Foundations Week 1 Notes – ECE Context (Canada & Ontario)

Early Childhood Education – Defined

• ECE refers to programs for young children based on an explicit curriculum delivered by qualified staff to support children’s development and learning.

• Framework source: Early Years Study 3 (2011) McCain, Mustard and McCuaig.

ECE Program Goals

• Designed specifically for young children and their families.

• Provide an intentional educational program for young children.

• Care and educate young children while supporting parenting, families, and communities.

Types of Programs

• Child care centres

• Nursery schools and preschools

• Early Childhood Intervention (ECI)

• Kindergarten and prekindergarten

• Family literacy programs

• Aboriginal Head Start

• Integrated child and family centres

The Canadian ECE Context (2024)

• CWELCC: Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care initiative — Canada’s first sustained federal/provincial/territorial/Indigenous plan for universal provision.

• Status: Three years into transformation; progress made but more work required to build a publicly funded system.

• Legislation: Bill C-35, An Act Respecting Early Learning and Child Care, received royal assent on $2024-03-19$.

• Principles (ELCC transformed system): affordability, accessibility, quality, and inclusivity.

Terminology and Language

• Favor terminology that reflects development and learning contexts:

  • Child care or early learning environment vs. daycare

  • Early childhood educator vs. caregiver/worker/teacher

  • Family vs. parent

• Regulation in Ontario: Regulated (Licensed) Child Care; governed by the Ministry of Education under the CCEYA.

• Not-for-Profit vs For-Profit:

  • Not-for-Profit: incorporated as non-profit, governed by a board of directors

  • For-Profit: owned by an individual or corporation, aims to earn a profit

Regulated Child Care in Ontario

• Regulated and licensed by the Ministry of Education.

• Must meet government standards and regulations set out in the Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA).

• Notable framework: licensing, safety, staffing, and program guidelines.

CCEYA – Group Care (Key Concepts)

• Age groupings are defined for group care and influence maximum group sizes and staff ratios.

• Age groups include:

  • Infants: $0-18 ext{ months}$

  • Toddlers: $18-30 ext{ months}$

  • Preschoolers: $30 ext{ months} - 6 ext{ years}$

  • Kindergarten: $44-68 ext{ months}$

  • School-age: $68 ext{ months} - 13 ext{ years}$

• Each group has limits on the maximum number of children and the staff-to-child ratio (defined by CCEYA).

• Note: Specific numbers are defined in the CCEYA table and may vary by jurisdiction and program type.

Types of Care: Full Day Kindergarten (FDK)

• Kindergarten programs are located in schools and operated by school boards (Full Day Early Learning Programs).

• Extended to before- and after-school care in schools and childcare centres.

• Examples: Toronto District School Board (TDSB), Toronto Catholic District School Board (CDSB).

Types of Care: School Age Programs

• School Age programs operate in schools and childcare centres.

• Extend care and programming before/after school, lunchtime, PD/PA days, March break, and summer programs.

• Examples: PLASP, YMCA.

Indigenous Early Childhood Programs

• Increased emphasis on programs that promote First Nations, Métis, and Inuit cultures and values.

• Indigenous childcare and Head Start programs offer culturally relevant early learning for Indigenous children.

• Barriers persist due to multiple jurisdictions; access and utilization vary by region.

• Ongoing questions: Are programs designed and delivered by Indigenous communities to meet local needs? How are communities and families engaged in shaping services?

Home Childcare

• Home childcare refers to a small group of children cared for in a private residence.

• Can be licensed or unlicensed; both types follow rules outlined in the CCEYA.

• Some home-based providers are supervised by agencies (e.g., Family Day) that oversee programs.