Sarah Sobanski
Declan gets his hands dirty in the indoor sandbox at the Old Millbrook School Family Centre. Photo: Sarah Sobanski.
On Thursday mornings at 10:30, the Old Millbrook School Family Centre’s Stay n’ Play program is in full swing. bringing babies as old as five weeks, playful toddlers, and caregivers together in a supportive and interactive environment during school hours.
“It’s an opportunity for the children, but for the mothers too,” says Preschool Coordinator Moyra Seabright. She sees mothers, fathers, grandparents and other caregivers at the free support-like group. “They have the troubles of parenthood, like being awake every night, in common.”
While Seabright is the only official staff member at the Family Centre, the gathering is largely a team effort. Parents and children work together to create the enthusiastic and light-hearted atmosphere.
Shelby examines freshly picked leaves at the Old Millbrook School Family Centre. Photo: Sarah Sobanski.
Largely funded by Ontario Early Years Centres (OEYC), the Family Centre is one of many other similar centres across the Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes region including neighbours Omemee and Pontypool. Along with their early childhood learning centres, OEYC also provides parent education programs including infant massage and strollercise, and toy-lending where members can borrow toys and books for their children for up to 30 days.
Stay n’ Play is held every Tuesday and Thursday between 9:30 am and 1 p.m. The Family Centre also runs a Drop-in Gym for ‘growing little bodies’ on the second Thursday of every month and a pot luck on the last Thursday of each month. Keep an eye out for special events, and for their fundraisers like their recent Oktoberfest dance, and annual Christmas Cookie Drive.
