Our Classes

We are proud to offer

It Takes a Village: A class for Grandparents and other Supporters

The last 30 years have offered families more information on Infant Mental Health, Skin to Skin and strategies to support attachment,  which has resulted in changes in our day-to-day parenting techniques.  Our parenting values of unconditional love,  understanding, and parenting with intention have all remained. Still, the tools available to us have changed, and the work-life balance for families is different.  Leave with practical strategies to support your adult children and grandchildren, your exteIt Takes a Village: A class for Grandparents and other Supportersnded family members, or your very best friend through the following topics and more!   

We will cover newborn sleep recommendations
Car seat use & safety
Babywearing
Infant feeding recommendations
Strategies for staying healthy in winter
Supporting a new family with practical tips 


How you can use technology to stay connected to your grandchild

Cost is $125.
Registration is per couple OR for one participant and their Plus-One (ie, Grandma-to-be and an Auntie ).

Leave feeling excited to be able to offer support for your family that reflects all of your family’s values.

Refund Policy:  Classes cancelled from the time of booking until 14 days before the class start incur a $25 administration fee. Classes cancelled between 7-14 days; 50% cancellation fee. Classes cancelled with less than 7 days’ notice; no refund

People who took our class had this to say:


We dearly want to support the health of expectant families.

Bringing Baby Home was a practical, yet evidence-based course, to help expectant parents learn the ins and outs of the first year and beyond. An abundance of resources is presented to the participants in multiple formats - web-based, books, and also by using a hands-on approach. Hands-on introduction to both slings/carriers and diapers (disposable vs. multiple cloth) allows you sample products without the pressure of being in a store or purchasing a variety and figuring it out by trial and error. The instructor was extremely knowledgeable, approachable and encouraging. I would highly recommend this course as a step-above most baby courses!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

The OCEA prenatal course was amazing. We are first time parents and honestly didn't know what to expect or how to prepare for the arrival of our baby. This course and Brandie were excellent and have really helped us prepare with the most useful in depth information. It was more than we could have hoped for. .

Pre Natal – with Brandie Lekovic

We really appreciated the very frank, honest, non-judgemental explanations. It has helped us to separate the facts from the opinions.

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

We had a great 6 weeks with Julia! We really enjoyed her facilitation of the prenatal class and topics/information presented and discussed. It was very helpful and informative. We really appreciated Julia's down-to-earth nature and very realistic views and presentation of the topics. Julia was very detailed but kept it light and realistic with no sugar coating :) - which is just what we needed!

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

Julia was wonderful. She kept us engaged and created an environment where we felt comfortable asking questions and was very thro with each topic. Highly recommend:)

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

Julia was so helpful and answered all the questions I had which really helped to ease some of the anxiousness I've been facing with covid19 restrictions in place and how it may impact my birth experience. I am so thankful for her knowledge and care!

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

LOVED Erin, her knowledge and experience, her positive non-judgemental attitude, her stories, everything. We truly enjoyed the class and were sad when it ended!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

The classes offered by Ottawa CEA are great courses for first time parents. We took the prenatal classes and the Bringing Baby Home classes. My husband and I really enjoyed them. They were very useful to get up to date information specific to Ottawa. It helped us greatly in preparing to be parents. The classes stimulated a lot of discussion between us that I do not think we would have had if we did not take the classes. Erin and Tabitha are great instructors, we really enjoyed our time with them. Thank you!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Erin is a fabulous teacher! Great personality, very approachable, very non-judgemental. She is also super knowledgable. Would highly recommend her and would love to hire her as a Doula if they are allowed to work again when we give deliver.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

My husband and I had the pleasure of attending prenatal classes this weekend, guided by the wonderful Michelle. Her kindness, expertise, and unwavering support made the experience truly invaluable. From Saturday to Sunday, we felt empowered and informed, thanks to her guidance. Without hesitation, I would wholeheartedly recommend these classes to any expecting couple. Michelle's dedication and warmth create an environment where you feel not only prepared but also genuinely cared for.

Pre Natal – with Michelle Morra

The OCEA prenatal class was so informative. My husband and I walked away from the classes feeling like we had a lot of information and the necessary tools to make informed decisions that fit our birth plan and our own family preference for our at-hospital birth. My husband was also really pleased with the course because it offered a lot of information on the role of the birth partner, which is information you don’t find readily available online unfortunately. We highly recommend any new parents to take this course so that you can feel prepared and make decisions on your birth date that you feel comfortable with.

Pre Natal – with Michelle Morra

Yes. If you only take one class before the birth of your baby, I would highly recommend that it be the Bringing Baby Home class. My husband and I learned so much during this class that has increased our confidence in our ability to parent. We also feel like we are much more aware of the resources that are available to us as parents, which will also be very useful.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen


 
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  • Online

    It Takes a Village
    3 weekdays
    Mon, Jan. 12 · Jan. 19 & Jan. 26, 2026
    07:00 PM - 09:15 PM
    Online Class Using Zoom
    Register now

  • Online

    It Takes a Village
    3 weekdays
    Mon, Feb. 9 · Feb. 16 & Feb. 23, 2026
    07:00 PM - 09:15 PM
    Online Class Using Zoom
    Register now

  • Online

    It Takes a Village
    3 weekdays
    Mon, March 16 · March 23 & March 30, 2026
    07:00 PM - 09:15 PM
    Online Class Using Zoom
    Register now

  • Online

    It Takes a Village
    3 weekdays
    Mon, April 20 · April 27 & May 4, 2026
    07:00 PM - 09:15 PM
    Online Class Using Zoom
    Register now