About Us

Next Door Family Resources is a registered charity, which was incorporated in 1981.  It has an eight member board of directors comprising both program users and community members.  For many years, NDFR has enjoyed stable funding with an annual budget of just over $280,000, the majority of which is granted through a service contract with the City of Toronto, Children’s Services.  NDFR is closely affiliated with LAMP, the local Ontario Early Years Centre, and works in partnership with dozens of other community agencies. 

NDFR operates two main program streams that together, provide much needed resources for thousands of adults and children in Toronto.  With a health promotion focus, our goal as a Family Resource Program is to meet the changing needs of the community by providing responsive and flexible programs and offer inclusive opportunities for parents and childcare providers to build supportive networks and learning environments.

Any parent or caregiver is welcome to attend our programs with their children and we are particularly proud of our work with recent immigrants, low income families and isolated parents who find support within our programs.  NDFR needs to raise an average of 3% of its budget through tax deductible membership fees.  Membership fees are on a sliding scale granted upon request.  No one is ever turned away from our programs because of an inability to pay the membership fee.

• Drop-In Programs

NDFR operates four drop-in programs in south Etobicoke.  Drop-in programs operate Monday to Friday, primarily in the mornings and are for children from birth to six years old accompanied by a parent or caregiver.   Activities at NDFR’s drop-in centres focus on enhancing the health and wellbeing of families and are organized by professional staff.  The parent/caregiver stays in the room and supervises their own child, which is a significant difference between our program and a daycare program.  Drop-ins provide uninterrupted play time for parents and children; a meeting place for neighbourhood parents and preschoolers; support, information and referrals on parenting, family and other issues; and age appropriate early learning, bias free toys, dramatic play, books, puzzles, arts, crafts, music, snack, circle time and more.

• Child Care Registry

The Child Care Registry is a referral service which helps parents and caregivers alike.  For parents, help is available on navigating through the child care system, locating licensed child care providers, where to look for unlicensed home child care providers, how to screen child care providers and how to establish/maintain the parent-caregiver relationship.  We support home child care providers in starting a child care business, advertising for clients, setting rates, planning activities for children and with information on how to become licensed.  NDFR operates a help line to provide parents and caregivers with a place to discuss their child care issues.

NDFR has published, A Guide to Home Daycare, which helps parents understand child care options and establish healthy and effective childcare partnerships.  Our book explains child care choices, the needs of children in daycare, how to find the right caregiver, get your family ready for daycare plus contains sample forms relating to child care (Parent-Caregiver Contract; Child Information Sheet; Telephone Interview Form for screening potential caregivers by phone; Safety Check of Caregiver`s Premises, etc.).  The book and forms are available electronically.  Additionally, the book takes you through the basics of how to start a home daycare business.   Contact the NDFR office for more information.

Funding

NDFR is appreciative of the financial support offered by The City of Toronto, Children’s Services, our members and the many individuals who make donations and participate in NDFR’s fundraising activities.

Collaborations, Partnerships and Memberships

NDFR could not provide the programs we do without the support of many organizations:

• Etobicoke Brighter Futures Coalition
• Etobicoke-Lakeshore  Ontario Early Years Centre
• Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs
• Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care
• Family Supports Institute (formerly Ontario Association of Family Resource Programs and the Metro Association of Family Resource Programs)
• LAMP Community Health Centre
• Islington United Church
• Long Branch Baptist Church
• Toronto District School Board: John English Junior Middle School
• Toronto District School Board: Second Street Junior Middle School
• Rotary Club of Etobicoke
• Toronto Public Library
• Techsoup.org

Our Mission

Next Door Family Resources provides family supports within our community for parents, caregivers and children to promote the well-being of families.

What We Do

Next Door Family Resources supports families and caregivers by providing:

• High-quality, family and child-friendly programs – i.e. drop-in centres; childcare registry offering parents and childcare providers a supportive network.

• Provide an inclusive, nurturing learning environment for parents, child care providers and children six years of age and under.

• Develop community participation and encourage leadership

• Make our services accessible to all families, especially those who are disadvantaged and who experience social barriers related to isolation, low income, language, culture and race.

• Provide opportunities for parents and childcare providers of all cultural backgrounds to build supportive networks.

• Provide formal and informal educational opportunities for parents and child care providers to promote involvement and self-determination.

• Referrals and support to link with community services.

• Educational opportunities, development and training.

• Support to those who are isolated and/or at risk.

• Leadership, advocacy, resources and volunteer opportunities.