PTBOSpotlight: First Five Club
/Welcome to PTBOSpotlight! Every Friday, this segment showcases a business or organization in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. You will have the opportunity to learn more about the people behind the organization and the work they do for our community.
This week, we are featuring First Five Club. It is owned and founded by Whitney Stoner.
Photo courtesy of Jordan Lyall Photography and First Five Club.
Located at 1-260 Milroy Dr., the First Five Club is a Montessori-inspired playplace and wellness studio designed for families with children up to the age of five.
Customers can drop in with an All-Day Play Pass, bundle visits with a discounted Multi-Pass or join one of our three membership tiers—Play Club, Explorer Club, and All Access Club—all packed with perks like unlimited play, guest passes, class access and exclusive discounts.
“Our space includes a main play area, a glowing sensory room and a cozy lactation and nap room. Every visit includes complimentary coffee, tea, snacks and WiFi—so parents can take a breath while their little ones explore,” explained Stoner. “We also run weekly classes in our studio like Music & Me, KangaDance and Nest & Stretch, plus free-for-member drop-in activities like Little Picassos and Sensory Lounge that run twice a week and are also open to the public.”
The Club is more than just a space to grow and learn for children.
“In addition to our regular play and classes, we host monthly special events and workshops for families looking for more education, support or just a little fun outside the day-to-day,” said Stoner. “We also host birthday parties, baby showers and have our studio available to local professionals to rent.”
Photo courtesy of Jordan Lyall Photography and First Five Club.
Founded in September 2023, the business emerged from the need for social interaction during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stoner became a mom in 2021, when restrictions were not yet fully lifted. She experienced firsthand the challenges of isolation and the struggle to find accessible resources for her family.
“I’m a mom to a spirited four-year-old, and like a lot of parents, I spent the early years of motherhood in the thick of the pandemic—pregnant, isolated, and desperate for connection,” explained Stoner. “First Five Club was born from that experience. I wanted to create a space where families felt seen, supported and surrounded by community. A space where kids could play freely and grownups could breathe for a minute.”
