January in Child Care: Cozy, Curious, and Connected
As we settle into a new year, we’re reminded that winter invites us to slow down, reconnect, and find comfort in familiar routines. Across Network Child Care Services, January is a time to create calm, nurturing spaces where children feel safe, curious, and supported—no matter how short the days or chilly the weather outside. It’s also a meaningful moment to reflect on the year behind us and celebrate the growth, learning, and connections we’ve shared as a community.
Some simple, child-friendly indoor ideas we love include:
- Sensory play using everyday materials like rice, water, scarves, or recycled containers
- Storytelling and puppets to spark imagination and language development
- Art and open-ended creativity, from painting and collage to building with loose parts
- Music and movement, including action songs, yoga, or indoor obstacle courses
- Quiet corners for puzzles, books, and rest
These experiences help children stay engaged, curious, and supported while embracing the rhythm of the season.
From gardens and new centres to learning together as a community, 2025 was full of moments worth celebrating. Here’s a look back at some of the highlights from across Network:
2025 Highlights
April – Growing Together
Six Network centres launched the Growers Club, turning playgrounds into vibrant gardens. Children planted seeds, explored nature hands-on, and learned how things grow. This spring, Supervisors are reconnecting and led by Pedagogy Specialist Susan Menchinton, to plan the next growing season and support our little gardeners as they nurture their gardens once again.
July – Liberty Village Opens
We were thrilled to welcome families, children, and staff to the newly opened Liberty Village Child Care Centre. With thoughtfully designed learning spaces and a strong focus on quality early learning, Liberty Village marks an exciting milestone and a vibrant addition to the Network community.
Summer – Sensorium & Pollination Project
Nature took centre stage with the launch of the Sensorium & Pollination Project. Led by Susan Menchinton, this hands-on gardening initiative invited children to explore plants, pollinators, and the natural world, sparking curiosity and deepening everyday connections to the environment.
September – Food Forests in Bloom
Many centres participated in the Food Forest Project, transforming outdoor spaces into layered, productive gardens. Children and educators planted, tended, and harvested fruits, vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers, learning where food comes from and building positive relationships with nutritious eating.
November – Symposium Season
November brought teams together for learning and connection. We proudly hosted the Annual Home Child Care Symposium in downtown Toronto, followed by a second Symposium for Child Care Centre and Head Office staff. Both days celebrated shared knowledge, professional growth, and the strength of our community.
As we move through the winter months and look ahead to the year to come, we do so with gratitude for the dedication, creativity, and care shown across our Network every day. Thank you to our educators, caregivers, staff, families, and partners for the heart you bring to this work. Together, you make Network a place where children, and the adults who support them, continue to grow, learn, and thrive.
