Oak Park Moms and Tots: Who We Are...
Oak Park Moms and Tots began as a small group of 6 moms that started meeting in
each others homes in November 1999. Last year we supported 500 families at our
centre at 2530 Sixth line at the North West corner of River Glen & Sixth Line.
We have an elected (October) board of directors that guides the program based on
community input. You will find our
constitution and board descriptions here.
Some people think that because our name is Oak Park that we only serve the Oak
Park Community. The group began in Oak Park 10 years ago by a group of six women
who were feeling isolated and could not find any local programs. The centre is
still located near the Oak Park neighbourhood but in fact only 12% of the
families who attend live in Oak Park. The other families come from all over
Oakville. Our focus is on serving families who live in North Oakville (above
Upper Middle Rd.) but everyone is welcome. Moms, dads, grandparents and
caregivers all come out to our programs.
We provide a centre for neighbours to meet and support each other. The programs
we provide are a reflection of what our members have requested. This truly is a
meeting place for the local community, where people can have a say in the
services that are provided. Our programs rely on the support of our 60
volunteers. (Volunteers provided 90% of work hours last year.) Our
volunteers help with all our programs. If you have an idea for a
program/service that you think is needed then please contact us so that we can
help you put it in place or find others who are interested in organizing it.
We run drop in programs 5 days a week, a parented preschool, toddler time, Child
Development Resource Centre, Social skills programs, baby program, children’s
reading & tutoring club, food bank, parenting workshops, Spanish Circle, German
circle, Japanese circle time, Muslim swim and other neighbourhood activities for
parents and their children.
We have recently added some paid programs to our services. We are running a 2.5
hr program for preschoolers once a week and hope to expand to other days. We are
providing ballet classes for young children. The classes are all beginner, six
weeks in duration and are affordable. We are interested in expanding on this
idea and would like to offer more classes on various topics. (martial arts, art,
craft, music) If you know of anyone who would like to teach with us please
contact us.
We also provide community space for Prenatal classes, Par T Perfect
Birthdays, Wee Hands Sign Language, ABC Print Club, Boot Scootin’ Baby, Animated
Piggies, Snuggie Fit, Infant Massage, Itsy Bitsy Yoga, Lactation support, Down
Syndrome Assoc., and Autism Ontario.
The centre is a home away from home so members are all expected to chip in and
assist with tidy up, making coffee, and sometimes to lend a hand by photocopying
or cutting out something in preparation of a craft for the children.
A typical drop in will have an opportunity for children to play with our great
toys and spend time learning in independent play while the parents can catch up
with other families. Parents can make coffee or tea and we have covered coffee
mugs provided. Please clean up after yourself and make a coin donation so our
volunteers can keep the coffee & sugar coming! Play is an important time for
children, where they learn social skills, develop and expand their language
skills, develop independence and improve their small and gross motor skills.
There will also be a craft, Play Doh and or a sensory
table for the children to explore. Parents do need to keep an eye on their
children and staff will assist when needed. Part way through the drop in time
the staff person will put on a tidy up song and the children, with parent
assistance will tidy up to get ready for circle time. Most shelves are labelled
to assist with tidy up.
Circle time consists of songs, rhymes, finger plays, a book and instruments.
There is always some repetition in each circle so the children feel confident in
the songs. Circle time will reflect different seasonal themes. These themes are
posted on the bulletin board behind the front desk. Circle time develops
language skills, sense of self, independence, confidence, small & gross motor
skills, and helps prepare children for school. After Circle time is over
families get ready to leave.
Specific details on our other programs are found under
"Program Details"
on this site, listed by their name. i.e. Baby & Tot, Parented Preschool etc
Our bulletin board at the Centre has flyers on all the upcoming programs. When
you attend your first program at the centre you will get a membership form and
that has a section for your email address. If you include your email then you
will get a monthly email update. The email update is also posted on this website
under "Program Information". Community information can be found on this website
in various places and in the pamphlet holders at our centre. We have a public
health nurse that visits the program regularly and can assist with information
and referral as can our program staff. You will find community information in
various areas of this site by topic and the
front page of this site has links for community information,
and our financial supporters.
Our budget is $100,000 per year and we are grateful for the funding we receive
each year from our funders. Please see our Sponsor page for details. We also
rely on the support of local businesses and community members to cover our
costs. Our funders only fund us for one year at a time so we must re-apply each
year. Members who are able to afford it are asked to contribute $45 per year to
help off set our expenses.
Our annual report with our financial audit can be found on our website. Our
budget consists of about $40,000 in rent, $46,000 in salary, $4,000 for
insurance and audit, $7,000 program supplies.
We strive to be responsive to the needs and suggestions of our members to the
best of our ability, so that our programs continue to meet the needs of families
in North Oakville. Our centre is a reflection of the needs, talents and gifts of
our neighbours and friends. If you have an idea for new programming please let
us know.