Ontario Early Years Centres provide FREE drop-ins and preregistered programs for parents and caregivers with children aged 0- 6 years. There’s a variety of toys, creative activities, and circle time. Tel: (416) 690-0102 Website
Ages: 0- 6 years (accompanied by parents or caregivers)
Major Intersection: Danforth Avenue & Main Street
Address: 184 Main Street, Toronto, ON
Good to Know
- Family Resource Connection OEYC is a satellite location for the Toronto Beaches-East York OEYC.
- This Centre has drop-ins for all ages and time slots for specific age groups e.g. baby time, as well as themed drop-ins e.g. music and movement, and learning activities (their calendar is not available online- call for current programming).
- The Centre is always open to caregivers with children aged 0- 6 years even if there are programs going on for older or younger children
- This is a socks only facility.
- You may bring in your own snacks but they must be nut free.
- Street parking ($) or on side streets.
If you make an inquiry, please mention that you saw this listing on the Melanie On-The-Go / Kids On-The-Go website. Thank you!
Want to give your two cents?
Share your thoughts below with other parents, caregivers and management. Only the rating and your child's age are mandatory, the rest is up to you!
Science with Toddlers: 2½ years‐4 years
Activities We Did:
Each Monday my daughter and I attend the baby music circle time at 1:30pm. I have been attending since she was 5 months old and now she is 12 months. This program is offered for children up to 18 months of age.
Good to Go!:
The employees are very helpful and friendly! This place has everything! I love the painting stations at the back and the play equipment (perfect to get your toddler active during the winter months when it is too cold to play outside).
Additional Ratings:
- Amenities: 5/5
- Value: 5/5
Activities We Did:
Each Monday my daughter and I attend the baby music circle time at 1:30pm. I have been attending since she was 5 months old and now she is 12 months. This program is offered for children up to 18 months of age.
Good to Go!:
The employees are very helpful and friendly! This place has everything! I love the painting stations at the back and the play equipment (perfect to get your toddler active during the winter months when it is too cold to play outside).
Additional Ratings:
- Amenities: 5/5
- Value: 5/5
Activities We Did:
My son (3+ years) loves all of the activities here. They have all the typical toys that drop in centres have, plus some small play structures and even a great craft and sand play area. The best free drop in centre I have ever been to or heard of.
Good to Go!:
My favourite thing about this centre is the staff. They are amazing and there are always many working. They will help out with younger kids to allow you time with your older ones (or vice versa). Amazing. They truly seem to care about my children.
Not so Much/ Suggestions for Improvement:
Everything is great… not one complaint!
Quick Tips for Others:
In my opinion, the dest drop-in since they have much better hours than anywhere else and the staff is great. There is a great eating area if you want to bring food for the kids and stay over lunch. A really great place.
Additional Ratings:
- Amenities: 5/5
- Value: 5/5
Activities We Did:
Climbers, painting, drawing, baby dolls, soft climbing apparatus (like mats), trains, cars, puzzles, blocks, sand tables, circle time, and more.
Good to Go!:
This place has a lot of varied activities to keep a toddler busy.
My little sweetheart spent most of her time zipping from the climbers to the paints. We took home two beautiful pieces of art!
I like that the staff are more hands-on with the kids than in most places, they get right in there and play with them instead of just watching.
I like the fact that there is a nice physical play area, with climbers, slides, and tunnels, and those giant mats that they can climb on and under. My daughter is quite active, and it takes a lot to burn enough energy for a nap.
Not so Much/ Suggestions for Improvement:
I DO NOT LIKE that the diaper changing area is right in the play room. I don’t like that the whole room can see my cute lil’ bum.
It’s also where the lunch tables are, who wants to smell something funky when you’re eating, or playing for that matter?
There are sofas in the main playroom so if you’re lucky, you can sit and relax while they play!
Additional Ratings:
- Amenities: 4/5
- Value: 5/5
Activities We Did:
Played with the sand box, tubs of fake “snow” (feels very neat on the hands!), lego table, cars, trucks and baby toys, circle time. There’s also painting and big soft gym mats at the front where there’s a small climbing structure with a slide.
Good to Go!:
My little guy and I loved this place. He spent most of his time playing with the fake “snow” and with the sandbox. We were there for almost 3 hours and could have stayed longer.
Not so Much/ Suggestions for Improvement:
No parking on site. I parked at Ted Reeves arena (on the northeast side of Main and Gerrard St. East) but I’m not sure if this is really allowed. You will need to leave your stroller outside but as Nancy said, there are big windows so you can keep an eye on it if your child is in the front area playing (I still wouldn’t bring an expensive stroller if you can help it).
Quick Tips for Others:
- This Early Years Centre welcomes toy and clothing donations! (Toys must be able to be easily cleaned i.e. no fabric toy donations.)
- This Centre will help you find a nanny if you are looking. (They will not do any screening for you.)
- There is a daycare associated with this Centre. Please inquire if you are looking.
As Nancy said, they have a fridge and microwave that you can use. There is a change pad at the back right next to the sink. You will need to wipe down the change pad after you use it (there’s a spray bottle on the counter). There’s a step stool children can use when washing their own hands. There are 2 round tables and small chairs for children to eat their snacks at, and 3 high chairs. This Centre doesn’t close over lunch so you are welcome to bring food for yourself and stay!
Additional Ratings:
- Amenities: 3.5/5
- Value: 4.5/5
As a solution to the stroller issue, just bring a lock and lock it to the fence!
Great idea! Never thought of that :-O
Activities We Did:
Played with the toddler toys. Including: lot’s of fun peg puzzles, building blocks, music makers, small padded climbing structure with padded mats all around.
Good to Go!:
Very bright and airy facility. Super clean and well divided into sections with rugs & mats on the floor.
One section has a completely padded floor, and has a low play structure with a small slide & padded climbing block to go up and over – it was lot’s of fun!
The other section is divided off into 3 areas with lot’s of fun toys in each. There is a puzzle table with lot’s of peg puzzles to do. And there are lot’s of toddler toys like shakers, stackers, blocks.
There is a snack area with 3 to 4 high chairs at the back. There is also a fridge, microwave, sink & kettle that you can use. All food brought into the centre must be nut free.
Quick Tips for Others:
There is no parking on site, so you must park on the side streets and walk to the centre. Socks must be worn by all. If you bring your stroller you must park it outside, and can keep an eye on it through the window.
Additional Ratings:
- Amenities: 4.5/5
- Value: 5/5