Nshwaasnangong Child Care & Family Centre

About Nshwaasnangong Child Care & Family Centre

Nshwaasnangong Child Care & Family Centre is an Indigenous-led facility located on Hill Street in London's SoHo neighbourhood. It serves as a welcoming space for Indigenous peoples and their families, as well as non-Indigenous families, providing a joyful environment where children and future generations can thrive. The centre focuses on honoring ancestral teachings, rekindling traditional languages, and fostering a life in balance with Mother Earth. The facility provides licensed child care for children aged 0 to 6, offering space for up to 88 children. This child care curriculum emphasizes connections to language and traditional teachings to revitalize culture during the early years. Additionally, the centre functions as a family hub offering culturally relevant EarlyON programming for children, youth, and families. These programs include drop-in playgroups with music and crafts, outdoor activities, storytime, language classes, and parenting workshops covering topics such as child development, nutrition, and safety. Families can also access information on public health, education, and recreation through on-site Community Connectors who provide referrals to local resources. Nshwaasnangong was established as a local response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. The project originated through the Journey Together Indigenous Planning committee in partnership with the City of London. It is led by the Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre and is supported by the Ministry of Education. The building was made possible through a collaborative effort involving various community partners and funding from the federal government, the provincial government, and the City of London. The centre's name, which means “place of the eighth star” in Anishinaabemowin, was gifted during an Anishinaabe Naming Ceremony and refers to a significant figure in the Big Dipper. Families interested in attending the centre can join a waitlist for child care spaces. Registration for EarlyON and family programming is managed through an online account. The centre also notes that child care subsidies may be available through the City of London to assist families with attendance costs.