New to London, Ontario and Canada

[kerrymadison]

Hi there! I am new to the area and very interested in learning about the area! I have about a million questions so I hope many of you can answer them!

I am a stay at home mom of two children; a 7 (almost 8) year old girl, in Grade 3 and a 4 year old boy, in JK.

We are living in North London and moved here from New York. I am interested in finding out information about Pediatricians, family physicians, dentists, things to do with the kids etc. Any advice or direction any of you can give me is greatly appreciated!

I would also be interested in finding out information about playdates as my son is not in full-day kindergarten and we're not sure what to do with ourselves when he's not in school.

I look forward to hearing from you! Thanks, in advance, for your help!
Kerry

[MrsKK]

Welcome You'll find TONS of info here!

[Ginny]

Hi and welcome! What part of NY are you from?

As for finding a pediatrician or a family doctor, you can check on this link:
All Doctors Search | Doctor Search | College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario

Alternatively you can go to a walk in clinic and ask about doctors in the area who are taking new patients. Maybe some of the moms here have info on that?

As for dentists, you can usually just call somewhere and ask to be seen. Do you have drug or medical benefits through your significant others' work? If so I would suggest Dr Plotzke/Payne, they are pediatric dentists near Masonville mall and are fabulous (but a bit $$ if you don't have benefits).

What sort of activities are you thinking for the kids? Like registered classes, outdoor activities, fun places to visit, etc? If you can let us know a bit more specifically then we can help out.

When did you arrive here?

[kymira]

Hi

[flamingogirl]

Welcome! I am also an American living here in Canada-moved here about 5 years ago and love living in London. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions, as I have been there and done that when it comes to the immigration and relocation thing.

[kerrymadison]

Hi and welcome! What part of NY are you from?

As for finding a pediatrician or a family doctor, you can check on this link:
All Doctors Search | Doctor Search | College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario

Alternatively you can go to a walk in clinic and ask about doctors in the area who are taking new patients. Maybe some of the moms here have info on that?

As for dentists, you can usually just call somewhere and ask to be seen. Do you have drug or medical benefits through your significant others' work? If so I would suggest Dr Plotzke/Payne, they are pediatric dentists near Masonville mall and are fabulous (but a bit $$ if you don't have benefits).

What sort of activities are you thinking for the kids? Like registered classes, outdoor activities, fun places to visit, etc? If you can let us know a bit more specifically then we can help out.

When did you arrive here?

Hi and thanks for the info. I am just now trying to navigate through here, so I'm sorry if I'm asking questions that have already been asked

I will get the health card through my husband's work and I assume that will cover us for medical and dental. We have to wait three months, however, until this kicks in. We have already made a few visits to the clinic as both my kids had bronchitis. I'm told sometimes it is difficult to find a pediatrician, so I figure I'd better start right away.

We have been here for a month, but I've spent the last few weeks getting the house in order, my kids in school etc.

As for activities that I'm looking for...all of them. I have checked out Spectrum and signed the kids up for swim lessons. I seem to have missed the window, however, on any other classes.

I'm also looking for things to do w/ the family and, especially, things to do w/ my son when he doesn't have school. I can't sign him up for classes during the day as he is not on a regular schedule w/ school.

[Danie]

Welcome!
Im sure you will love London once u get used to it... I bet its a BIG change from NY..
As for pediatritian, I know my sons doctor takes on kids that do NOT have a family doctor. I can PM you her info. if you would like. Also, I agree with previous posts.. a lot of doctors in walk in clinics are taking on new patients all the time, which is great to get your whole family in at one doctor's office...
Good Luck!

[BabyLove]

Welcome to London and to Londonmoms! It is a great way to make new friends!

[Mother Hen]

Welcome!!

[my2babies]

Hi and thanks for the info. I am just now trying to navigate through here, so I'm sorry if I'm asking questions that have already been asked

I will get the health card through my husband's work and I assume that will cover us for medical and dental. We have to wait three months, however, until this kicks in. We have already made a few visits to the clinic as both my kids had bronchitis. I'm told sometimes it is difficult to find a pediatrician, so I figure I'd better start right away.

We have been here for a month, but I've spent the last few weeks getting the house in order, my kids in school etc.

As for activities that I'm looking for...all of them. I have checked out Spectrum and signed the kids up for swim lessons. I seem to have missed the window, however, on any other classes.

I'm also looking for things to do w/ the family and, especially, things to do w/ my son when he doesn't have school. I can't sign him up for classes during the day as he is not on a regular schedule w/ school.

Welcome! I hope you enjoy living here

I don't where to find a list online but there is lots of (free drop in) playgroups in london through the week.

There is also things like the children's museum that you can get a year membership to.

Adventures on Wonderland, Kidzone (I think it's called in north London), storybook gardens (more in the summer but they have ice skating in the winter) , there are lots of nice parks, there are indoor aquatic centers, lots of library's. (If you google those places you will get more info)

This is one of the farmers market around here. not sure if it's open all year or not, maybe someone else knows.
Western Fair Entertainment Centre


In the summer London is fairly close to beaches, farmer markets, apple orchards in the fall - slowing down but maybe still going for a little bit.

List activities you think your kids might be into, maybe out of spectrum, ppl can tell you where they take their kids.

[christyq]

Welcome to London....I just found a new dentist and I love them....RiverPark dentist in Byron!!! They have a website!!

[Findabhair]

Welcome!

[MrsSunshine]

Welcome!

[lhastie]

Welcome! I'm a Canadian, a LondonMom, hanging out in Illinois at the moment! Hope you settle in to London nicely. We loved the city!

[KittyChan]

Welcome!

Something to realize about health care in Canada is that you don't necessarily need a pediatrician per se - the system here is very geared toward a “family doctor“ for the whole family who will refer you to specialists as needed. It's not like in the states, where you to to an OB/GYN for pap smears, and a GP for flu, and pediatrician for the kids, etc. I think the philosophy is that the family doctor is the gatekeeper who sends you on to others if necessary.

Any medical professionals on the site can correct me if I'm wrong, but this is my impression as an American living in Canada (14 years and counting!).

London is awesome for families. You're gonna love it!