ensuring that young families get the support and information they need to give children the best possible start in life. On the CPCC website ( www.cp-cc.org ) there is a wealth of information that CCPC encourages all families and caregivers to take advantage of and become familiar with, including a complete listing of services. For general enquiries at CPCC, please email earlyyears@cp-cc.org