County reopening EarlyOn Centres next week for first time in a year

WELLINGTON COUNTY – EarlyON Centres in Drayton, Erin and Mount Forest will be among those opening next week for the first time in a year.

Five facilities in total will reopen on March 22, Wellington County officials announced on March 17.

“The safety of our community has been our top priority throughout this pandemic as we continue to follow the direction of the Ministry of Education and Public Health,” stated Luisa Artuso, director of the Children’s Early Years Division, in a press release.

“We have been hearing about some families and children experiencing isolation. I am pleased to announce …We’ll be able to offer in-person indoor visits with an early childhood educator one household at a time.”

Outdoor programs, officials added, will also be offered to a maximum of 13 participants from no more than three households.

Artuso explained the centres, which provide programs and services to families or caregivers with children up to age six, are reopening with approval from the province.

The facilities have been limited to virtual services and programs since closing last March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are eager to see our families again,” said Lindsay Cowan, EarlyON supervisor, Community Resource Centre.

She said officials are looking forward to safely reopening, but they will also continue providing virtual services “to those who are more comfortable participating from home.”

To register, contact to the following EarlyON service providers:

  • in Drayton, Erin and Mount Forest call the Community Resource Centre at 519-843-7000;
  • at Shelldale (Dawson Road) in Guelph call Shelldale Family Gateway at 519-824-8498; and
  • at the Stone Road Mall in Guelph call the Guelph Community Health Centre at 519-821-6638 ext. 4.

For more information visit www.wellington.ca/EarlyON.