Programs at Marpole Oakridge Family Place

Below find information about all the programs currently housed at MOFP. Click the one you are interested in finding more information about.

Playroom Show/Hide Details

Birthday Party Rentals
- Use our space for your birthday party. Full kitchen, playroom and seating area available.
  Contact: Tracy Howard: Executive Director
Drop-in Hours
- Please note our drop-in hours are: Monday - Friday 9:00am-12:00pm
  Contact: Carol Chu; Playroom Coordinator
Drop-In Program
- The family drop-in program is for parents and caregivers with children aged infant to early 6 years old.
- It is $1 per family per visit. Membership is $10 for the calendar year.
- The playroom is open for drop-in visits Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm.
  Contact: Carol Chu; Playroom Coordinator
Health Policy
- Marpole Oakridge Family Place has developed a health policy that states:
  1. If a parent/caregiver, child, staff or volunteer member is ill they will not attend the centre until well. Includes: diarrhea, fever, vomiting, ear or eye infection, running noses that have colored mucous, bad coughs, flu, colds, strep throat and any childhood diseases in the contagious stage.
  2. Parents/Caregivers will be notified of any outbreak of childhood diseases.
  3. Clients should not bring and eat food in the playroom except in the snack area as some children may have food allergies that are life threatening.
  4. This is a nut free environment.
  5. This is a scent free environment.
    Contact: Carol Chu; Playroom Coordinator
Hop with Carol
- Come and join the fun of this energetic and educational circle time.
  Contact: Carol Chu; Playroom Coordinator
Music with Tara
- Tara draws the children in through songs, movement and instruments and keeps them entertained and participating the whole time. Parents and children alike enjoy this innovative and creative circle time.
- Thursdays 10:00-10:45am
  Contact: Carol Chu; Playroom Coordinator
Playroom Policy and Guidelines
- Playroom guidelines:
  - first visit is free, next visit please fill in a membership form. Memberships are $10 for the year (memberships run January-December) with a $1 drop-in fee per family per visit
  - sign in each day
  - children should be accompanied by an adult at all times (16 years or older)
  - please supervise your child’s play. Be within view to observe and assist him/her when needed. Playing together is encouraged
  - encourage and assist your child in cleaning up when finished with a toy
  - help children to keep food/drinks, toys and playdough in designated areas
  - put toys that have been in a child’s mouth into yellow bucket on top of paint easel. Staff will wash them
  - in consideration of children and adults with serious allergies, Family Place is a “nut free” and “scent free” zone. Please do not bring any foods with nut ingredients to Family Place
  - hitting, spanking, and yelling are not tolerated. Staff can help with alternative forms of guidance and discipline
  - please sit with your child at circle time; this shared time together created a positive learning experience for you and your child
  - no running in the playroom. Twice a week we offer active play opportunities in the gym upstairs
  - keep bathroom and kitchen doors closed for the safety of the children
  - disinfect change table after each use and place dirty diapers in plastic bag in garbage
  - remember to take your child’s art work home at the end of the day
  - please stay home if you or your child is sick
    Contact: Carol Chu; Playroom Coordinator
Riding Toys
- Child size cars and wagons, tricycles and other various toys to ride on and share with a friend. Come along and join us for this fun time.
- Monday and Wednesdays 10:15-10:30 for children 0-3
- Monday and Wednesdays 10:30-11 for children 3-6
  Contact: Carol Chu; Playroom Coordinator
Snack Sharing
- The last Friday of the month, Marpole Oakridge Family Place has snack sharing. Feel free to bring in a healthy snack to share with the group and enjoy the delights brought by others.
  Contact: Carol Chu; Playroom Coordinator

Parent's Programs Show/Hide Details

'Nobody's Perfect' (Mandarin/Cantonese)
- Nobody's Perfect Parenting Program is a 8 week parent education and support program for parents with children up to 6 years of age. The Nobody's Perfect Program in Mandarin/Cantonese is offered once a year. Childminding is provided for chidren 18 months to early 6 years of age. Preregistration required.
- In the program you will:
  - Learn how to understand your child better
  - Share ideas, tips and experiences with other parents
  - Gain information on children's health, safety and behaviour
  - Develop new skills for coping with stress
    * All resources are provided in Chinese
  - Each session includes nutritious snacks.
  - The date for the next Chinese Nobody's Perfect is TBA
    Contact: Carol Chu; Playroom Coordinator
'Nobodys Perfect' Parenting Program
- Nobody's Perfect is a 6 week parent education and support program for parents with children up to 6 years of age. Childminding is provided for children 18 months - 6 years of age during the program.
- In the program you will:
  - Learn how to understand your child better
  - Share ideas, tips, experiences with other parents
  - Gain information on children's health, safety and behaviour
  - Develop new skills for coping with stress
- The next Nobody's Perfect in English will start in January 2010 and will be on Thursday evenings from 6 - 8 pm. Supper will be served and child minding will be provided.
- The cost for this program with supper and child minding is $50 per family which includes supper for the registered parents and children and child minding for the 6 week program.
- Must register in advance and must have 8 participants registered for the program to go ahead.
  Contact: Tracy Howard: Executive Director
Dad and Me Morning
- How does bacon, eggs, toast, hash browns, tea, coffee, juice, milk, muffins, and fruit waiting for you every Saturday morning sound? Dads and children aged 0 - 6 years are welcome to come and enjoy a wonderful hot breakfast provided by us and then join us for circle time where we will have an interactive circle time singing, telling stories, and having fun.
- Come meet other dads and children in the community.
- FREE for members (subsidy for membership is available. Membership is a one page form filled out the day of the program and is $10 for the calendar year).
- Registration is NOT required. Hope to see you there.
  Contact: Tracy Howard: Executive Director
English Parent & Baby Group
- An educational and support group for parents with children from 0-1 years old.
- The group is led by a facilitator who covers topics such as health, nutrition, safety and child development.
  Wednesdays 1:00 - 2:00 pm
  Contact: Carol Chu; Playroom Coordinator
Mandarin Parent & Baby Group
- An educational and support group for parents with children from 0-1 years old.
- The group is led by a Mandarin-speaking facilitator who covers topics such as health, nutrition, safety and child development.
- Thursdays 1:00 - 2:00 pm
  Contact: Carol Chu; Playroom Coordinator
Mother Goose Cantonese and Mandarin
- An innovative program that helps parents and their babies get an early start on the road to literacy and strong language skills with songs, nursery rhymes, stories and mutual support.
- In this program for parents children 0-36 months old, you will
  - Learn a repertoire of rhymes, songs and stories
  - Enjoy strengthened bonding with your child in a fun atmosphere
  - Support your child on the road to literacy and language development
  - Develop new skills for dealing with cranky, fussy times
- Each session includes nutritious snacks
- Next Mother Goose in Chinese is TBA
  Contact: Carol Chu; Playroom Coordinator
Mother Goose English
- An innovative program that helps parents and their babies get an early start on the road to literacy and strong language skills with songs, nursery rhymes, stories and mutual support.
  In this program for parents and children 0-6 years old, you will:
  - Learn a repertoire of rhymes, songs and stories
  - Enjoy strengthened bonding with your child in a fun atmosphere
  - Support your child on the road to literacy and language development
  - Develop new skills for dealing with cranky, fussy times
- The next session of Mother in English is starting in September on Thursday nights from 6 - 7:30 pm. It will start with supper for the family and move into play time finish with circle time.
- There is a cost of $50 per family for this program and that includes supper for the whole family for 10 weeks.
- Register in advance.
- There must be 8 participants registered in order for this program to proceed.
  Contact: Tracy Howard: Executive Director
One-on-one Parenting Support and Referral
- Assistance with specific parenting and child development issues.
- This service is available by appointment.
- Book an appointment for referrals or any questions you may have about parenting children 0-6.
  Contact: Tracy Howard: Executive Director
Speaker Series
- Professionals from the community speak on issues of interest to families with children aged 0-6 years.
- Examples include: dental health, child street safety, language development, childcare options, school readiness, mental health and other topics of relevance.
- If you would like to host a workshop that you think parents may be interested in, please contact us and let us know what your idea is.
  Contact: Tracy Howard: Executive Director
Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP)
- A popular 8 evening parenting program for raising resilient toddlers and prer-schoolers.
- The theory behind STEP techniques is based in the importance of enhancing self-esteem in children.
  TBA
  Contact: Tracy Howard: Executive Director

Further Resources at MOFP Show/Hide Details

Events & Activities Show/Hide Details

Financial Support for MOFP Show/Hide Details

Health Show/Hide Details

A Pre-school based program Show/Hide Details

UNDER CONSTRUCTION
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