EarlyON Child and Family Centres are free drop-in programs for parents and caregivers with children from birth to age 6, all across Ontario. Think play-based learning, songs and story time, parenting workshops, and a room full of other parents who also haven’t slept properly in a while. Most locations run on a first-come drop-in basis — no registration, no fees.
Ontario has more than 1,300 EarlyON locations in nearly 280 cities and towns. The full list below comes from the Province of Ontario’s own location data (October 2026) — the same data behind the map on ontario.ca, in a searchable list instead.
How to use this list: search by centre name, filter by your part of Ontario, filter by city — or combine them. Tap a centre’s name for directions in Google Maps, and check the centre’s website (linked under its address) for current drop-in hours before you go. Looking just for Toronto? See our Toronto-only list: Every EarlyON Centre in Toronto
Find an EarlyON centre near you
Start with your area of the province — Toronto, GTA & Central Ontario, Eastern Ontario, Southwestern Ontario, or Northern Ontario — then narrow to your city. Programs are similar across Ontario, and the best centre is usually the one closest to home.
| Centre | City | Area | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loading centres… | |||
A few tips from experience
– Hours vary a lot by location. Two centres in the same city can have completely different schedules. Always check the centre’s website or call before heading out.
– School-based centres follow the school calendar. Locations in schools usually close on PA days and school breaks.
– Arrive early for popular morning drop-ins. Some rooms cap attendance, especially in winter.
EarlyON Ontario FAQ
Is EarlyON really free?
Yes. EarlyON centres are funded by the Province and municipalities; drop-in programs are free. Some centres ask you to sign in on arrival, that’s it.
What ages is EarlyON for?
Children from birth to 6 years old, with a parent or caregiver staying with them.
Do I need to register?
Most programs are drop-in. A few registered workshops and specialty programs do ask for sign-up through the centre — the centre’s website will say.