Contact Us
No matter where you live in Muskoka, support is never far away.
You can find a listing of local resources available to support children and families in Muskoka below. If you need help navigating these resources please don't hesitate to contact us at childrensprograms@muskoka.on.ca
The Muskoka Best Start Network has created an 18-month calendar full of resources and information for families in Muskoka. If you would like a printed copy, please reach out to Children’s services at childrensprograms@muskoka.on.ca.
| Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Muskoka |
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Big Brothers, Big Sisters provides mentoring programs that link a child or youth with a role model to talk to and share the experiences of growing up. Through regular outings, relationships are developed and results in life-changing experiences for both the mentor and mentee. An in-school mentoring program and P.R.I.S.M. program for LGBTQ+ youth are also available. Phone: 705-644-9914 Website: www.muskoka.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca |
| Child Care Fee Subsidy - The District of Muskoka |
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The District of Muskoka can help with the cost of child care expenses for low to modest income families residing in Muskoka. The Child Care Fee Subsidy Program is available for families who are working, attending school or have a special family circumstance. Phone: 705-645-2412 ext. 4140 |
| Child Care - Find and Pay for Child Care |
| Get help finding, choosing and paying for child care on the Ontario website: https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-and-pay-child-care |
| Child Care Tax Benefit - Ontario |
| Find out if you are eligible to receive a personal income tax credit to help with child care costs on the Ontario website: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-child-care-tax-credit |
| Children’s Foundation of Muskoka |
| The Children’s Foundation of Muskoka provides grants to meet the recreational, cultural, medical and emotional needs of children in Muskoka. Whether it be camp, sports, recreation, dance, music lessons, or simply providing basic necessities like a bed or clothing, these grants provide opportunities for children and youth to be happy, healthy and to thrive.
Phone: 705-641-9455 Website: www.childrenofmuskoka.com |
| Children's Services Community Facilitator |
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The Community Facilitator helps families by:
Phone: 705-645-2412, ext 4415 |
| Community Living Huntsville |
| For families whose children are 18 months to 6 years old, Community Living Huntsville provides personalized services to support overall development. Resource Consultants offer developmental screenings and home programming, and can help families advocate for their children in childcare and school settings.
Phone: 705-789-4543 Website: www.clhuntsville.ca |
| Community Living South Muskoka |
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Community Living South Muskoka provides a Resource Teacher program and is also responsible for planning, developing and implementing support plans for children ages 2-6 with special needs and their families, in their home, licensed child care programs and community settings. A Family Support Program is also offered for school aged children. Phone: 705-645-5494 Website: www.clsm.on.ca |
| COVID-19 in Ontario |
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Get the latest case data and updates, learn how to protect yourself and others and get advice on what to do next if you think you might have COVID-19covid 19 on the Ontario Website: |
| Demand Responsive Transit (DRT) |
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The District Demand-Responsive Transit (DRT) is a transit service linking those in rural areas to urban centres and allowing them to connect to other services such as the Corridor 11. Riders can book rides in advance and the Blaise technology will match riders with a vehicle. Anyone wishing to travel in the service area can book rides, regardless of age or ability. |
| EarlyON Muskoka |
| EarlyON programs offer parents, caregivers, children and their families a warm and friendly spot to meet and share with one another. |
| HANDS Thefamilyhelpnetwork.ca |
| Hands TheFamilyHelpNetwork.ca is an organization providing services to children and youth and their families. Services include Infant Development, Autism Services, Behavioural Services, and more. Hands also hosts the Great Beginnings Programs for pregnant women and new parents.
Phone: 1-800-668-8555 Website: www.thefamilyhelpnetwork.ca |
| Healthy Smiles Ontario |
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Healthy Smiles Ontario is a program for kids who do not have access to any form of dental coverage |
| Huntsville Co-Op Nursery School and Day Care Centre |
| Huntsville Co-Op provides quality, licensed child care for children age 15 months to school age.
Phone: 705-787-1010 Website: www.huntsvilledaycare.ca |
| Huntsville Riverside Child Care |
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Huntsville Riverside Child Care provides warm and nurturing quality, licensed care to children 15 months to school age. Phone: 647-832-8044 Website: www.huntsvilleriversidechildcare.ca |
| Libraries |
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The Muskoka Libraries provide free programming, resources and services to community members of all ages. From parenting and picture books to children's educational programming, Libraries offer a variety of free family resources that are accessible to all. All permanent residents or property owners in the District of Muskoka and their child can obtain a Library card at each of the following locations (please note each of the Libraries are independent and are run separately by each town): |
| Macaulay Tree House Daycare Centre |
| Macaulay Tree House is a licensed child care operator located in Bracebridge. They provide quality care to infants, toddlers and children up to 4 years old as well as full day school age programming and before and after school at 3 schools.
Phone: 705-645-1956 Website: www.macaulaytreehouse.ca |
| McConnel Foundation of Muskoka |
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The McConnell Foundation of Muskoka assists people who require financial assistance to pay for eyeglasses, assistive devices, dentures and dental work Complete and Application Online: https://www.muskoka.on.ca/en/community-and-social-services/resources/Documents/MCCONELL_FOUNDATION_APPLICATION_0615FINAL.pdf |
| Muskoka Home Child Care Agency |
| The Muskoka Home Child Care Agency (MHCCA) is a local, licensed child care agency that promotes safe, home-based child care where all children, families, and providers are valued and respected. Home-based child care programs are located throughout Muskoka and may provide evening and weekend care.
New providers are always welcome. Ongoing training, guaranteed biweekly payments and support from a Registered Early Childhood Educator are just a few of the benefits of joining the Agency. Contact them for more information. Phone: 705-645-2412 Website: Muskoka Home Child Care Agency |
| Muskoka Family Focus |
| Muskoka Family Focus and Children’s Place is a not-for-profit and registered charitable organization that is dedicated to providing high quality child and family resources and educational services throughout the District of Muskoka. Though Licensed Early Learning and Child Care Centres, Licensed School Age Programs, and Parent Education Programs, they strive to support and nurture children and their families in Muskoka by providing flexible learning environments.
Phone: 1-800-461-7404 Website: www.muskokafamilyfocus.com |
| Muskoka Lakeland Childcare |
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Muskoka Lakeland Childcare provides quality, licensed care to children 2 years to school age. Phone: 705-717-3837 Website: https://muskokalakeland.ca |
| Muskoka Lakes Preschool |
| Muskoka Lakes Preschool is a licensed child care operator located in Glen Orchard Public School. They provide full-day, inquiry-based learning for children age 18 months to preschool, as well as after school care.
Phone: 705-765-2067 Website: www.muskokalakespreschool.ca |
| Near North District School Board |
| The Near North District School Board provides public elementary, secondary and adult education in the Districts of Parry Sound and Nipissing.
Phone: 1-800-278-4922 Website: www.nearnorthschools.ca |
| One Kids Place |
| One Kids Place provides community-based rehabilitation and developmental services for children, youth and their families. They offer services such as Speech and Language, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Autism and Behaviour services.
Phone: 1-866-232-5559 or 705-789-9985 Website: www.onekidsplace.ca |
| Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital – Perinatal Mood Disorders Program |
| The Perinatal Mental Health Program connects families, primary care providers and community agencies/organizations supporting families within the perinatal period (preconception, prenatal and postpartum) with mental health concerns, such as depression and anxiety with the Regional Perinatal Mood Disorder Coordinator.
Phone: 705-325-2201 ext. 3122 Website: www.osmh.on.ca/mental-health |
| Report a Concern or Complaint about a Child Care Provider |
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Learn how to report a concern or complaint about a child care provider in Ontario at the following link: https://www.ontario.ca/page/make-child-care-complaint |
| Serendipity Daycare Centre |
| Serendipity Daycare Centre is a licensed child care operator in Huntsville offering quality care for toddler and preschool age children.
Phone: 705-789-6649 |
| Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board |
| Simcoe Muskoka District School Board provides faith-based school options in Muskoka with 2 elementary and one secondary school.
Phone: 705-722-3555 Website: www.smcdsb.on.ca |
| Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit |
| The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit provides credible health information and services to support you and your family. Topics include: your new baby, your growing child, positive parenting, immunization, dental health, and more. Browse through online resources, or speak with a public health professional by calling Health Connection.
Phone: 1-877-721-7520 |
| Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions |
| Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions offers child and youth mental health services. Services also include child protection, family support, family creation through adoption, kinship, customary care and foster care in Simcoe and Muskoka regions. They are committed to working collaboratively to build a safe and strong community where children, youth and families thrive.
Phone: 1-800-461-4236 Website: www.familyconnexions.ca |
| Specialized Transportation Fund |
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The District understands that residents need transportation to meet their needs and help reduce social isolation. Some residents of Muskoka have needs not met by public transportation and may not qualify or be able to afford community-based transportation services, making it difficult to fulfill their needs. The Specialized Transportation Fund (STF) can assist people who need financial support for transportation and who do not have access to public transportation services. You can learn more about the STF program below. Call: 705-645-2100 ext. 4417 |
| Stepping Stone Early Learning Academy |
| Stepping Stone Early Learning Academy offers licensed child care at two locations in Gravenhurst. They provide a hands-on, nature-based learning environment for children age 15 months to five years.
Phone: 705-687-8448 Website: www.steppingstonemuskoka.com |
| Trillium Lakelands District School Board |
| Trillium Lakelands District School Board provides public elementary, secondary and adult education in the District of Muskoka.
Phone: 1-888-526-5552 Website: www.tldsb.ca |
| YMCA Muskoka |
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The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka provides a wide variety of programs and services for children and families across the communities of Simcoe, Muskoka and Parry Sound. |
| YWCA Muskoka |
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The YWCA offers many support programs for children and families in Muskoka such as Girlz Unplugged, Quest for Boys, Youth Co-Unite and Girls summer programs. Phone: 705-645-9827 Website: www.ywcamuskoka.com |