We are about to lose yet another resource from our neighbourhood

Great comments Linda, you got it 'spot on'. We shouldn't be having to fight to retain this source of 'social cohesion' in our community! Why should it be taken away from us? The answer is it shouldn't, but sadly, one of the Parenting Centre bosses lives right in Regal Heights, and she isn't voicing any support for keeping it here... what chance do WE have!

My previous comment was inadvertently cut short. Parenting centres should not be tied to a school's scores. Since they can't be in every school, they should be seen as a community resource, in the broadest sense. Twenty-eight years ago, I walked from outside of the school area to attend the Regal Road parenting centre. One of the first mothers I got to know was a recent arrival from South America. Parenting centres are important to child development ; but they are also important in reducing the social isolation of care-givers and in promoting social cohesion in diverse communities.

Parenting centres should not be about a school's "scores".

My whole family has benefited from the parenting centre these past 10 years, our community and Regal Road Public School, as well as Rawlinson have benefited from this great resource these past 36 years! Taking this away from our community is wrong, penalizing us because the system is working, is wrong! Today we are told we would not qualify for a parenting centre because our 'scores' are high... yes, our scores are improved (and on the higher side) because we have benefited from having such a resource in our neighbourhood for 36 years! If our scores were still low, then something wasn't being done properly... All three of my children have been properly prepared for starting school. This benefits them, their teacher(s), their whole class, and the Principal. Thank goodness, this year, as we struggle to adjust to the large class size of the 'all day kindergarten', a portion of the 30, three and four year old's had the parenting centre to prepare them. What on earth will happen next year if they insist on depriving us of a resource we have come to rely on?

with all the young families moving into the area, the parenting centre is needed now more than ever. please keep the PFLC in our neighbourhood!

I have brought my 3 children to this Parenting Centre. It is a wonderful place for kids to play and learn and for parenting to interact.

The centre has been such an integral part of this community. The benefits of early childhool education has been proven over and over again. This is such a valuable resource to families in and around our community.

Much can be gained from these PFL Center's Meeting others w childern of similar ages. Making new friends & acquaintances, learn a lot about parenting, share information & tips, & have a good laugh & an even better cup of Java. Your offspring will also benifit greatly particularly as he/she grows & starts to interact w others. The BEST form of support parents & caregivers could wish for

This centre has been a wonderful resource for my child and me. There has always been a real sense of community and family here. Please allow this wonderful environment to continue.

It's been almost three decades since I benefitted from the Parenting Resource Centre for each of my 3 children. We owe it to future generations to maintain such a treasure in our neighbourhood.

The Regal Heights neighborhood needs more supports for young children - not less! The area needs to retain a Prenting Centre!

The Parenting Centre provides one of the first opportunities for parents, caregivers and children to become acquainted, form friendships and ties to the community. It is a shame that it can no longer be accommodated at Regal Road but would be a true loss to the neighbourhood if it were to be relocated outside of our area. My children are much older now but still have fond memories of Carmel and benefited from this fun start to learning and gentle introduction to routines and gettling along with their peers. It also helped in establishing a new base of volunteers that have served the school and community so well over the years.

Important community resource as well as good news for the little ones in our neighbourhood,a genuine head start program

Children get wonderful socialization opportunities, parents and caregivers get the support they need. Keep this necessary resource in our community!

This is a program that is open to ALL children. It strengthens language development through the reading of stories, through singing and the chanting of poetry. It gives toddlers and preschoolers who may not have the chance to be in a paid program to be exposed to the richness of language and literature which is integral to language development. This program offers a place of social interaction for children and parents and caregivers of ALL backgrounds. It a place of connection within our community. This is the type of program that we do not want to lose because of the richness it provides EVERYBODY. Please sign.

For me the parenting and literacy centre was a saving grace. Sometimes parenting can be very isolating. The centre gave me a place where I could connect with other parents and share ideas. My son has benefitted immensely from this program.

This center serves so many children who come not only with parents, but also caregivers and nannies. So many young children benefit from this program. There is no other program like it in the area and certainly nothing in walking distance to the families it serves.

This neighbourhood needs the parenting centre!!!! Please keep it here. Every day I see more and more young children in the neighbourhood! Parents need places to go that they can walk too!