Both parents and kids in Toronto will find themselves in a word-class city that also happens to be one of the largest Kid-Friendly cities in Canada. The Ontario capital is extremely child-friendly, and with stark seasonal contrasts – think warm summers and cold, snow-filled winters – families can look forward to a variety of activities that change with the time of year.
Additionally, the city is renowned for its high standard of education, and as is the case in the rest of Canada, the healthcare system is among the best in the world; thus, expat mothers and fathers can look forward to raising healthy and stimulated children in Toronto.
Education in Toronto
Toronto is known not only for its private schools, but also for its high-quality public schools. The Ministry of Education is working to create gender-based schools in some areas and full-day kindergarten in other areas, and on the whole, the public school system in Toronto is so strong that expats are bound to find a school suitable for their child, no matter the location.
Alternatively, expat parents will be able to find schools for children with specific needs, including:
* Private schools that specialise in certain language instruction
* Top-notch private schools for boys, girls or co-ed
* Arts based private schools
Daycare facilities exist primarily for children aged 18 months and older, but it is easy to find places that will accept infants as well. Many daycares will provide kindergarten as well, so there may not be a need to move your child to a larger school until first grade.
What to do with kids in Toronto
This section could go on for pages and pages! There are so many things to do with kids in Toronto – including outdoor and indoor places where your kids can run around all over the city, tons of museums, amusement centres and interesting attractions – that you’ll likely find your schedule jam-packed.
There are hundreds of incredible, neighbourhood parks all over the city that provide great play structures for kids of all ages. Some parks are larger and may even include access to a free zoo for kids, and others have splash pads to help make the hot summer days more bearable. These parks also run camps through the summer; expat parents can find out specifics through the City of Toronto Parks and Recreation department.
When the weather turns less than desirable, or if you simply think your little one could do with some culture, you can take solace in the fact that Toronto is a hub for theatre. On any given day you can find large scale Broadway-style productions, as well as local, fringe festivals and small theatre groups performing especially for kids and families.
What’s more, the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Ontario Science Centre can provide hours of educational entertainment for kids; these specific centres even have children’s play areas, and most run programs and camps directed at kids throughout the year and during school breaks.
Additionally, newcomers won’t want to miss the CN Tower, McMichael Gallery or Blue Mountain.
Dining with children in Toronto
Toronto is known the world around for its restaurant scene, and virtually all of the city’s eateries are child-friendly. While many do not have specific kids’ menus, most will cater to your children’s needs and will offer customised plates for kids. Either way, you can find culinary delights for any type of food from anywhere in the world.
Do note that some parts of the city boast specific regional cuisine, such as Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese food and more.
In general though, most communities have terrific restaurants that are within walking distance, and that make for fun outings that double as great opportunities to explore the neighbourhood.
Parent resources for Toronto
For those that need that extra helping hand upon arrival, Toronto has plenty of resources specifically aimed at parents and children.
For starters, most neighbourhoods will have a local community centre that runs parent groups, and several areas have specific parent groups that you can find listed online. There are programs that involve both parents and children, as well as programs just for children. Most of the groups can also help you find other parents in your area for carpooling.
Schools can be great sources as well. Many institutions run parent groups in the afternoons, and most schools will introduce you to their PTA where you can find out about programs in your neighbourhood.
If your child needs extra support or has specific needs, you can be guaranteed that there is a person and/or a program that will be a perfect fit. This is definitely a city focused on families!
