Early Childhood Development

Investing in early childhood development

Early years is a crucial period of human growth. Yet, in BC, young children’s vulnerability rates have risen. Families in need of quality child care face a crisis of affordability and access. Wait times for support for children with special needs are unacceptable. Family support programming is fragile and underfunded. And, young Indigenous children continue to be over-represented in all high-risk categories due to poverty, policy neglect and the continued legacy of colonization.

The research and support for policy change and greater public investments in early childhood has grown. But, no clear progress has been achieved. Senior levels of government have chosen not to invest or make necessary public policy changes. Without supportive policy and services, young families will continue to be stressed by the demands of caring.

We believe that all young children and their families should be able to access the early childhood development (ECD) supports and services that they need.

Read First Call’s ECD reports

First Call’s ECD call to action

• Advances children’s rights
• Emphasizes the primary role of families
• Supports communities
• Affirms society’s collective responsibility
• Highlights the importance of culturally safe, respectful and relevant services and supports
• Recognizes our unique relationship with, and responsibilities to, Aboriginal peoples
• Prioritizes the supports and services that are unique to the early years
• Calls on governments to build from existing services
• Affirms that we can afford to make substantial and meaningful public investments

We envision a province in which the rights and well-being of all BC’s young children are valued and respected in thriving families, nurturing communities and by well-resourced and comprehensive public policy.

Make BC’s Young Children and Families a Priority: A Call to Action