• Overview
  • Profiles
    • Provincial/Territorial Profiles
      • Federal
      • Newfoundland and Labrador
      • Prince Edward Island
      • Nova Scotia
      • New Brunswick
      • Quebec
      • Ontario
      • Manitoba
      • Saskatchewan
      • Alberta
      • British Columbia
      • Northwest Territories
      • Yukon
      • Nunavut
    • CWELCC TRACKER
      • Newfoundland and Labrador
      • Prince Edward Island
      • Nova Scotia
      • New Brunswick
      • Ontario
      • Manitoba
      • Saskatchewan
      • Alberta
      • British Columbia
      • Northwest Territories
      • Nunavut
      • Yukon
  • Results & Trends
  • Methodology
  • Previous Reports
    • ECE Report 2020
      • Overview 2020
      • Methodology
      • Acknowledgements
      • Terms & Definitions
      • Charts and Graphs
      • Q & A
      • Videos
      • Media
      • About the Authors
    • ECE Report 2017
      • Summary Report 2017
        • Summary Report
        • Attention to Governance
        • More Funding
        • Access
        • Quality
        • Accountability
        • Challenges
        • Acknowledgements
        • Terms Used
      • ECE Report 2017 Results
      • ECE Trends
      • Methodology
        • Methodology
        • Developing the Report
        • The Influence of The OECD and other International Measures
        • The ECE Report Categories
        • Attaining the Benchmarks
          • I. Benchmarks focused on governance for integrated early childhood education
          • II. Benchmarks focused on funding to promote quality, access and equity
          • III. Benchmarks focused on equitable access
          • IV. Benchmarks focusing on quality in the early learning environment
          • V. Benchmarks focused on accountability
        • Next Steps for The Early Childhood Education Report
        • References
      • Federal Profile
      • Provincial/Territorial Profiles
        • Federal
        • Newfoundland and Labrador
        • Prince Edward Island
        • Nova Scotia
        • New Brunswick
        • Quebec
        • Ontario
        • Manitoba
        • Saskatchewan
        • Alberta
        • British Columbia
        • Northwest Territories
        • Nunavut
        • Yukon
      • Charts and Graphs
    • ECE Report 2014
      • Executive Summary
        • The Policy Gap
        • Attention to Governance
        • More Funding
        • More Programming
        • Improved Quality
        • Challenges Remain
        • Access Matters but so Does Quality
        • Funding Methodology Matters
        • The Education/Care Gap
        • Results
      • Early Childhood Education - Full Report
        • Direct Federal Funding to ECE Programs
        • Policy Developments: The Provinces & Territories
          • 1. Governance
          • 2. Funding
          • 3. Access
          • 5. Accountability
          • 4. Learning Environments
          • 6. Trends
        • References
        • Terms used in the Early Childhood Education Report 2014
        • Acknowledgements
      • Provincial/Territorial Profiles
        • Newfoundland and Labrador
        • Prince Edward Island
        • Nova Scotia
        • New Brunswick
        • Quebec
        • Ontario
        • Manitoba
        • Saskatchewan
        • Alberta
        • British Columbia
        • Northwest Territories
      • Methodology
        • Developing the Report
        • The Influence of The OECD and other International Measures
        • The ECE Report 2014 Categories
        • Attaining the Benchmarks
          • I. Benchmarks focused on governance for integrated early childhood education
          • II. Benchmarks focused on funding to promote quality, access and equity
          • III. Benchmarks focused on equitable access
          • IV. Benchmarks focusing on quality in the early learning environment
          • V. Benchmarks focused on accountability
        • Next Steps for The Early Childhood Education Report 2014
        • References
      • About the Authors
      • Questions & Answers
      • Results at a Glance
      • What Others are Saying
      • Presentations & Resources
        • Presentations
        • Videos
    • ECE Report 2011 (Early Years Study 3)
      • Introduction: Foundations are Stepping up for Children
        • 1. Getting crazy for the kids
        • 2. Changing the conversation
        • 3. The resources can be found
        • 4. Turning Science into Action
      • Introduction: Mothers and others needed for healthy human development
        • 1. Childhood makes us human
        • 2. Closing the gap between rich and poor
        • Introduction: References
      • Chapter 1: A Smart Start for School and Life
        • 1. Good education cares
        • 2. The child care dilemma
        • 3. The loop in the public debate
        • 4. Starting from education's base
        • 5. One-in-four start out disadvantaged
        • 6. Democracy in trouble
        • 7. Making a difference
        • 8. Paying for inaction
        • 9. Turning chaos into systems
        • 10. Changing populations
        • 11. Changing families
        • Chapter 1: Figures
        • Chapter 1: References
      • Chapter 2: Early Life and Learning, Behaviour and Health
        • 1. Genes and environments
        • 2. Building the brain's architecture
        • 3. Sensory Pathways
        • 4. The limbic system pathways
        • 5. Prefrontal cortex pathways
        • 6. Language pathways
        • 7. Learning, behaviour and health
        • 8. Early adversity and later life
        • 9. Consilience: A new framework of understanding
        • Chapter 2: Figures
        • Chapter 2: References
      • Chapter 3: Creating Spaces and Places for Young Children and Families
        • 1. Celebrating childhood
        • 2. What early childhood education offers children and families
        • 3. Components of quality early childhood education
        • 4. Educators matter
        • 5. Early childhood options for all
        • 6. Challenges to early childhood service integration
        • 7. Benefits of early childhood program integration
        • 8. New thinking for new challenges
        • 9. Influencing policy change
        • Chapter 3: Figures
        • Chapter 3: References
      • Chapter 4: Early Childhood Education as Economic Development
        • 1. Decades of research reveal benefits
        • 2. Canadian cost-benefit analyses
        • 3. Developing community capacity to support children
        • 4. Child care as regional economic development
        • 5. Preschool as economic stimulus
        • 6. Early childhood programming: A no cost solution
        • 7. Wisely investing in early childhood
        • Chapter 4: Figures
        • Chapter 4: References
      • Chapter 5: Public Policy Shapes Early Childhood Programs
        • 1. Federal involvement in ECE policy and programs
        • 2. Direct federal funding to ECE programs
        • 3.1 Policy developments: The provinces and territories - Governance
        • 3.2 Policy developments: The provinces and territories - Funding
        • 3.3 Policy developments: The Provinces and Territories - Access
        • 3.4 Policy developments: The Provinces and Territories - Learning Environments
        • 4. Curriculum
        • 5. Next Steps
        • Chapter 5: Figures
        • Chapter 5: References
      • Chapter 6: Where are we? How Far do we have to go?
        • 1. Improving outcomes for children
        • 2. Three make passing grade
        • Chapter 6: Figures
        • Chapter 6: References
        • Download the Study
      • ECE Report
        • Early Childhood Education Report 2011
        • Developing the Report
        • The influence of the OECD and other international measures
        • The ECDI categories
        • I. Benchmarks focused on governance for integrated early childhood education
        • II. Benchmarks focused on funding to promote quality, access and equity
        • III. Benchmarks focused on equitable access
        • IV. Benchmarks focusing on quality in the early learning environment
        • V. Benchmarks focused on accountability
        • Next Steps for the Early Childhood Education Report 2011
        • Download Report
    • All Studies
  • Workforce
  • Resources
    • Acknowledgements
    • Terms & Definitions
    • Charts and Graphs 2023
    • Questions & Answers
    • Videos
    • Media
    • About the Authors
  • Contact
EN | FR
EN | FR
EN | FR
EN | FR
  • Overview
  • Profiles
    • Provincial/Territorial Profiles
      • Federal
      • Newfoundland and Labrador
      • Prince Edward Island
      • Nova Scotia
      • New Brunswick
      • Quebec
      • Ontario
      • Manitoba
      • Saskatchewan
      • Alberta
      • British Columbia
      • Northwest Territories
      • Yukon
      • Nunavut
    • CWELCC TRACKER
      • Newfoundland and Labrador
      • Prince Edward Island
      • Nova Scotia
      • New Brunswick
      • Ontario
      • Manitoba
      • Saskatchewan
      • Alberta
      • British Columbia
      • Northwest Territories
      • Nunavut
      • Yukon
  • Results & Trends
  • Methodology
  • Previous Reports
    • ECE Report 2020
      • Overview 2020
      • Methodology
      • Acknowledgements
      • Terms & Definitions
      • Charts and Graphs
      • Q & A
      • Videos
      • Media
      • About the Authors
    • ECE Report 2017
      • Summary Report 2017
        • Summary Report
        • Attention to Governance
        • More Funding
        • Access
        • Quality
        • Accountability
        • Challenges
        • Acknowledgements
        • Terms Used
      • ECE Report 2017 Results
      • ECE Trends
      • Methodology
        • Methodology
        • Developing the Report
        • The Influence of The OECD and other International Measures
        • The ECE Report Categories
        • Attaining the Benchmarks
          • I. Benchmarks focused on governance for integrated early childhood education
          • II. Benchmarks focused on funding to promote quality, access and equity
          • III. Benchmarks focused on equitable access
          • IV. Benchmarks focusing on quality in the early learning environment
          • V. Benchmarks focused on accountability
        • Next Steps for The Early Childhood Education Report
        • References
      • Federal Profile
      • Provincial/Territorial Profiles
        • Federal
        • Newfoundland and Labrador
        • Prince Edward Island
        • Nova Scotia
        • New Brunswick
        • Quebec
        • Ontario
        • Manitoba
        • Saskatchewan
        • Alberta
        • British Columbia
        • Northwest Territories
        • Nunavut
        • Yukon
      • Charts and Graphs
    • ECE Report 2014
      • Executive Summary
        • The Policy Gap
        • Attention to Governance
        • More Funding
        • More Programming
        • Improved Quality
        • Challenges Remain
        • Access Matters but so Does Quality
        • Funding Methodology Matters
        • The Education/Care Gap
        • Results
      • Early Childhood Education - Full Report
        • Direct Federal Funding to ECE Programs
        • Policy Developments: The Provinces & Territories
          • 1. Governance
          • 2. Funding
          • 3. Access
          • 5. Accountability
          • 4. Learning Environments
          • 6. Trends
        • References
        • Terms used in the Early Childhood Education Report 2014
        • Acknowledgements
      • Provincial/Territorial Profiles
        • Newfoundland and Labrador
        • Prince Edward Island
        • Nova Scotia
        • New Brunswick
        • Quebec
        • Ontario
        • Manitoba
        • Saskatchewan
        • Alberta
        • British Columbia
        • Northwest Territories
      • Methodology
        • Developing the Report
        • The Influence of The OECD and other International Measures
        • The ECE Report 2014 Categories
        • Attaining the Benchmarks
          • I. Benchmarks focused on governance for integrated early childhood education
          • II. Benchmarks focused on funding to promote quality, access and equity
          • III. Benchmarks focused on equitable access
          • IV. Benchmarks focusing on quality in the early learning environment
          • V. Benchmarks focused on accountability
        • Next Steps for The Early Childhood Education Report 2014
        • References
      • About the Authors
      • Questions & Answers
      • Results at a Glance
      • What Others are Saying
      • Presentations & Resources
        • Presentations
        • Videos
    • ECE Report 2011 (Early Years Study 3)
      • Introduction: Foundations are Stepping up for Children
        • 1. Getting crazy for the kids
        • 2. Changing the conversation
        • 3. The resources can be found
        • 4. Turning Science into Action
      • Introduction: Mothers and others needed for healthy human development
        • 1. Childhood makes us human
        • 2. Closing the gap between rich and poor
        • Introduction: References
      • Chapter 1: A Smart Start for School and Life
        • 1. Good education cares
        • 2. The child care dilemma
        • 3. The loop in the public debate
        • 4. Starting from education's base
        • 5. One-in-four start out disadvantaged
        • 6. Democracy in trouble
        • 7. Making a difference
        • 8. Paying for inaction
        • 9. Turning chaos into systems
        • 10. Changing populations
        • 11. Changing families
        • Chapter 1: Figures
        • Chapter 1: References
      • Chapter 2: Early Life and Learning, Behaviour and Health
        • 1. Genes and environments
        • 2. Building the brain's architecture
        • 3. Sensory Pathways
        • 4. The limbic system pathways
        • 5. Prefrontal cortex pathways
        • 6. Language pathways
        • 7. Learning, behaviour and health
        • 8. Early adversity and later life
        • 9. Consilience: A new framework of understanding
        • Chapter 2: Figures
        • Chapter 2: References
      • Chapter 3: Creating Spaces and Places for Young Children and Families
        • 1. Celebrating childhood
        • 2. What early childhood education offers children and families
        • 3. Components of quality early childhood education
        • 4. Educators matter
        • 5. Early childhood options for all
        • 6. Challenges to early childhood service integration
        • 7. Benefits of early childhood program integration
        • 8. New thinking for new challenges
        • 9. Influencing policy change
        • Chapter 3: Figures
        • Chapter 3: References
      • Chapter 4: Early Childhood Education as Economic Development
        • 1. Decades of research reveal benefits
        • 2. Canadian cost-benefit analyses
        • 3. Developing community capacity to support children
        • 4. Child care as regional economic development
        • 5. Preschool as economic stimulus
        • 6. Early childhood programming: A no cost solution
        • 7. Wisely investing in early childhood
        • Chapter 4: Figures
        • Chapter 4: References
      • Chapter 5: Public Policy Shapes Early Childhood Programs
        • 1. Federal involvement in ECE policy and programs
        • 2. Direct federal funding to ECE programs
        • 3.1 Policy developments: The provinces and territories - Governance
        • 3.2 Policy developments: The provinces and territories - Funding
        • 3.3 Policy developments: The Provinces and Territories - Access
        • 3.4 Policy developments: The Provinces and Territories - Learning Environments
        • 4. Curriculum
        • 5. Next Steps
        • Chapter 5: Figures
        • Chapter 5: References
      • Chapter 6: Where are we? How Far do we have to go?
        • 1. Improving outcomes for children
        • 2. Three make passing grade
        • Chapter 6: Figures
        • Chapter 6: References
        • Download the Study
      • ECE Report
        • Early Childhood Education Report 2011
        • Developing the Report
        • The influence of the OECD and other international measures
        • The ECDI categories
        • I. Benchmarks focused on governance for integrated early childhood education
        • II. Benchmarks focused on funding to promote quality, access and equity
        • III. Benchmarks focused on equitable access
        • IV. Benchmarks focusing on quality in the early learning environment
        • V. Benchmarks focused on accountability
        • Next Steps for the Early Childhood Education Report 2011
        • Download Report
    • All Studies
  • Workforce
  • Resources
    • Acknowledgements
    • Terms & Definitions
    • Charts and Graphs 2023
    • Questions & Answers
    • Videos
    • Media
    • About the Authors
  • Contact
  • Overview
  • Profiles
    • Provincial/Territorial Profiles
      • Federal
      • Newfoundland and Labrador
      • Prince Edward Island
      • Nova Scotia
      • New Brunswick
      • Quebec
      • Ontario
      • Manitoba
      • Saskatchewan
      • Alberta
      • British Columbia
      • Northwest Territories
      • Yukon
      • Nunavut
    • CWELCC TRACKER
      • Newfoundland and Labrador
      • Prince Edward Island
      • Nova Scotia
      • New Brunswick
      • Ontario
      • Manitoba
      • Saskatchewan
      • Alberta
      • British Columbia
      • Northwest Territories
      • Nunavut
      • Yukon
  • Results & Trends
  • Methodology
  • Previous Reports
    • ECE Report 2020
      • Overview 2020
      • Methodology
      • Acknowledgements
      • Terms & Definitions
      • Charts and Graphs
      • Q & A
      • Videos
      • Media
      • About the Authors
    • ECE Report 2017
      • Summary Report 2017
        • Summary Report
        • Attention to Governance
        • More Funding
        • Access
        • Quality
        • Accountability
        • Challenges
        • Acknowledgements
        • Terms Used
      • ECE Report 2017 Results
      • ECE Trends
      • Methodology
        • Methodology
        • Developing the Report
        • The Influence of The OECD and other International Measures
        • The ECE Report Categories
        • Attaining the Benchmarks
          • I. Benchmarks focused on governance for integrated early childhood education
          • II. Benchmarks focused on funding to promote quality, access and equity
          • III. Benchmarks focused on equitable access
          • IV. Benchmarks focusing on quality in the early learning environment
          • V. Benchmarks focused on accountability
        • Next Steps for The Early Childhood Education Report
        • References
      • Federal Profile
      • Provincial/Territorial Profiles
        • Federal
        • Newfoundland and Labrador
        • Prince Edward Island
        • Nova Scotia
        • New Brunswick
        • Quebec
        • Ontario
        • Manitoba
        • Saskatchewan
        • Alberta
        • British Columbia
        • Northwest Territories
        • Nunavut
        • Yukon
      • Charts and Graphs
    • ECE Report 2014
      • Executive Summary
        • The Policy Gap
        • Attention to Governance
        • More Funding
        • More Programming
        • Improved Quality
        • Challenges Remain
        • Access Matters but so Does Quality
        • Funding Methodology Matters
        • The Education/Care Gap
        • Results
      • Early Childhood Education - Full Report
        • Direct Federal Funding to ECE Programs
        • Policy Developments: The Provinces & Territories
          • 1. Governance
          • 2. Funding
          • 3. Access
          • 5. Accountability
          • 4. Learning Environments
          • 6. Trends
        • References
        • Terms used in the Early Childhood Education Report 2014
        • Acknowledgements
      • Provincial/Territorial Profiles
        • Newfoundland and Labrador
        • Prince Edward Island
        • Nova Scotia
        • New Brunswick
        • Quebec
        • Ontario
        • Manitoba
        • Saskatchewan
        • Alberta
        • British Columbia
        • Northwest Territories
      • Methodology
        • Developing the Report
        • The Influence of The OECD and other International Measures
        • The ECE Report 2014 Categories
        • Attaining the Benchmarks
          • I. Benchmarks focused on governance for integrated early childhood education
          • II. Benchmarks focused on funding to promote quality, access and equity
          • III. Benchmarks focused on equitable access
          • IV. Benchmarks focusing on quality in the early learning environment
          • V. Benchmarks focused on accountability
        • Next Steps for The Early Childhood Education Report 2014
        • References
      • About the Authors
      • Questions & Answers
      • Results at a Glance
      • What Others are Saying
      • Presentations & Resources
        • Presentations
        • Videos
    • ECE Report 2011 (Early Years Study 3)
      • Introduction: Foundations are Stepping up for Children
        • 1. Getting crazy for the kids
        • 2. Changing the conversation
        • 3. The resources can be found
        • 4. Turning Science into Action
      • Introduction: Mothers and others needed for healthy human development
        • 1. Childhood makes us human
        • 2. Closing the gap between rich and poor
        • Introduction: References
      • Chapter 1: A Smart Start for School and Life
        • 1. Good education cares
        • 2. The child care dilemma
        • 3. The loop in the public debate
        • 4. Starting from education's base
        • 5. One-in-four start out disadvantaged
        • 6. Democracy in trouble
        • 7. Making a difference
        • 8. Paying for inaction
        • 9. Turning chaos into systems
        • 10. Changing populations
        • 11. Changing families
        • Chapter 1: Figures
        • Chapter 1: References
      • Chapter 2: Early Life and Learning, Behaviour and Health
        • 1. Genes and environments
        • 2. Building the brain's architecture
        • 3. Sensory Pathways
        • 4. The limbic system pathways
        • 5. Prefrontal cortex pathways
        • 6. Language pathways
        • 7. Learning, behaviour and health
        • 8. Early adversity and later life
        • 9. Consilience: A new framework of understanding
        • Chapter 2: Figures
        • Chapter 2: References
      • Chapter 3: Creating Spaces and Places for Young Children and Families
        • 1. Celebrating childhood
        • 2. What early childhood education offers children and families
        • 3. Components of quality early childhood education
        • 4. Educators matter
        • 5. Early childhood options for all
        • 6. Challenges to early childhood service integration
        • 7. Benefits of early childhood program integration
        • 8. New thinking for new challenges
        • 9. Influencing policy change
        • Chapter 3: Figures
        • Chapter 3: References
      • Chapter 4: Early Childhood Education as Economic Development
        • 1. Decades of research reveal benefits
        • 2. Canadian cost-benefit analyses
        • 3. Developing community capacity to support children
        • 4. Child care as regional economic development
        • 5. Preschool as economic stimulus
        • 6. Early childhood programming: A no cost solution
        • 7. Wisely investing in early childhood
        • Chapter 4: Figures
        • Chapter 4: References
      • Chapter 5: Public Policy Shapes Early Childhood Programs
        • 1. Federal involvement in ECE policy and programs
        • 2. Direct federal funding to ECE programs
        • 3.1 Policy developments: The provinces and territories - Governance
        • 3.2 Policy developments: The provinces and territories - Funding
        • 3.3 Policy developments: The Provinces and Territories - Access
        • 3.4 Policy developments: The Provinces and Territories - Learning Environments
        • 4. Curriculum
        • 5. Next Steps
        • Chapter 5: Figures
        • Chapter 5: References
      • Chapter 6: Where are we? How Far do we have to go?
        • 1. Improving outcomes for children
        • 2. Three make passing grade
        • Chapter 6: Figures
        • Chapter 6: References
        • Download the Study
      • ECE Report
        • Early Childhood Education Report 2011
        • Developing the Report
        • The influence of the OECD and other international measures
        • The ECDI categories
        • I. Benchmarks focused on governance for integrated early childhood education
        • II. Benchmarks focused on funding to promote quality, access and equity
        • III. Benchmarks focused on equitable access
        • IV. Benchmarks focusing on quality in the early learning environment
        • V. Benchmarks focused on accountability
        • Next Steps for the Early Childhood Education Report 2011
        • Download Report
    • All Studies
  • Workforce
  • Resources
    • Acknowledgements
    • Terms & Definitions
    • Charts and Graphs 2023
    • Questions & Answers
    • Videos
    • Media
    • About the Authors
  • Contact
  • Overview
  • Profiles
    • Provincial/Territorial Profiles
      • Federal
      • Newfoundland and Labrador
      • Prince Edward Island
      • Nova Scotia
      • New Brunswick
      • Quebec
      • Ontario
      • Manitoba
      • Saskatchewan
      • Alberta
      • British Columbia
      • Northwest Territories
      • Yukon
      • Nunavut
    • CWELCC TRACKER
      • Newfoundland and Labrador
      • Prince Edward Island
      • Nova Scotia
      • New Brunswick
      • Ontario
      • Manitoba
      • Saskatchewan
      • Alberta
      • British Columbia
      • Northwest Territories
      • Nunavut
      • Yukon
  • Results & Trends
  • Methodology
  • Previous Reports
    • ECE Report 2020
      • Overview 2020
      • Methodology
      • Acknowledgements
      • Terms & Definitions
      • Charts and Graphs
      • Q & A
      • Videos
      • Media
      • About the Authors
    • ECE Report 2017
      • Summary Report 2017
        • Summary Report
        • Attention to Governance
        • More Funding
        • Access
        • Quality
        • Accountability
        • Challenges
        • Acknowledgements
        • Terms Used
      • ECE Report 2017 Results
      • ECE Trends
      • Methodology
        • Methodology
        • Developing the Report
        • The Influence of The OECD and other International Measures
        • The ECE Report Categories
        • Attaining the Benchmarks
          • I. Benchmarks focused on governance for integrated early childhood education
          • II. Benchmarks focused on funding to promote quality, access and equity
          • III. Benchmarks focused on equitable access
          • IV. Benchmarks focusing on quality in the early learning environment
          • V. Benchmarks focused on accountability
        • Next Steps for The Early Childhood Education Report
        • References
      • Federal Profile
      • Provincial/Territorial Profiles
        • Federal
        • Newfoundland and Labrador
        • Prince Edward Island
        • Nova Scotia
        • New Brunswick
        • Quebec
        • Ontario
        • Manitoba
        • Saskatchewan
        • Alberta
        • British Columbia
        • Northwest Territories
        • Nunavut
        • Yukon
      • Charts and Graphs
    • ECE Report 2014
      • Executive Summary
        • The Policy Gap
        • Attention to Governance
        • More Funding
        • More Programming
        • Improved Quality
        • Challenges Remain
        • Access Matters but so Does Quality
        • Funding Methodology Matters
        • The Education/Care Gap
        • Results
      • Early Childhood Education - Full Report
        • Direct Federal Funding to ECE Programs
        • Policy Developments: The Provinces & Territories
          • 1. Governance
          • 2. Funding
          • 3. Access
          • 5. Accountability
          • 4. Learning Environments
          • 6. Trends
        • References
        • Terms used in the Early Childhood Education Report 2014
        • Acknowledgements
      • Provincial/Territorial Profiles
        • Newfoundland and Labrador
        • Prince Edward Island
        • Nova Scotia
        • New Brunswick
        • Quebec
        • Ontario
        • Manitoba
        • Saskatchewan
        • Alberta
        • British Columbia
        • Northwest Territories
      • Methodology
        • Developing the Report
        • The Influence of The OECD and other International Measures
        • The ECE Report 2014 Categories
        • Attaining the Benchmarks
          • I. Benchmarks focused on governance for integrated early childhood education
          • II. Benchmarks focused on funding to promote quality, access and equity
          • III. Benchmarks focused on equitable access
          • IV. Benchmarks focusing on quality in the early learning environment
          • V. Benchmarks focused on accountability
        • Next Steps for The Early Childhood Education Report 2014
        • References
      • About the Authors
      • Questions & Answers
      • Results at a Glance
      • What Others are Saying
      • Presentations & Resources
        • Presentations
        • Videos
    • ECE Report 2011 (Early Years Study 3)
      • Introduction: Foundations are Stepping up for Children
        • 1. Getting crazy for the kids
        • 2. Changing the conversation
        • 3. The resources can be found
        • 4. Turning Science into Action
      • Introduction: Mothers and others needed for healthy human development
        • 1. Childhood makes us human
        • 2. Closing the gap between rich and poor
        • Introduction: References
      • Chapter 1: A Smart Start for School and Life
        • 1. Good education cares
        • 2. The child care dilemma
        • 3. The loop in the public debate
        • 4. Starting from education's base
        • 5. One-in-four start out disadvantaged
        • 6. Democracy in trouble
        • 7. Making a difference
        • 8. Paying for inaction
        • 9. Turning chaos into systems
        • 10. Changing populations
        • 11. Changing families
        • Chapter 1: Figures
        • Chapter 1: References
      • Chapter 2: Early Life and Learning, Behaviour and Health
        • 1. Genes and environments
        • 2. Building the brain's architecture
        • 3. Sensory Pathways
        • 4. The limbic system pathways
        • 5. Prefrontal cortex pathways
        • 6. Language pathways
        • 7. Learning, behaviour and health
        • 8. Early adversity and later life
        • 9. Consilience: A new framework of understanding
        • Chapter 2: Figures
        • Chapter 2: References
      • Chapter 3: Creating Spaces and Places for Young Children and Families
        • 1. Celebrating childhood
        • 2. What early childhood education offers children and families
        • 3. Components of quality early childhood education
        • 4. Educators matter
        • 5. Early childhood options for all
        • 6. Challenges to early childhood service integration
        • 7. Benefits of early childhood program integration
        • 8. New thinking for new challenges
        • 9. Influencing policy change
        • Chapter 3: Figures
        • Chapter 3: References
      • Chapter 4: Early Childhood Education as Economic Development
        • 1. Decades of research reveal benefits
        • 2. Canadian cost-benefit analyses
        • 3. Developing community capacity to support children
        • 4. Child care as regional economic development
        • 5. Preschool as economic stimulus
        • 6. Early childhood programming: A no cost solution
        • 7. Wisely investing in early childhood
        • Chapter 4: Figures
        • Chapter 4: References
      • Chapter 5: Public Policy Shapes Early Childhood Programs
        • 1. Federal involvement in ECE policy and programs
        • 2. Direct federal funding to ECE programs
        • 3.1 Policy developments: The provinces and territories - Governance
        • 3.2 Policy developments: The provinces and territories - Funding
        • 3.3 Policy developments: The Provinces and Territories - Access
        • 3.4 Policy developments: The Provinces and Territories - Learning Environments
        • 4. Curriculum
        • 5. Next Steps
        • Chapter 5: Figures
        • Chapter 5: References
      • Chapter 6: Where are we? How Far do we have to go?
        • 1. Improving outcomes for children
        • 2. Three make passing grade
        • Chapter 6: Figures
        • Chapter 6: References
        • Download the Study
      • ECE Report
        • Early Childhood Education Report 2011
        • Developing the Report
        • The influence of the OECD and other international measures
        • The ECDI categories
        • I. Benchmarks focused on governance for integrated early childhood education
        • II. Benchmarks focused on funding to promote quality, access and equity
        • III. Benchmarks focused on equitable access
        • IV. Benchmarks focusing on quality in the early learning environment
        • V. Benchmarks focused on accountability
        • Next Steps for the Early Childhood Education Report 2011
        • Download Report
    • All Studies
  • Workforce
  • Resources
    • Acknowledgements
    • Terms & Definitions
    • Charts and Graphs 2023
    • Questions & Answers
    • Videos
    • Media
    • About the Authors
  • Contact

2. Closing the gap between rich and poor

Yet humans have a distinct capability to innovate, create technologies and find solutions to complex problems. Our task today, indeed even our very survival as a species, is to close the gap between rich nations and poor and ensure that future generations have the capacity to create democratic, pluralistic and prosperous societies.

Science has gone a long way in explaining how experience-based brain development in the early years of life (conception to age 6) affects neurobiological pathways that influence the life’s course. Hrdy’s story makes it clear that equity in early human development requires others to support the mother and her children during early development.

Investing in expectant mothers and their young children is a powerful equalizer and a key tool for economic and social stability. States that invest in women as active members of the labour force show much better population performance in education, behaviour and health than countries that do not invest. The Scandinavian countries and Cuba invest in pregnant women and young children. They have put in place high-quality centre-based programs involving parents, that are accessible and affordable. For example, the high rate of adult literacy in Norway indicates the benefits of its widespread early childhood programming. By comparison, Canada, with its spotty family policies, has 3 million illiterate adults.

Brain plasticity allows us to consider later interventions to improve outcomes for children who have had a poor start. However, it is better for the child, and less costly for society, to provide a positive beginning, rather than having to resort to remedial action later on.

Findings from early intervention and population studies are compatible with what we know about developmental neurobiology and the importance of early experiences on reading and literacy later in life. Countries with developed preschool systems link their programs to education. Since early human development directly affects performance in the school system, this is a very sensible policy. Pregnancy and the first two to three years of life are critical periods in early human development. Parental leave policies that recognize the benefits of breastfeeding and parental attachment, and that allow new parents to ease back into the workplace, are also essential.

With socioeconomic changes, have modern societies lost the art of nurture to ensure equitable development for all young children? Our understanding of developmental neurobiology in the early years shows us how the development of the architecture and function of the brain in early life affects health, learning and behaviour until we die. Canada’s tomorrow depends on our ability to leverage what we know into policies and practices that support families and benefit children today. Now, as never before, the knowledge needs to be harnessed to serve not just every individual in our society, but every society around the globe.

Next: Introduction: References

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

    • Introduction: Foundations are Stepping up for Children
      • 1. Getting crazy for the kids
      • 2. Changing the conversation
      • 3. The resources can be found
      • 4. Turning Science into Action
    • Introduction: Mothers and others needed for healthy human development
      • 1. Childhood makes us human
      • 2. Closing the gap between rich and poor
      • Introduction: References
    • Chapter 1: A Smart Start for School and Life
      • 1. Good education cares
      • 2. The child care dilemma
      • 3. The loop in the public debate
      • 4. Starting from education's base
      • 5. One-in-four start out disadvantaged
      • 6. Democracy in trouble
      • 7. Making a difference
      • 8. Paying for inaction
      • 9. Turning chaos into systems
      • 10. Changing populations
      • 11. Changing families
      • Chapter 1: Figures
      • Chapter 1: References
    • Chapter 2: Early Life and Learning, Behaviour and Health
      • 1. Genes and environments
      • 2. Building the brain's architecture
      • 3. Sensory Pathways
      • 4. The limbic system pathways
      • 5. Prefrontal cortex pathways
      • 6. Language pathways
      • 7. Learning, behaviour and health
      • 8. Early adversity and later life
      • 9. Consilience: A new framework of understanding
      • Chapter 2: Figures
      • Chapter 2: References
    • Chapter 3: Creating Spaces and Places for Young Children and Families
      • 1. Celebrating childhood
      • 2. What early childhood education offers children and families
      • 3. Components of quality early childhood education
      • 4. Educators matter
      • 5. Early childhood options for all
      • 6. Challenges to early childhood service integration
      • 7. Benefits of early childhood program integration
      • 8. New thinking for new challenges
      • 9. Influencing policy change
      • Chapter 3: Figures
      • Chapter 3: References
    • Chapter 4: Early Childhood Education as Economic Development
      • 1. Decades of research reveal benefits
      • 2. Canadian cost-benefit analyses
      • 3. Developing community capacity to support children
      • 4. Child care as regional economic development
      • 5. Preschool as economic stimulus
      • 6. Early childhood programming: A no cost solution
      • 7. Wisely investing in early childhood
      • Chapter 4: Figures
      • Chapter 4: References
    • Chapter 5: Public Policy Shapes Early Childhood Programs
      • 1. Federal involvement in ECE policy and programs
      • 2. Direct federal funding to ECE programs
      • 3.1 Policy developments: The provinces and territories - Governance
      • 3.2 Policy developments: The provinces and territories - Funding
      • 3.3 Policy developments: The Provinces and Territories - Access
      • 3.4 Policy developments: The Provinces and Territories - Learning Environments
      • 4. Curriculum
      • 5. Next Steps
      • Chapter 5: Figures
      • Chapter 5: References
    • Chapter 6: Where are we? How Far do we have to go?
      • 1. Improving outcomes for children
      • 2. Three make passing grade
      • Chapter 6: Figures
      • Chapter 6: References
      • Download the Study
    • ECE Report
      • Early Childhood Education Report 2011
      • Developing the Report
      • The influence of the OECD and other international measures
      • The ECDI categories
      • I. Benchmarks focused on governance for integrated early childhood education
      • II. Benchmarks focused on funding to promote quality, access and equity
      • III. Benchmarks focused on equitable access
      • IV. Benchmarks focusing on quality in the early learning environment
      • V. Benchmarks focused on accountability
      • Next Steps for the Early Childhood Education Report 2011
      • Download Report

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