You’re building a life.
And raising one, too.
Find a starting point for the questions that come with pregnancy, parenting and family life in a new place.
Our detailed family coverage currently centres on Toronto, the GTA and Ontario. National information is labelled separately.
Start with your situation
Pregnant & New Parents
Find care, practical support and people to turn to before and after your baby arrives.
Choose your next step →GUIDED PATHWAYYoung Moms & Young Parents
Support for parenting, housing, learning and your own next chapter.
Choose your next step →GUIDED PATHWAYI’m pregnant and new to Toronto
A local route through pregnancy, settlement and family support.
Choose your next step →What does your family need?
Open a topic for a practical next step, a question to ask and a few places to begin. Program pages show eligibility and source-check dates.
Pregnancy in Canada
Care, health coverage and community programs are separate questions. Start by finding the right local contact for each.
A useful next step
Check your province’s coverage information and ask a care provider about arranging prenatal care.
A question to ask: “Who can help me find care, and what could it cost with my current coverage?”
- Understand healthcare in Canada →Canada-wide information
- Check Ontario health coverage and OHIP →Ontario
- Start with Toronto Public Health prenatal programs →Toronto, Ontario
Prenatal support
Alongside clinical care, community programs may help you learn, meet other parents and navigate practical needs.
A useful next step
In Toronto, start with the public health prenatal program page and ask which group fits.
A question to ask: “Do I need to register, and can a partner or support person attend?”
- Start with Toronto Public Health prenatal programs →Toronto, Ontario
- Find prenatal and postnatal support in Rexdale →Toronto, Ontario
Newborn care
Bring questions about your baby to a qualified care provider. A parenting program can help you find information and local support.
A useful next step
Identify a healthcare contact and a community contact before you need them.
A question to ask: “Who should I contact for routine questions, and how do I arrange follow-up care?”
Postpartum support
After birth, you may want support for your own wellbeing as well as for your baby. You can ask about both in the same conversation.
A useful next step
Tell a healthcare provider or public health nurse what feels difficult and ask for the appropriate support.
A question to ask: “Is individual support available, or is there a group I can join?”
- Connect with a public health nurse after baby arrives →Toronto, Ontario
- Find prenatal and postnatal support in Rexdale →Toronto, Ontario
Parenting support
Parenting support can mean a conversation, practical learning or help connecting to another service.
A useful next step
Choose the question you want help with first; ask a local program where to begin.
A question to ask: “Is this a drop-in group, a course or one-to-one support?”
- Find an EarlyON Child and Family Centre →Ontario
- Ask about Healthy Babies Healthy Children →Toronto, Ontario
- Explore family learning at Working Women Community Centre →Toronto, Ontario
Young moms
Some programs are designed specifically around young mothers’ learning, wellbeing and family life.
A useful next step
Check age at intake, your child’s age and the program’s location before applying.
A question to ask: “Does your age limit apply when I first register or throughout the program?”
- Learn at home with HIPPY for Young Moms →Toronto, Ontario
- Explore Abiona’s young-parent programs →Toronto, Ontario
- Contact Rosalie Hall for pregnancy and young-family support →Toronto, Ontario
Young parents
Age limits and who can participate differ considerably. “Young parent” is a starting point for discovery, not one shared eligibility rule.
A useful next step
Use the young-parent pathway to compare the type of support you need.
A question to ask: “Can I attend as a father, partner or gender-diverse parent?”
- Start with Jessie’s for young-parent support →Toronto, Ontario
- Ask YSM Evergreen about nursery and young-parent support →Toronto, Ontario
- Find help navigating services through Abiona’s Ujima hub →Toronto, Ontario
Parenting without family support nearby
A local connection can help you understand what is available without having to navigate every service alone.
A useful next step
Try a parent-and-child group or ask an outreach worker about local connections.
A question to ask: “Can someone help me contact another service, and is language support available?”
- Connect through Access Alliance peer outreach →Toronto, Ontario
- Find an EarlyON Child and Family Centre →Ontario
- Ask about Healthy Babies Healthy Children →Toronto, Ontario
Child development
If you have a question about learning, behaviour or development, describe what you have noticed and ask which professional or program can help.
A useful next step
Start with your child’s healthcare provider or a child-development service.
A question to ask: “Do we need an assessment or referral, and who arranges it?”
- Ask CDI about child and youth mental-health services →Greater Toronto Area, Ontario
- Find help navigating services through Abiona’s Ujima hub →Toronto, Ontario
- Find Ontario supports for children with special needs →Ontario
EarlyON & early years programs
EarlyON offers free Ontario programs where children from birth to six take part with a parent or caregiver. Centres offer play, stories, learning and connections with other families.
A useful next step
Use Ontario’s finder to locate more than one nearby centre and compare schedules.
A question to ask: “Is registration required, and which sessions fit my child’s age?”
- Find an EarlyON Child and Family Centre →Ontario
- Play and connect at CDI EarlyON →Toronto, Ontario
- Connect with Indigenous EarlyON programs →Toronto, Ontario
- Find family programs in French in the GTA →Greater Toronto Area, Ontario
Childcare
Care while you work or study is different from a parent-and-child activity. Ask about hours, age groups, fees and availability.
A useful next step
Contact a licensed provider and find out how its waitlist works.
A question to ask: “What will I pay, what is included and when might a place become available?”
- Explore CDI’s licensed early learning centres →Toronto, Ontario
- Explore Toronto childcare fee subsidy →Toronto, Ontario
Childcare subsidies
Help with fees and a place in a childcare program may require separate processes.
A useful next step
Use your municipality’s subsidy information. Toronto families can start with the City listing below.
A question to ask: “What documents are needed, and does this provider accept the subsidy?”
- Explore Toronto childcare fee subsidy →Toronto, Ontario
School registration
The school system, registration route and required documents depend on where your child will attend.
A useful next step
Find the local school board and ask its registration team about your child’s situation.
A question to ask: “Which school serves our address, and who helps with language or learning needs?”
- Find your way around the school system →Canada-wide information
- Navigate settlement and family needs with COSTI →Greater Toronto Area, Ontario
Food & baby supplies
Ask about the exact item you need. A program may offer some essentials but have limited stock or separate registration.
A useful next step
Contact a relevant young-parent program or use 211 to locate a local food service.
A question to ask: “Do you have diapers or the supplies I need, and when can I collect them?”
- Start with Jessie’s for young-parent support →Toronto, Ontario
- Ask YSM Evergreen about nursery and young-parent support →Toronto, Ontario
- Find poverty and family support through YSM →Toronto, Ontario
- Find community support through 211 Ontario →Ontario
Housing for young parents
Residential treatment, help finding a rental and emergency shelter are different services. Start by explaining how urgent your housing need is.
A useful next step
Ask about intake, vacancies and alternatives if the first program cannot help.
A question to ask: “Is this residential support or a housing referral, and what happens after the program ends?”
- Ask about Abiona’s live-in treatment program →Toronto, Ontario
- Contact Rosalie Hall for pregnancy and young-family support →Toronto, Ontario
- Explore COSTI housing help →Greater Toronto Area, Ontario
- Find community support through 211 Ontario →Ontario
Mental health & counselling
Support may be designed for a parent, a child or the whole family. You do not need to know a program name to ask where to start.
A useful next step
Tell an intake worker whose support you are seeking and what kind of help you want.
A question to ask: “Is this counselling, a group or a referral? Is there a fee or waitlist?”
- Ask CDI about child and youth mental-health services →Greater Toronto Area, Ontario
- Explore culturally responsive healthcare at WHIWH →Greater Toronto Area, Ontario
- Connect with a public health nurse after baby arrives →Toronto, Ontario
Breastfeeding / infant feeding
For feeding questions, use qualified support that can consider your baby’s needs and your circumstances.
A useful next step
Ask your healthcare provider or Toronto Public Health about feeding support.
A question to ask: “Can I speak with someone individually, and how do I book?”
- Connect with a public health nurse after baby arrives →Toronto, Ontario
- Find prenatal and postnatal support in Rexdale →Toronto, Ontario
Family doctors & pediatric care
Looking for ongoing care and checking health coverage are separate steps. A care provider can explain when a pediatric referral is appropriate.
A useful next step
Read your province’s primary-care guidance and ask about registration conditions.
A question to ask: “Can this practice see my baby, and what coverage or payment arrangements apply?”
- Look for a family doctor or nurse practitioner in Ontario →Ontario
- Understand healthcare in Canada →Canada-wide information
- Check Ontario health coverage and OHIP →Ontario
Birth registration & documents
The place of birth determines where to begin registration. Read the official instructions before choosing additional documents.
A useful next step
For an Ontario birth, open the provincial registration service.
A question to ask: “Am I registering the birth, ordering a certificate or applying for a linked service?”
Canada Child Benefit
A child-benefit application has its own requirements. Do not assume that having a child in Canada establishes eligibility.
A useful next step
Check CRA’s current rules about care responsibilities, tax residency and immigration status.
A question to ask: “Which requirements apply to me or my spouse or partner, and what evidence is requested?”
- Check whether your family can apply for the Canada Child Benefit →Canada-wide information
- Understand taxes and benefits as a newcomer →Canada-wide information
Community programs
Connection can begin with a small, recurring activity. Consider location, language, transport and whether children attend with you.
A useful next step
Look for a nearby family program and check its current calendar.
A question to ask: “Can we try one session, and is it accessible for our family?”
- Find an EarlyON Child and Family Centre →Ontario
- Find family programs in French in the GTA →Greater Toronto Area, Ontario
- Connect with Indigenous EarlyON programs →Toronto, Ontario
- Connect through Toronto Public Library →Toronto, Ontario
Family settlement services
A settlement worker can help you put several questions in order and identify the right service for each.
A useful next step
Ask a provider which programs serve your location and immigration status.
A question to ask: “Can you help with our family’s school, healthcare or housing questions?”
- Find settlement support at Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto →Toronto, Ontario
- Plan your next steps with TNO settlement services →Toronto, Ontario
- Navigate settlement and family needs with COSTI →Greater Toronto Area, Ontario
- Connect through Access Alliance peer outreach →Toronto, Ontario
Employment support for parents
Job-search support and childcare planning often need to happen together. Explain the hours you can attend and any access needs.
A useful next step
Ask an employment service about appointments, training and support while participating.
A question to ask: “Are online appointments available, and is childcare offered or referred elsewhere?”
- Explore English and employment support at NEW →Toronto, Ontario
- Find poverty and family support through YSM →Toronto, Ontario
- Start your job search with Job Bank →Canada-wide information
Education for young parents
You may want to continue school, improve language skills or support your child’s learning. These are different routes with different entry requirements.
A useful next step
Tell a young-parent or learning program which goal matters most to you.
A question to ask: “Can I continue school while participating, and what care is available for my child?”
- Explore Abiona’s young-parent programs →Toronto, Ontario
- Start with Jessie’s for young-parent support →Toronto, Ontario
- Learn at home with HIPPY for Young Moms →Toronto, Ontario
- Explore English and employment support at NEW →Toronto, Ontario
Find support that fits your family.
Explore French-language, Indigenous and culturally responsive programs, support for fathers, disability resources and help with safety. Each serves a particular community or need.
A little preparation can make the first call easier.
You can say: “I’m looking for help with ____. I live in ____. Can you tell me whether this program fits, what it costs and how to start?” You do not need to share personal documents with YCG.
These pathways help you navigate services. Healthcare, legal and benefit decisions belong with the relevant professional or responsible organization.
How we check and explain sources →