Thank you for your interest in our Annual Early Learning Kits, which include the Back to School Kit, the Early Learning Family Kit, and the Christmas Gift Program. In an effort to better support the needs of our families, the application for all annual ELCC kits is completed through the One application that closes annually at the end of each April. Successful applicants will receive additional communication closure to the kit’s release date. There will be no additional applications accepted for these annual kits. Please note there is no substitution for items within the kit.

For any questions, please email elccevents@metisnation.org.

Apply to our programs using the One Application.

The MNO Early Learning and Child Care program has virtual and in-person experiences for Métis families. The MNO Métis Early Learning Camps (virtual and in-person) and other social events are an opportunity for families and their children to participate in handson, play-based activities while learning about Métis culture and way-of-life. To learn more about our camps and virtual family socials Click Here

The Métis Early Learning Babysitter’s Club

The Métis Early Learning Babysitter’s Club welcomes Métis Nation of Ontario youth in grades 7-9, providing them with essential skills and foundational knowledge for quality home-based child care. In addition to obtaining their Babysitter’s Certificate, youth participants will learn about child development, cultural activities, and safe online advertising, all led by Registered Early Childhood Educators from MNO’s ELCC team. Upon completion of the program, youth will also receive a Babysitter’s Club Certificate and Babysitter’s Club Kit.

The program blends guided virtual sessions with self-directed online learning modules. Registered participants will attend a welcoming virtual session to meet their peers, ask questions, and be engaged in meaningful learning discussions. Club members will then complete the online babysitter’s course, Kahoot modules designed to educate and support participants, and a mid-course virtual follow-up First Aid and CPR session, with all costs covered by MNO.

Attention all Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) youth citizens in grades 7, 8, and 9! Do you want to learn how to provide excellent child care in a home environment? Then, the Métis Early Learning Babysitter’s Club is just for you!

As set out in the MNO Statement of Prime Purpose, our growing selection of innovative programs and services aim to provide the care and support necessary to meet the fundamental needs of citizens and to promote the improved health and wellness of the individual, the family, and the whole Métis community.

This MNO ELCC program teaches all the basics of childcare, like how kids grow, fun activities that respect different cultures, and how to be safe online. With help from a team of trained Early Childhood Educators, you’ll learn what you need to become a certified babysitter and start your career.

But that’s not all! Upon completion of the program, participants will receive a certificate of achievement along with their very own Babysitter’s Club kit.

Here’s how it works:

  • Structured Learning: Join interactive online sessions led by experts, where you can connect with peers and have valuable discussions.
  • Self-guided Modules: Access online modules at your own pace to boost your knowledge and skills.
  • Certification: Get ready for work with virtual training from a certified company, covering babysitting basics, plus virtual first aid and CPR sessions.

And the best part? The Métis Nation of Ontario will cover the costs!

Ready to join the club? New groups happen throughout the year! Our application remains open and families will be messaged when a new session is starting.

Don’t miss this opportunity to embark on your journey towards becoming a certified babysitter with the Métis Early Learning Babysitter’s Club! Apply today!

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • One parent or youth must be an MNO citizen eligible for direct benefits and must reside in Ontario
  • Participants must be in grades 7, 8 or 9
  • Ability to access the internet, a device to connect to Zoom, and be willing to participate in a digital environment
  • Interested in learning about Métis history and culture from an early learning perspective

The application for the 2026 sessions of the Babysitter’s Club will open on May 20, 2026 and remain open until September 15, 2026.

The spring session will begin June 1, 2026, with the fall session beginning October 5, 2026.

For any questions or more information, please get in touch with ELCC Camp Developer Jen McFarlane at JenniferM@metisnation.org.

For information on how to join the MNO Education Hub App, please Click Here.

Apply Here

Annual Early Learning Christmas Gift Program

The Métis Nation of Ontario’s Early Learning and Child Care team developed the Annual Early Learning Christmas Gift Program in hopes that it would bring extra cheer to Métis early learners and their families during the holiday season. Through this program, successful applicants receive one developmentally appropriate gift for each child aged 0 to 12 years and one family gift per family designed around the theme for the program that year. For more information about our annual Christmas gift program, please click below.

More Information

Annual Early Learning Family Kits

The Métis Nation of Ontario’s Early Learning and Child Care team develops an annual kit for Métis families with children aged 0 to 12 years. The annual family kit is intentionally designed with a specific theme in mind providing developmentally appropriate activities for children to engage with and explore. For more information about our annual family kit, please click below.

Annual Back to School Kit

Heading back to school is an exciting time for children and families! With this in mind, the Métis Nation of Ontario’s Early Learning and Child Care team develops an annual back to school kit. The back to school kit is for Métis child in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6. Each kit includes essential school items that differ from year-to-year. For more information about our Back to School Kit, please click below.

More Information

Métis Baby Bundle

The Baby Bundle Kit is a 100% FREE resource for any Métis parents or guardians who are expecting or have an infant(s) 8 months or younger. The Baby Bundle Kit includes an assortment of products for infants(s) that will be sent to families. The MNO Early Learning and Childcare Program has secured funds to cover the products and shipping fees to offer this resource for Métis Families.

More Information

Métis Early Learning Virtual Programming

This year, the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) is excited to offer three (3) Métis Early Learning Virtual Camps for Métis children ages 0 to 12 and their families. While the camps are designed for children aged 4 to 12, all Métis families with children in the 0–12 age range are welcome to participate. Each virtual camp will feature a unique theme and provide opportunities for children to engage in hands-on, play-based cultural activities in a safe and enriching online environment.

Schedule:

The virtual camps will be held in the spring, fall, and winter on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time) throughout the year.

To see the full schedule for this year’s Métis Early Learning Virtual Programs click here.

In Person Camps

The Métis Nation of Ontario’s Early Learning Child Care Team is excited to offer in-person family camps to Métis Nation of Ontario families. The Camps are designed to provide Métis early learners between the ages of three (3) and twelve (12), their siblings, parents/legal guardians, and grandparent(s) with an opportunity to learn more about Métis culture and way of life on the land from an early learning perspective. Through hands-on activities, group interactions, and qualified presenters, families gain relationships and community in a beautiful rural setting.

Caregivers will also have the opportunity to learn more about the programs and services offered through the Métis Nation of Ontario’s Early Learning Child Care program.

During in-person camps, Métis families engage in activities that demonstrate respect for the land, teach early learners about their Métis culture and way of life, and connect with other Métis families from across Ontario. Caregivers will also have the opportunity to learn more about the programs and services offered through the Métis Nation of Ontario’s Early Learning Child Care program.

View our In-Person Camp Video Gallery

The Métis Nation of Ontario’s Early Learning Child Care Team will be hosting two (2) in-person family camps this year. The camps will take place in the fall of 2025 and winter 2026. To stay informed about application information and camp updates, follow the Métis Nation of Ontario social media pages, check back here, and join our Education Hub App!

For information on how to join the MNO Education Hub App, please Click Here.

Annual Early Learning Kit Programs - One Application Access

Apply to our programs using the One Application.

Annual Back-to-School Kit

Heading back to school is an exciting time for children and families! With this in mind, the Métis Nation of Ontario’s Early Learning and Child Care team develops an annual back-to-school kit. The Back-to-School kit is for Métis children aged three (3) and entering Junior Kindergarten to ages twelve (12). Each kit includes essential school items that differ from year to year. This kit is provided on a one per child basis.

Annual Early Learning Christmas Gift Program

The Métis Nation of Ontario’s Early Learning and Child Care team developed the Annual Early Learning Christmas Gift Program in hopes that it would bring extra cheer to Métis early learners and their families during the holiday season. Through this program, successful applicants receive one developmentally appropriate gift for each child aged 0 to 12 years and one family gift per family designed around the theme for the program that year.

Annual Early Learning Family Kits

The Métis Nation of Ontario’s Early Learning and Child Care team develops an annual kit for Métis families with children aged 0 to 12 years. The annual family kit, provided on a one-per-family basis, is intentionally designed with a specific theme in mind, providing developmentally appropriate activities for children to engage with and explore.

Previous Kits

The Grandparents Kit connected Métis Grandparents with their Grandchildren through a series of activities such as cooking, birdhouse building, card games, and reading

The STEM Kit connected Métis early learners and their families with activities that related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through a Métis lens. Activities included beading with lego, building Métis symbols through circuit boards, and constructing different modes of

  • The Culture Kit aimed to connect Métis early learners to Métis culture through four mini kits with the following themes:
    • Nature Kit: This kit invited early learners to get back out on the land, whether in an urban or rural environment, going out for a walk around their neighborhood or exploring the forest. It included items such as compasses, magnifying glasses and a nature circles resource.
    • Infinity Cre8tivity Kit: This kit connects traditional and modern creative outlets while building fine motor development and life skills. It invited early learners to explore their creative side through weaving, sewing, embroidery, and felting. This kit also invited early learners to take a look at traditional Métis clothing.
    • Kitchen Party Kit: This Kitchen Party kit aimed to invite feelings of community, connection, and joy into your home. Included in this mini-kit were musical connections (such as spoon playing), recipes, decks of cards and game instructions, and child-sized L’Assomption sashes.
    • Beading Kit: The Beading Kit invited early learners to explore beadwork through lacing, a larger bead kit, and a seed beading kit. This kit explored artistic expression and math skills such as patterning and counting.

The MNO ELCC Nature Kit aimed to continue fostering and strengthening the connection of Métis children (aged 0-12) to nature and the wider MNO community.

This kit contained an in-house-made map to help guide children and their families through their nature adventures. The map promoted curiosity and small-world play while giving children the opportunity to “tour” Ontario in a culturally relevant way. The kit also included Ontario-based animal figures, adventure gear such as compasses and binoculars, a mini microscope, and more!