The Honourable Margaret McCain, in her introduction to the 2020 Early Years Study 4 Report, argues strongly that universal Early Childhood Education (ECE) is the smartest investment Canada can make in our future, pointing out that, over the last 20 years since the release of the first Early Years Study in 1999, Early Years Studies 1, 2, and 3 have influence far-reaching government action, including:

·       Enhanced parental leave, now up to 19 months

·       Full day kindergarten for 4 year olds in Ontario, the Nortwest Territories, and Nova Scotia

·       Full day kindergarten for 5 year olds in British Columbia, Newfoundland, Ontario and PEI

·       ECE through public education for 40% of 4 year olds

·       ECE public funding tripled across Canada

She notes: “Early childhood education (ECE) is play-based learning in a nurturing environment, guided by experienced educators. It has a profound impact during the preschool years when children are developing language, social, literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving skills as well as self-regulation and confidence. These crucial skills set them on a pathway for success that impacts their entire lives.”

The report makes strong economic arguments, stating that while the figures are big, so are the payoffs, and the increased opportunities for women to join the workforce and the taxation returns from increased employment would offset the initial outlay. Currently, Canada ranks just 33rd out of 35 OECD countries where ECE enrolment for children 5 and younger averages 70% (Canada’s enrolment rate is 54%). For Canada to reach the OECD enrolment average of 70%, Canada would need to invest an additional $8 billion per year, but the estimates show that every $1 invested would create $6 in economic benefits.

Early childhood education benefits children, families, and society. This additional investment in ECE would:

·       Improve educational outcomes such as higher graduation rates and less need for special education

·       Prepare children for the 21st century workplace by promoting language and thinking skills, as well as physical, social, and emotional well-being

·       Stimulate the economy and address workforce shortages

·       Reduce gender and income inequality for women

·       Increase social equity for marginalized children

·       Boost maternal labour force participation 

·       Promote diversity

The tax revenue from more parents working would not only help fund the additional costs but would also raise many families out of poverty reducing health and other social costs. 

The call to action declares:

Early childhood education creates a Double Dividend that simultaneously supports children’s learning and well-being while also enabling parents to participate in the workforce.

Children who participate in high quality ECE are more successful in school then go on to make their own economic and social contributions. Early Years Study 4 calls on governments to offer quality early childhood education to preschool-aged children across the country.

The return on this investment not only outweighs the cost, it is crucial to the future of Canadian society.

The report’s six chapters include:

·       Age 2 to 5 is a unique time for learning: How the preschool brain builds on the foundation for lifelong learning

·       Play with a purpose: Early Childhood Education is play

·       A step up for all: ECE helps children, families and communities thrive

·       ECE and public policy: Families benefit from policy initiatives

·       Rethinking Early Childhood Education: Good education cares and good care educates

·       The next step: Canada can do better

The report concludes with an article by Dr. V. Angela James on “Becoming a Capable Child”. Writing as a Metis educator and researcher, Dr. James’ draws from a bicultural perspective to look at the crossovers between Western approaches and Indigenous approaches, showing ways in which the two approaches can be balanced to “create the conditions that help shape the development of Indigenous children who benefit from culturally sensitive early learning centre” and assist them to grow and develop as a “capable person”, one who has integrity in relationships that honour the self, others, the land and the spiritual world.”

The video launch and the full study can be found at https://earlyyearsstudy.ca/