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Best Start

We want the best for Ontario's babies and children. That means making sure they get the best possible start in life.

That's the goal of Best Start - to make sure that children in Ontario develop the skills they need to achieve success in school.

Best Start focuses on:

  • early learning and child care services
  • healthy development during a child's first years

We are working with our community partners - school boards, public health units, municipalities and child care and children's services providers - to make sure that more children and parents can access a seamless network of early learning and development services and supports right in their own communities.

Early childhood

 
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Health

Help is available for parents and children through Healthy Babies Healthy Children.

 
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Hearing

Can your baby hear? If you have concerns, the Infant Hearing Program will help.

 
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Blindness and low vision

Learn about our Early Intervention Program.

 
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Early Years Centres

Ontario Early Years Centres are places for children up to the age of six and their parents and caregivers to take part in programs and activities together.

 
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Speech and language

Find out about your child's speech and language development, and the help that's available.

See also:

A checklist for parents

To help you understand how your child is growing and developing, try the Nipissing District Developmental Screen. The Ministry of Children and Youth Services has acquired the rights to make this checklist available to Ontario parents at no charge. If you live outside Ontario, there is a fee.