Festivities at the three Regional Childcare Centres — located on Maple Avenue in Georgetown and Margaret Drive and Sedgewick Crescent in Oakville — will include community presentations on topics ranging from dental health to the environment, mystic drum workshops, storytellers and more. The activities will vary in each childcare centre.

Events are also being planned for children and their families throughout Halton. Residents should check local listings for activities in their communities.

“We know that early childhood education plays an important role in the healthy growth and development of children,” said Regional Chair Gary Carr. “Early childhood educators are providing our children with the skills that will help them to be successful in school.”

The Week of the Child, which is celebrated across the province, is designed to focus on the needs, rights and interests of children and to heighten awareness about the value of quality early childhood education.

“The Week of the Child gives us an opportunity to honour the early childhood educators that make a difference not only in the lives of the children they work with but in our communities,” said Halton Commissioner of Social and Community Services Adelina Urbanski.

Halton Region provides about 150 childcare spaces in its three centres. It also offers financial assistance on average to 1,300 children in community-based childcare programs throughout Halton.

The Week of the Child is presented in collaboration with the Association of Early Childhood Educators, Ontario.