The Early Literacy Program is a valuable service for families and child care professionals in the South Hastings and Prince Edward area. The focus of the program is to promote, support and develop an awareness and understanding of early literacy and how it influences a child’s success as a lifelong learner.

You can access the services of our Early Literacy Specialist if you:

• are the parent or caregiver of children birth to six years
• are a professional working with young children

Our Early Literacy Specialist can provide:

• support/participation in your program for families with young children
• advice, suggestions and practical strategies on how to boost children's literacy development
• print materials to increase awareness of early literacy and language
• links to other community partners such as preschool speech and language services, parenting programs and childcare programs
• workshops, seminars and courses that focus on literacy and preparation for school
• visual displays and presentations
• books and other related literacy resources
• literacy articles for your newsletter or newspaper

Licensed Home Child Care is a valuable service for families of children living in the South and Centre Hastings area. Quality care is provided for your child in the home of the approved Caregiver. Our program is licensed by the Ministry of Education.

The Resource Consultant Program is a service for families of children birth to twelve years who have special needs, or require extra support to access licensed childcare in Hastings County. The services are free.

You can access our services if you:

• Have your child enrolled or wish to have your child participate programs including Nursery Schools, Day Care Centres, Licensed Home Child Care, School-Age Programs,

You can make a referral to the Resource Consultant Program if you:

• are the parent/guardian of the child
• have consent from the child's parent/guardian

A Resource Consultant can support your family by:

• sharing information, resources and providing support
• talking with you about your priorities, needs and choices
• connecting you to resources and services in your community
• assisting you in choosing appropriate programs
• fostering and promoting inclusion for your child in the child care setting
• helping you complete applications for funding
• partnering with you to transition your child into school

Your Resource Consultant can also support staff at the licensed child care program by:

• providing funding to hire extra staff to foster and promote inclusion
• training staff in ways to develop inclusive child care settings
• consulting with staff while visiting your child in the program
• sharing resources