What is New West Family Place? We offer drop in programs, workshops and parenting groups for all families to find support, strengthen their relationships with their children and their family members, enhance how they feel about their parenting, and build community connection and belonging. We are here so that families in New West can be empowered to THRIVE!
Who is New West Family Place for? Our programs are for families with children 0-6 years including grandparents, caregivers, extended and chosen family. We support and embrace families of every gender, background or socioeconomic status and we offer programs all around New West – across the community – touching every neighborhood – and at consistent times.
Who works at New West Family Place? Our team of child development and family support experts provide services and supports in multiple languages and work with families to ensure they connected to the services and supports they need when they need them.
A LETTER FROM OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIR
Dear friends,
My name is Jen and I am chair of the board of directors for New West Family Place. I wanted to reach out to say thank you to all of the families with littles that have been a part of our programming and coping during this very, very hard time. Being able to serve the families of New West during this time has been so important to our whole team.
We have had the chance to do a survey and get feedback from our families and we are grateful to the more than 30 of you who filled out the survey and it is no surprise to us that the #1 thing families want and need right now is face-to-face programming. We are all exhausted by doing everything virtual and we get it. The board and staff are making the best decisions possible for the families, the children and our team in this wildly changing landscape. We are listening and responding to the recommendations from Dr Bonnie Henry and are ready to pivot every second and right now we cannot gather with people outside our households.
In response to that huge need from families we want to try something new. Coming in March you can register online for a zoom PLAYDATE with Olga or Heba. You can sing, share stories, puppets and play games for a 15-minute playdate with our Early Childhood Educators, Olga and Heba. We will also have two FREE activity kits coming out in March, and a new programs and ideas to share with you.
See the details of our current programming below and find up to date information on our social media. If you have questions, you can call 604-520-3666 or email us info@nwfamily.bc.ca. We also respond to DMs via Facebook and Instagram.
The latest information and advice on COVID-19 in multiple languages is available through the BC Centre for Disease Control.
Be kind and stay safe! New West Family Place ❤️
CURRENT PROGRAMS
Learn to Sign, Stories & Songs
Join our Early Childhood Educator, Olga, for up to 8 sessions of learning to sign for babies! Olga will engage children and caregivers through stories and songs incorporating the key concepts of animals, colours, food and emotions. Learn key words like please, thank you, hurt, yes, no and more to get you on your way to signing with your baby! These sessions are open, you can join as many or as few as you like. You only need to register once. Wednesdays, April 21 to June 09, 2021 @ 9:30-10:00 AM on Zoom. Register at no cost here https://babyrhythmandrhyme.eventbrite.ca
Baby Rhythm & Rhyme
A time to delight in your babies through song, story, and connections with fellow parents. Sandra and Olga will be hosting this relaxed workshop from 10-11 AM on Fridays on Zoom. Use this time to gush about your little one, talk about your triumphs and struggles, ask questions, and above all delight in your babies through song, story, and connections with fellow parents! Joining us for all 8 sessions is recommended. Registration to join is necessary April 30 to June 18, 2021 Register at no cost https://babyrhythmandrhyme.eventbrite.ca
Monthly Online Birthday Party
At Family Place we love to offer enjoyable experiences for your family. During these times we have had to adapt our live events so that you can enjoy them from the living room of your home, in a virtual and safe way! Birthday’s are such a special time to celebrate our children and we want to offer a way to do this for your 0-5yr olds so they don’t have to miss out this year! We will be celebrating the month’s birthdays on the last day of each month on Zoom. We want to celebrate with you however you are most comfortable; you are welcome to invite your friends and family to join us too, just register everyone for free! Register at no cost https://onlinebirthdayparty.eventbrite.ca
Virtual Playdates with Olga and Heba
We sure miss seeing the faces of our families in person! Although we cannot gather in person yet, we are offering the next best thing; a chance for your and your child(ren) 0-5yrs to connect with our Early Childhood Educators! Register for your very own, personalized playdate in this Pilot Project from New West Family Place! Times are kept short to suit a small child’s attention span. This fun and engaging time may include anything from stories and songs to crafts and games. Register at no cost https://virtualplaydate.eventbrite.ca
Family Activity Pack
Running out of ideas for what to do with your kiddos at home? Each month we put out a new and exciting FREE Activity Pack focused on science and early learning! We are partnering with the wonderful people at City of New Westminster Parks and Recreation to distribute these and you can reserve a time to pick up your activity pack at Centennial Community Centre or at Queensborough Community Centre. You must reserve ahead of time through the parks and rec online registration www.newwestcity.ca/register. Check our social media for the latest pickup dates and registration codes. Thank you to United Way of the Lower Mainland for funding this great project!
“Nobody’s Perfect” parenting program
Nobody’s Perfect parenting group runs Thursdays on ZOOM with our ECE and Family Support Workers. Registration is required and a commitment to six weeks is average. Contact heba@nwfamily.bc.ca or sandras@nwfamily.bc.ca if you are interested in joining our next group! You can also find more information about the program here https://nobodysperfect.ca/home/ and see our calendar for a registration link.
Fairy Houses in Queens Park
Take a look in Queens Park for Olga’s magical Fairy House creations! New houses will be posted every Friday on our social media pages, so be sure to check back often for new ones to hunt for! Find all the fairy houses behind the picnic shelters where our drop ins were held. Best accessed from the parking lot at 4th ave and 1st street. Please leave it where it is so that other’s can enjoy it also.
Morning Meetups on ZOOM
Our Family Support Workers are hosting an online meetup for parents with children 0-5yrs! Connect with other parents and discuss all things children and parenting; come as you are and be seen, heard and loved. Email for more information on how to drop in!
Mondays 10am (Spanish) on ZOOM Contact: paula@nwfamily.bc.ca
Tuesdays 10am (English) on ZOOM Contact: anna@nwfamily.bc.ca
Family Fun Feature
Every weekend, we will be posting a Family Fun Feature on our socials. A Family Fun Feature will be post with a super fun activity – from a craft, to a game, to a science experiment! Created by our Early Childhood educators, they have all been made to be a source of fun, creativity, and growth for our families and their children
Toy Lending Library
Are you looking for new toys? Our Toy Lending Library is now open for our families! We have a big selection of (sanitized) puzzles, pretend-play, and tons of other toys for children of all ages. Sign up for our Toy Lending Library today to borrow toys! To browse, CLICK HERE
