LION (Learning In Our Neighbourhood) is a mobile early learning centres program created in response to census data which showed that a quarter of Peel Region’s children are not school-ready as they enter Grade 1. Instead of parents having to look for child development programs, the LION vehicle comes  to them.

“The dramatic population increase in Peel Region has highlighted the absence of crucial early learning resources in some newer, high-density neighbourhoods,” said Anne Fenwick, Director of Family Heath with the Peel Public Health Department and volunteer ambassador for LION. “LION is an innovative solution designed to fill this gap until permanent early year services can be established.”

Two fully-equipped LION vehicles to provide services in Brampton. With the support of a $1.5 million grant from the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, a third vehicle is now in designated Mississauga neighbourhoods. The grant supports programming in all three LIONs.

A full day of parent/child interactive programs

The vehicles travel to designated communities where early learning programs for families are still scarce and park adjacent to a school or other convenient community service location. Families come on the LION to attend parent/child interactive play-based programs with a language, literacy and numeracy focus. Parents and caregivers can talk to early childhood professionals about parenting and early child development as well as access information on services to support individual and family needs. Newcomers to Canada can learn about services throughout Peel including, settlement, employment and language support programs. 

“Success By 6 Peel recognizes that there are many underserviced communities in Peel and preschoolers are losing out,” said Tiffanie Boyd, a volunteer LION ambassador and VP, Human Resources at General Mills Canada Corporation. “The LION program gives children a wonderful learning experience and creates a community of support for parents and caregivers.”

 The LION initiative is coordinated by Success By 6 Peel and has numerous key partners: The Region of Peel, the Brampton Library; Child Development Resource Connection Peel; Malton Neighbourhood Services; Mississauga Parent Child Resource Centres; Peel District School Board; Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board.

The initiative is funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the Region of Peel.

LION vehicles are now visiting fourteen schools in Brampton and Mississauga and the Sheridan Centre in Mississauga at a designated neighbourhood location weekly. All programs require pre- registration.

Families attend parent/child interactive play-based programs. focussing on language, literacy and numeracy supported through play, songs and stories. Parents and caregivers can talk to early childhood professionals about parenting and early child development and access information on services to support individual and family needs.

Program Information
LION Locations
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