Eastside Family Place’s mission is to support the healthy development of young children, parents and caregivers. Eastside Family Place (ESFP) fosters healthy child-parent and healthy child-caregiver interactions:
At the heart of the Family Resource Programs is the Drop-in. This program is for parents and caregivers with children birth to early 6 years old. Families participate in children and parent/caregiver activities, circle time, special events, field trips, cultural/seasonal celebrations and ongoing food events.
Drop-in Hours
Family Drop-in:
(parents and extended family members)
Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday 9 am – 12 pm
Tuesday/Thursday 1 pm – 2:30 pm
Caregiver Drop-In
Wednesday 9 am – 12 pm
Tuesday/Thursday 1 pm -2:30 pm
Drop-in Admission Fees:
$3.00 per session per family
$6.00 per session for caregivers with more than one family
ESFP requires that everyone becomes a member to access all its programs.
Annual Membership Fee $30
Drop-In Guidelines
Be Kind
Eastside Family Place is committed to cultivating a safe(r) space that proactively fosters allyship and a culture of compassion.
- We do not tolerate any form of judgmental behavior.
Be Safe
Eastside Family Place’s goal is to support family development by encouraging child- parent/caregiver engagement.
- No running inside, no throwing toys, no war or weapon play.
- Keep hot beverages out of reach of children.
- Please refrain from eating in the playroom except for during seated snack time.
- Please do not leave your child unattended at any time. If you need a break, please ask a staff member for support.
- Please refrain from using your phone or taking pictures.
Encouraging positive behavior is essential for children’s overall development.
Keep Family Place clean and tidy
- Everyone is encouraged to keep our space clean and tidy
- Please help us care for our toys, books and arts and crafts area.
- Clean up the kitchen after you are finished having snack or lunch.
No Hitting or Hurting Adults or Children*
- Hitting by children or adults is not tolerated.
For information about positive guidance strategies please feel free to talk to one of the staff about more resources.
Please stay home when you or your child are sick (Please refer to the ESFP Health Policy)
Core Values and Practices
- Trained professional staff model age-appropriate interactions with children.
- ESFP provides a welcoming, safe, supportive and stimulating environment that encourages networking and capacity building opportunities for both adults and children.
- ESFP provides families with access to a variety of programs, resources, supports and connections to community resources.
- The Drop-In provides opportunities for parents and caregivers to learn and participate in activities that promote the healthy development and early socialization of children.
- Children have access to a wide variety of play-based activities that support early learning and development, such as painting, sand play, playdough, dramatic play, books and more. These activities support a child’s innate curiosity and creativity, encouraging learning through exploring, imagining, sharing, testing, laughing and growing. (Based on BC Association of Family Resource Programs Valued Best Practices.)
Early Learning
During the first few years of life, the brain forms 700 new synapses (neural connections) every second (Harvard University). Experiences and connections, both positive and negative, affect a child’s genes and brain connections. Healthy development starts at conception and healthy early learning starts at birth through caring and responsive relationships, with family members and caregivers, and through a safe, supportive and stimulating environment that engages and encourages the child’s learning.
Eastside Family Place provides a variety of programs and services that support early learning in preschool children, from newborn to age six. These programs and services recognize the important role of parents and caregivers in a child’s development and recognize that parents and caregivers often need personal supports, too. Consequently, ESFP offers many parenting programs and workshops that address the needs of parents/caregivers and facilitate their personal healthy development. Please refer to our Programs pages for more information.
Eastside Family Place offers a very welcoming and nurturing environment where my children can develop socially to better prepare them for school and life.”
Parent Participant
