Charlemagne Photo Collage

The Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB) is closing two long-standing EarlyOn Centres in Orléans: Charlemagne and Divine Infant. These closures will leave hundreds of caregivers and children without essential early years programming.

This page gathers all key information, links, contacts, demands, and actions in one place to support community advocacy.

📌 Overview of What’s Happening

  • OCSB is closing two EarlyON Centres:
    • Divine Infant (closed as of September)
      • Provided playgroup programming for children age 0-6 Monday through Friday
      • Closed due to difficulty finding staff and duplication of services with the Charlemagne centre
    • Charlemagne (to close at the end of November)
      • Provides playgroup programming for children age 0-6 Monday through Friday, as well as a baby playgroup twice per week
      • Has supported families for over 30 years at this location attached to St Peter’s High School
      • Closing as the high school is planning to take over the space
  • Both centers were consistently running at or very near capacity.
  • Remaining EarlyON centres in Orléans are already at maximum capacity or open only one morning per week
    • These centers are run by other organizations, and funding that OCSB received through the Ontario EarlyOn Program will not transfer over.
  • No viable alternatives exist for the hundreds of families affected.

It is also notable that St. Elizabeth, another OCSB EarlyOn center, closed in September. As a result, 3 of the 6 OCSB-run EarlyOn centers closed abruptly in 2025, without alternative services secured.

🎯 Impact

With both Charlemagne and Divine Infant closing, the number of English and bilingual EarlyOn service hours in Orléans will drop from 57 hours per week to 15.

📍 Maps

Orleans EarlyON Playgroups

EarlyON Orleans Playgroups

Remaining EarlyON playgroups in Ottawa*

*Following the closure of the Divine Infant and Charlemagne Centers

Source: Incredible Playgroup Finder

EarlyON Playgroups

📣 Parents’ Main Demands

  1. Delay closure until a replacement location is secured.
  2. Keep EarlyON funding in Orléans.

❓ Questions That Require Answers from OCSB

  • When was this decision made?
  • How long has the Board known?
  • Why were families and operators not consulted?
  • Where is the EarlyON funding being redirected?
  • What alternatives were considered?
    • Could the space currently allocated to the EarlyON playgroup be reduced, instead of cancelling the playgroup entirely?
    • Alternatively, has OCSB considered redefining the school’s boundaries (given that there is more capacity at St Matthew High School)?
    • Why not relocate the program to another Orléans school, such as back to Divine Infant or Chapel Hill (which has capacity)?

🚫 Why the Remaining Centres Cannot Absorb Demand

Centrum (46 minutes walk from Charlemagne)

  • Over capacity
  • Cannot absorb hundreds of displaced families

Orleans Resurrection Lutheran Church (1 hour 14 minutes walk from Charlemagne)

  • One morning per week (Tuesday mornings)
  • No baby program

Fallingbrook (18 minutes walk from Charlemagne)

  • One morning per week (Wednesday mornings)
  • No baby program

Many users (including daycares) attend playgroup with multiple children and cannot easily use OCTranspo to travel. By the time they arrive, the centre may already be full.

📝 Petition

Please sign and share:
👉 https://www.change.org/p/keep-charlemagne-early-on-center-in-operation

Poster

Please print this poster which contains a QR code to the petition above. Post it at various locations around town:

  • Grocery Stores
  • Libraries
  • Community Centre
  • Any other places you can think of!

Your assistance is greatly appreciated!

📞 Key Contacts

Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB)

Provincial

Municipal

🤝 Join the Advocacy Effort

There is an active parent-led group organizing outreach, coordination, delegation preparation, and gathering support.

If you would like to get involved, please reach out to claudielarouche@gmail.com

🎤 Media Appearances

🔧 Useful Reference Documents

💛 Why This Matters

EarlyON centres are an essential service in our community that provide:

  • Early childhood education, which supports language, social and emotional skill development, and supports the transition to kindergarte
  • Connection with other caregivers, which reduces feelings of isolation
  • Postpartum mental health support
  • Accessible, no-cost programming
  • Access to advice from professionals trained in early childhood education
  • Information on other resources and services in the community

Orléans is one of the fastest-growing communities in Ottawa. Closing two centres without alternatives is not sustainable or responsible.

💬 Testimonials

"This is such awful news — my heart is heavy. When I first started coming to the Charlemagne EarlyON Centre in 2016, I was a new stay-at-home mum. My girls were toddlers, and I needed the moral support of a caring community of educators and parents. I later met Ms. Kelly and Ms. Karrie when I attended with my youngest, and once again, the community welcomed me with open arms. Kelly even hired me when I was ready to reconnect with my career, and during that time, I also met Ms. Catherine 🙂. My months working at Charlemagne were just as special as my time attending as a parent — this community truly is the best. I’ve written to councillors and education representatives because this decision is truly devastating. I’m heartbroken but determined not to let the centre close without a fight."

— Michelle SG

"I am truly devastated by this news! Ms. Karrie, Ms. Kelly, and Ms. Catherine are such amazing educators — always so kind and welcoming to me and my daughter. I can’t imagine not having this playgroup anymore or not seeing these wonderful educators and fellow parents. This place has meant so much to us. 💛"

— Analis Sakovich

"I had no family here in Ottawa and Early On programs became my family where I did not feel alone and learned so much from. I saw how well it was for my baby’s development. I just moved from Westboro to Orleans and I am so devastated to see two Orleans locations closed. I was hoping to continue bringing my son. I don’t know what to do now as the ones close to me are always at capacity at 9 am. It’s so disheartening to see such programs being cut when it means so much to families. Kids don’t just play there, they learn and develop from each other. These programs also got me out of PPD. I am terribly sad as I had high hopes of having these programs offered in Orleans too."

— Zehra MP

"I have been coming to the centre for probably about 12 years now. With my youngest daughter and with my daycare. It breaks my heart that people don't see the value in keeping it running. It's been a lifeline to so many parents, including me."

— Annick Gagnon

"My daughter frequently visited both Divine Infant and Charlemagne when she was on her maternity leave. When I took on the care of my granddaughter and another child we visited the programs on a weekly basis. I am aware of the history of the space and the vital link it holds for parents, guardians, caregivers, newcomers and especially the precious children in our community."

— Twylla Hodgins

Charlemagne Photo Collage