Robertson House Children’s Program is located in downtown Toronto and is TTC accessible. Robertson House is a City of Toronto shelter, which provides short-term accommodation for homeless women and children, with a focus on a young mom’s program for street youth. Robertson House operates as a nursery school and provides morning and afternoon sessions and is open to all residents of the shelter. It is a drop-in, first come, first serve program. The program has an open door policy and families can utilize the program as often as they would like in order to meet their individual needs. Children have an opportunity to escape the stress of being homeless and living in a shelter and just be children.

Robertson House is located in a historical building, which was once owned by John Ross Robertson, a newspaper icon, who donated it to the City of Toronto. The building was renovated and restored in 1998.

The building is spacious, brightly decorated and highly stimulating for the young children. It boasts hardwood floors and floor to ceiling windows. It provides an open, safe area for the children to play and explore which is a sharp contrast to the small rooms they are living in. The goal of the program is to provide children living in the hostel with a safe, enjoyable and stimulating environment where they and their mom’s can feel comfortable. There is an abundance of toys, equipment and educational materials that are specially geared toward the developmental needs and capabilities for infants through school age. There is also a courtyard play area with lots of outdoor equipment for the children.

The centre is inclusive to all children. Some children may require additional supports to ensure they are able to reach their optimum level of development. Services are available to support children with special needs through Children’s Services.

The Children’s Services Philosophy is reflective of the principles and values adopted by the Division. Children are seen as active participants in their environment, and are by nature problem-solvers. The daily curriculum for all children reflects the children’s interests and ensures active involvement by the children in the planning of their daily activities. The role of the teacher is that of facilitator; to provide the kinds of experiences that promote active learning on the part of the child.

The program is close to local parks, libraries, community centres, health centres and community agencies.

Robertson House has a variety of vital community links that enables it to better serve its clients in terms of acquiring information; resources and support services outside of the child care program. Some of the links include the Public Health Department, Parent for Better Beginnings, Blevins Child Care Centre, Regent Park Child Care Centre, the Children’s Services Special Services Unit, KIDS, Regent Park Health Centre, Jessie’s, Massey Centre, St. Michael’s Hospital and the Christian Community Centre. The centre is a member of many networks including SCAARP (School-Community Action Alliance for Regent Park), HB/HC (Healthy Babies/Healthy Children and YPNFA (Young Parent’s of No Fixed Address).

One of the centre’s greatest accomplishments is the amount of parent involvement in the program. Parents feel very comfortable spending quality time interacting with their children in the program. Creative activities are often the highlight of the day for both the children and moms. Staff acts as role models and provides ongoing parent education and support to the moms who are living in the shelter. Pregnant moms are also welcome to come into the program as one step in preparing for the birth of their child. The staff, in conjunction with staff from the Hostels Division of Robertson House, facilitates an interactive program for moms and babies on Thursday mornings called Mommy and Me. This program was recognized at the Children’s Service Month Recognition Event sponsored by the City of Toronto Children’s Advocate, Olivia Chow. Staff have also facilitated an interactive program called, “You Make a Difference” which is presented by the Hanen Centre of Toronto and focuses on interaction and attachment and bonding with infants. Fairlawn Community Centre has also generously provided us with a musician to perform music circles with the families.

The centre is sensitive to the cultural diversity found in the clients and families it serves. It is always looking at ways to make language barrier issues better for clients and staff. Numerous books and music in the centre reflect the different cultures and languages in order for the children to be exposed to multiculturalism at a young age.

All the staff at Robertson House Children’s Program are highly trained, professional Early Childhood Educators who take pride in their work with the children and families. Programs are easily adapted based on the ever-changing needs and interest of the children. Staff are extremely supportive to the ever-changing social and emotional needs of the children and families we serve and are responsive to the ongoing stress they face while being homeless.

The centre provides a nutritious morning and afternoon snack for the children. Attention is given to special diets, food restrictions and allergies.

The staff at Robertson House are dedicated to providing the diverse, homeless community it serves with the best possible and most flexible care available. Staff are non-judgmental, supportive and receptive to all families and are aware of the varying circumstances that could have attributed to the need for families to seek shelter at the residence. Staff ensures that all families know about the program and advertise the centre’s openness and willingness to have the children participate in the program through the use of shelter-wide PA system.