Since 1953, Grandview Kids has provided high-quality, family-centred rehabilitation services to children and youth with communication, physical and developmental needs in Durham Region. In that time, much has changed, as we grew to respond to our community’s needs, but much remained the same as we continued to serve Durham Region children and families with great care, focus and commitment. This exhibit will discuss the history of Grandview Kids and will provide for a space to reflect on our past while planning for the future to continue to ensure that all children and youth can live their lives to their fullest potential.
Early years
Originating in 1953 as the “Oshawa and District Cerebral Palsy Parents Council,” we aimed to offer local pediatric medical services so parents would not have to venture to Toronto for specialized health care. By 1954, the Council was granted permission to hold a play school once a week at Rotary Hall. Later that same year, the Council would move into its first permanent home within Simcoe Hall in Oshawa and begin operating a children’s school. This school would later become “Campbell Children’s School” in 1987, and “Grandview School” in 2024. The introduction of a physiotherapist to the school team prompted a name change to the “Oshawa and District Cerebral Palsy School and Clinic.”
Continued growth and development
As the 1950s ended, Ontario entered a recession. In 1958, with ever increasing expenses, the Centre found itself unable to raise the necessary funds for a sustainable budget for the school and clinic. Due to this, in 1961, the Parent’s Council allowed the Women’s Welfare League to assume responsibility the administration of the school and clinic.
Around the same time, a decision was made to rename the Centre “Simcoe Hall Crippled Children’s School and Treatment Centre” – a term that, at the time, referred to individuals with disabilities, though now is considered highly inappropriate and no longer used by the Centre. The name would continue to be used until 1987.
The Cerebral Palsy School Board was formed in late 1987, which was the forerunner of the Campbell Children’s School Authority, which became the Grandview School Authority in 2024.
As the Centre continued to grow, the Welfare League acquired Public School Building USS #6 East Whitby in 1963 as the first independent site, restoring the property as a joint project between the Parents Council, the YMCA and Simcoe Hall. This location was used as the new school and clinic until 1967, when the building was replaced by a larger building. This building would continue to serve as the main site for Grandview Children’s Centre until 1980, with a visit from Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau in 1971.
Another new home
Enrollment growth in the 1970s led to a new facility funded jointly by the Ministry of Health and the Women’s Welfare League. A change of location was necessitated due to a floodplain designation at the previous site. The site was purchased by the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (now part of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority) for $300,000.
A new site was chosen nearby at Harmony and Townline in Oshawa, and construction commenced later that year. That same year, it was decided to remove the word “Crippled” from the Centre’s name, rebranding as “Simcoe Hall Childrens Centre.” In 1985, at the request of the Women’s League, the Centre changed its name to the “Grandview Rehabilitation and Treatment Centre of Durham Region.”
In 1986, the first satellite locations opened in Port Perry and Pickering, with additional satellite locations in Oshawa, Whitby and Ajax opening throughout the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.
In 1995, the Centre received its first accreditation from the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation.
Grandview Kids today
In June of 2004, an application was made to the Ministry of Community and Business Affairs to change the name of the organization once again to ”Grandview Childrens Centre,” which was approved that September. The brand name was changed to “Grandview Kids” in 2014, when the current logo was introduced.
In 2019, funding for a new state-of-the-art Grandview Kids headquarters was announced, with a ground-breaking ceremony occurring on April 22, 2022. The state-of-the-art headquarters – this building – opened in Fall 2024. As operations transitioned to the new headquarters, satellite offices at Whitby Mall, Ajax (Westney), Airport Boulevard and Oshawa Main (Townline Road) closed, while locations in North Oshawa, Port Perry, Whitby and Bowmanville remained to ensure access to services for clients across Durham Region.
Grandview Kids is proud to continue serving the Durham Region community. Harnessing the state-of-the-art features and collaboration spaces, we will better support clients, caregivers, partners and Team Grandview for years to come.
Additional photos from our archives
About Grandview Kids Archives
The Grandview Kids Archives were initially established in 2015 by Victoria Nelimarkka and then updated by Mitchell Daniels in 2022. The Archives preserve Grandview Kids’ rich and meaningful history.
The collection contains a large assortment of documents, articles, films and photographs related to the Centre, School and Foundation. The collection is used for education and research, with some items on display to the public across Grandview Kids locations and on our digital channels.
If you have have any questions about our history, would like to donate to the collection or see specific items, please email communications@grandviewkids.ca.
