Welcome to Family Place

We are so pleased to be able to provide parents and caregivers with a wonderful array of family-centred programs and services throughout Cape Breton Island.

We are able to do so because of the great support we receive from the Public Health Agency of Canada through the Community Action Program for Children and Canada's Prenatal Nutrition Program.

Extending our reach to even more communities is possible because of additional support we receive from the Department of Community Services, Nova Scotia Health, and the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

Because Family Place continues to grow and develop, and because parents, grandparents, and other child care providers continue to let us know what kinds of supports, programs, and resources will best meet their needs, our programs are ever-changing.

We are now able to provide this information to you in an online format. Please check out our programming by visiting the county page that corresponds with where you live.  Our calendar can be found under the "events" section within each county.

All programs are not active at the same time, and all are not available in all areas.  Participants and other agency staff are encouraged to call their local office to discuss additional program needs and interests.

Please consider this your personal invitation to browse, call, and/or drop into one of our locations to meet us and share some of your family's time with Family Place.

JoAnna LaTulippe-Rochon,

Executive Director

Outside on a Tree Stump FHCC

Family Home Child Care in Action

Gondola Fun with Families North of Smokey

Quality Time for Bigs and Littles

Find a play group near you!

Chat with Other Parents and Caregivers

Outdoor Fun Year Round

Come Play with Me

Upcoming Events

Cape Breton Family Place Calendar

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Click on a date to display the event details for the day below the calendar.

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Check Out Family Resource Programs Across Nova Scotia

By JoAnna LaTulippe-Rochon | November 21, 2022

Family Place is part of a large network of Family Resource programs operating across Canada.  We are excited to share with you a new website that showcases our wonderful companion programs across the province.  Take a few moments and check out our neighbours on mainland Nova Scotia.  See something you like?  See something that peeks…

Happy Diwali

By JoAnna LaTulippe-Rochon | October 22, 2022

History and Significance of Diwali Although, there are no official records stating the origin of Diwali; among many legends about this festival, one thing is common — the triumph of good over evil. It would be apt to say that different parts of the nation celebrate this day for different reasons. The northern part of…

Seasonal Health and Safety Reminders

By JoAnna LaTulippe-Rochon | October 22, 2022

Healthy Tips to Keep in Mind During the Upcoming Holiday Season Wear your mask if you are going to be indoors or around a crowd of people.  It will help keep the spread of COVID down. Be certain to stay up-to-date with recommended vaccinations. Wash your hands often to keep yourself from spreading germs and…

Celebrate National Child Day on November 20

By JoAnna LaTulippe-Rochon | October 21, 2022

Did you know that National Child Day has been celebrated across Canada since 1993?  It is a special day that is set aside to commemorate the United Nations’ adoption of two documents centered on children’s rights: the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child on November 20, 1959, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights…

Fall Programs are Buzzing with Activity

By JoAnna LaTulippe-Rochon | September 28, 2022

Our Fall Programming schedules are set and we have loads of exciting programs and services to offer you.  No matter where you are located around the Island, our staff are ready to engage with you and your family.  We are offering lots of programs and services to support you as parents and caregivers – and…

Coming Up - Across Cape Breton

Download all events as ICS file

We are pleased to provide a range of family and community programs:

Storysacks

A story sack includes a good children’s book and lots of activities to bring reading to life. It is a fun way for children and adults to read together. Children play an active role as they work with the characters and materials that they see in the story. Story sacks are a great way to…

Read With Me/Lire Avec Moi

Family literacy programs for children ages 3 – 5 years and their parents/caregivers. The program consists of story time, songs, finger-plays, crafts as well as a book and activities to take home and enjoy throughout the week. The program is available in French in the Port Hawkesbury/Richmond County area.

Breastfeeding Support Group

Share and learn breastfeeding information along with other breastfeeding mothers and their babies. Our weekly gatherings include healthy snacks and social time too. Dads and/or other support persons welcomed.

STARSS – Start Thinking About Reducing Second-hand Smoke

An approach that is encouraged for staff to work with families heightening their awareness about children’s exposure to second hand smoke (SHS), this program supports parents and caregivers to reduce such exposure. The program can be offered informally, with minimal interventions, or more formally through either group or individual sessions. The ultimate goal of the…

Family Place Mother Goose Program

Group experiences for parents, child care providers, babies and young children focusing on the pleasure and power of sharing rhymes, songs, and stories together. So much learning takes place while focusing on fun for all – laughing, playing and listening to stories. The program offers an opportunity to further develop parent-child attachment and positive bonding.

Positive Parenting

A program for parents to talk about and learn to prevent and/or respond appropriately to discipline issues and concerns. It covers topics such as Your Role as a Parent, Children’s Roles, Children’s Emotional and Physical Health, Encouraging Positive Behavior, Discouraging Negative Behavior, Dealing with Tantrums and Taking Care of You, the Parent.

Building Connections

Connections is a group intervention for mothers and children.  The Connections program has two main objectives. To present a thorough background to the issue of family violence, parenting and substance use; and To present a six week group model for working with mothers experiencing or with a history of experiencing violence in relationships. The Connections group helps…

Dads Support Group – Dads Are Parents Too!

A weekly fathering group geared towards dads and male caregivers. The dads choose topics related to parenting issues that are relevant to them. Topics may include but are not limited to discipline, nutrition, stress management and co-parenting.

Personal Stress Management

This is a four to six week program for parents offering easy to follow steps that will help participants identify stress and healthy ways of dealing with it. Topics include Introduction to Stress, Stress Hardiness, Insomnia, and Productive and Unproductive Responses to Stress.  

Stay, Play & Learn

This ongoing program offers a variety of age appropriate toys and equipment that promote interactive learning, literacy, language, science discovery and concepts of math. A nutritious snack is offered. The program consists of activities, games and physical movement that are designed to promote positive, meaningful and fun experiences with your child to further develop early…