Families on standby as child care costs plummet, while waitlists hit record levels
Child care is cheaper but that lower price is driving more demand leaving many families waiting for access.
A cure for health care: Ottawa doctor, Alykhan Abdulla, has a mission to fix the system
Dr. Alykhan Abdulla cares for more than 5,000 patients in his family practice. He still has time to work of a fix for the ailing health-care system.
Perley Health turns to children to help improve dementia care
Ottawa’s Perley Health is building a dementia-friendly daycare to explore how children may improve quality of life for seniors with dementia.
Committee OKs plan to move French childcare service to West Centretown
The City of Ottawa’s community services committee has approved a plan to move the Centre éducatif Pinocchio — a city-run French-language childcare service — to a high-needs area in West Centretown. The city is proposing to move the municipally-operated centre from its current location at 111 Sussex Drive in Lowertown — the former Ottawa City hall — to a new...
Innocence Lost: Experts weigh impacts of repurposing beloved characters from childhood classics in campy horror films
When Winnie-the-Pooh starred in the 2018 Disney film Christopher Robin, young families turned out in droves to watch as the beloved bear with the “rumbly tumbly” was reunited with the title character as an adult, and the two rediscovered the joys of childhood wonder in the Hundred Acre Wood. But in the newest films starring Winnie-the-Pooh, the bear is out...
WHO says low vaccination rate driving measles outbreaks
Global childhood immunization against deadly diseases such as measles declined in 2023, leaving millions of children at risk, according to data published this week by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. The data shows low vaccination rate against measles last year left nearly 35 million children with no or partial protection. About 83 per cent of children worldwide received their...
Advocates urge uOttawa to find new home for campus daycare
UOttawa is about to demolish a building that houses the campus daycare centre. Advocates are frustrated that they can't convince the university to save the centre.
Ottawa Gallery show explores the intersection of motherhood and artist
Ottawa-based mother-artist collective 44.4 unveiled their first exhibition Nobody Sees a Flower, exploring the complexities of motherhood and art.
CNIB’s new charter aims to create a more inclusive society for the visually impaired
A CNIB Charter of Rights for children who are blind and low vision could make for a fairer, more equitable society.
Rising food prices prompt higher demand for Ottawa School Breakfast Program
The cost of food is not only impacting households, it has spurred a concerning increase in the use of Ottawa's school food program.
Ottawa parents still facing shortage of children’s medication
As seasonal illnesses like COVID, Flu and RSV surge, shortages of Children’s Advil and Tylenol put pressure on parents, hospitals and pharmacies.
$10-a-day childcare plan threatened by worker shortage across Canada
As Canadian children head back to school this fall, their parents continue to hear politicians extolling the virtues of $10-a-day childcare. The $30-billion plan, introduced in the 2021 federal budget, aims to make $10-a-day childcare available to all, including parents who live in rural areas, work unusual hours or have children with special needs. But while every province and...
After virtual events, Vanier Sugar Festival looks ahead to in-person celebration — and rebuilt shack — next year
As April brought warmer (and muddier) days to Ottawa, it also brought an age-old Canadian tradition that one urban sugar shack has been continuing in the capital for 37 years now: the production of maple syrup.
Experts expect divorce spike as courts come back online and pandemic restrictions ease
The pandemic changed the way some view relationships and life priorities. Experts say we'll continue to see the effects of this value shift.
Students left behind: The pandemic has been especially hard on those with learning disabilities
Students left behind, the impact of COVID-19 on students with learning disabilities
‘Mini’ children’s festival marks return of live theatre for Ottawa’s long-running celebration of the arts
Ottawa Children's Festival returns to a live stage this weekend.
Experts say approval of COVID-19 vaccines for kids will help achieve herd immunity, provide host of benefits
Following the approval of the COVID-19 vaccine in children age five to 11 in the United States, many are anticipating Health Canada’s approval in the coming weeks. Although vaccine hesitancy remains a key issue among parents, experts say vaccinating kids will bring society that much closer to herd immunity.
Thousands of low-income and racialized youth face barriers accessing minor hockey even as participation falls in Canada
Canadian participation in youth hockey is diminishing and lack of accessibility to low-income communities could be a critical factor in the decline.
NCC’s colourful ‘Fall Rhapsody’ leaf spectacle restores sense of normalcy in COVID times
The NCC’s Fall Rhapsody initiative brings back shuttles and peripheral events after last year’s altered program due to the pandemic.
Some South Asian parents find they face a tricky navigation as they adapt to Canadian norms
The challenges faced by South Asian parents in Canada where parenting style, religious and cultural values are different from their home countries.
Ontario government OKs new multi-service healthcare hub at CHEO
CHEO is set to build new hub, combining services from seven different clinics and offices across Ottawa.
COVID crisis adds new challenges for mother coping with child’s sickle cell disease
One family with a child with sickle cell disease shares challenges of living with serious illness, and how COVID has affected their situation.
Pandemic pressures: COVID-19 restrictions cause concerns about development of young children
The isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has experts looking into it's effects on young children, just learning to socialize with peers. Experts have noted increased anxiety and behavioural problems amongst children during this time.
Ottawa camps pivot to provide programming in April after Ontario postpones March Break
March Break camps in Ottawa have pivoted and will run from April 12-16 in light of the Ontario government's postponement
Too many Black children are in Ontario’s child welfare system because of systemic racism, critics say
There is an overrepresentation of Black children and youth in the Ontario child welfare system.
Pandemic challenges charity and the families with sick children it helps
Children's charity volunteers discuss empathy amidst the challenges of COVID-19
Children’s mental health in Ontario deteriorating amid pandemic: report
The pandemic has caused a rise of mental health issues among children and youth.
The pandemic piles on: Parents caring for children with disabilities face even more stress, loneliness and isolation
Lack of community support, doubled with isolation, has resulted in increased anxiety among parents caring for children with disabilities
Becoming a mother in the age of COVID-19 can be “isolating”
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an upset of routines and traditions, but for expecting mothers and new parents, a pivotal period in their lives has been completely rewritten.
Lookahead ’21: Youth mentorship program in Peel partners with Tim Hortons for virtual fundraiser
Big Brothers Big Sisters in Peel Region partners with Tom Hortons for virtual fundraiser
Turning to TikTok: Parents of pandemic babies are finding creative ways to cope with the isolation
Nearly one year into the COVID-19 pandemic a new term is on the rise - pandemic babies.
Giving birth during the pandemic a ‘lonely’ experience, mothers say
Physical distancing restrictions and strict hospital policies have made giving birth during the pandemic an isolating experience, some mothers say.
Ottawa drive-in concert example of how COVID-19 is reshaping cultural gatherings
A closer look at Ottawa's changing entertainment scene following new COVID-19 restrictions.
Perfect weather driving massive crowds to apple orchards, forcing managers to tighten COVID rules
Apple picking season has successfully kicked off, but massive crowds and lack of masks pose problems.
Local childcare centres prepared for Stage 3
Some childcare centres say they feel prepared to increase their cohorts of children from 10 to 15 as of July 27.
Teachers, parents, health experts share mixed feelings about plans to reopen Ontario schools in September
As the talks about reopening schools in September are underway, teachers and parents try to figure out what's best for students and society.
Hunting, gathering and sharing: Ottawa community helping ensure access to food during COVID-19 crisis
During the COVID-19 pandemic Ottawa's community is helping the Ottawa Food Bank support a higher demand of families. Good samaritans are also helping families who are not resorting to the food bank.
Winterlude Fire and Ice Festival transforms Bank Street on a cold day
The Fire and Ice Festival on Bank Street had more ice than fire this Saturday, with temperatures dropping to -25ºC.
Local high school takes aim at vaping by students
A local high school in Ottawa is using new and creative strategies to stop teenage vaping on school property.
Yoga for youth a growing phenomenon in Ottawa
Across North America, the number of children practicing yoga is skyrocketing. In Ottawa, kids’ yoga classes are popping up to meet this demand.
Building blocks: Carleton hosts LEGO robotics competition
For the first time FIRST LEGO League comes to Ottawa and is hosted at Carleton University
Children with autism get ‘quieter’ moment with Santa
QuickStart Autism, a charity in Ottawa, is helping malls host Sensory Santa's which are designated quiet times for children with autism.
Ottawa toy stores offer surprising best-sellers this holiday season
Ho, ho, ho! Getting ready for holiday shopping? Check out the latest surprising toy trends in Ottawa.
Record number of donors trim their hair for cancer research
Hundreds turn out to the ninth annual Hair Donation Ottawa event.