The early stages in life are important for children's learning, development, and their overall health. Our team aims to support families and their young children with resources and services that promote healthy child development.
Sleep, physical activity, connectedness, safety, and nutrition are the building blocks for children who are ready to thrive and learn when they enter kindergarten. We help support parents to meet these needs, helping their children reach important milestones. We also help parents to foster and build their children's social, emotional, and cognitive development. Parents can access our free services in many ways.
Caring for your new baby may bring a lot of questions. We are here to help. Our Public Health Nurses and Family Home Visitors can answer questions you have about:
- Jaundice
- Crying
- Skin to skin
- Holding your baby and babywearing
- Bathing your baby and changing your baby's diaper
- Caring for baby's skin
- Tummy time
- Vitamin D
- And other topics.
To receive a copy of our free Newborn Guide, contact us.
For more information about caring for your newborn, visit the Caring for Kids website.
Positive Discipline in Everyday Parenting (PDEP) is a free local parent support program, open to all caregivers of children of all ages. It promotes healthy child development and strong parent-child relationships.
Key concepts include:
- Identifying long-term goals
- Providing warmth and structure
- Understanding how children think and feel
- Problem solving and responding with positive discipline
Find our more information and sign up for free sessions in Haldimand and Norfolk.
The Circle of Security Group – Brantford is a parenting program offered by Woodview Mental Health and Autism Services that aims to strengthen parent–child relationships through evidence-based approaches.
It highlights that many parents sometimes feel unsure about their child’s needs, and the program helps them better understand and respond to their child’s emotional cues. Participants learn to recognize and support their child’s feelings, help children regulate emotions, and build confidence and self-esteem, while also developing trust in their own parenting instincts and ability to provide a secure, supportive environment.
The program is grounded in research on attachment and focuses on helping children feel safe and secure as they grow. Learn more and register (PDF).
Toilet learning is an important developmental milestone that happens over time as children gain awareness and control of their bodies. Rather than focusing on age, it is best to begin when a child shows signs of readiness, such as staying dry for periods of time, showing interest in the toilet, communicating their needs, and being able to follow simple instructions. Parents and caregivers play a key role by creating a supportive, low-pressure environment, establishing consistent routines, and encouraging practice.
Signs of readiness:
- Follow simple one or two step instructions
- Can let you know when they need to go, by using words such as pee, poop, potty
- Show interest in using the potty or wearing underpants
- Keep a diaper dry for 2 hours or more
- Wake up dry from a nap
- Have bowel movements that occur on a regular schedule
- Pull their own pants up and down
- Walk to the potty and can sit on and get off of it
- Dislike being wet or dirty
For more information on how to help your child learn how to use the toilet:
Hearing screening is used to identify and support infants who may be at risk for hearing loss.
If your baby did not have a hearing test in hospital, or requires a follow-up screen, you can register them for a free hearing screen by calling 1-866-826-4327 ext. 221 or on this website.
For more information:
Baby teeth play an important role in your child’s growth and development, helping with chewing, speech, and guiding adult teeth into place while supporting overall health and confidence. Teething is a normal process that usually begins between about 6 and 10 months, and while timing varies for each child, it can cause mild discomfort such as drooling, irritability, and a desire to chew. Parents and caregivers can help soothe sore gums with gentle massage or chilled teething items, while avoiding unsafe remedies. Establishing good oral health habits early is key.
It is important that you clean your baby’s mouth daily, begin brushing with a soft toothbrush as soon as teeth appear, and build a consistent routine to protect against cavities and support lifelong oral health.
To learn more about how to promote good oral health from birth to age 4, visit:
Your baby's sleep is very important. Good sleep habits can promote emotional regulation and healthy physical growth and development in young children.
There are things you can do to promote safe sleep habits and a safe sleeping environment for your baby. You can also reach out to us for free sleep booklets and other resources on sleep strategies.
More information:
Finding childcare is an important decision that helps ensure your child is safe, supported, and able to thrive while you are apart. It’s important to look for a safe, nurturing, and trusted environment where your child’s physical, emotional, and developmental needs are met when choosing a provider.
Planning to use childcare when you return to work or school? Waitlists can be lengthy, so it is a good idea to start researching options and joining waitlists as soon as possible, including during pregnancy.
Take time to explore options, ask questions, and observe how caregivers interact with children. Consider factors such as staff qualifications, cleanliness, routines, safety practices, and how communication with families is handled. Visiting programs, checking references, and trusting your instincts can help you feel confident in your choice.
Taking these steps supports your child’s well-being and helps build a strong foundation for their growth and development.
Haldimand-Norfolk Childcare
Brantford-Brant Childcare
Local services
Haldimand-Norfolk
- EarlyON Child and Family Centres | Haldimand Norfolk REACH
- Haldimand Pregnancy Care & Family Centre
- Norfolk Pregnancy and Family Resource Centre
- Norfolk Family Health Team: Community Programs Archives – Norfolk Family Health Team
- Haldimand Norfolk REACH: Parents & Caregivers | Haldimand Norfolk REACH
City of Brantford and Brant County
Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississauga’s of the Credit First Nation
Other services
- 211 Ontario – A helpline that easily connects people to the social services, programs and community supports they need