The learning that occurs between the ages of 0-6 is crucial to the present and future well-being of a child. Failure to provide loving, positive, social and stimulating conditions for a child’s development during these early years can cause physical and cognitive disadvantages in brain development.

Research suggests that for every $1 invested in Early Childhood Education programs, our communities gain a $16 return on investment through significant reductions in crime rates and health and other social program costs.* Children in ECE programs typically grow up to enjoy higher levels of health, educational attainment and employment income.

Early Childhood Education can take many forms but most commonly involves play activities designed to encourage a child’s social, physical, intellectual, creative and emotional development. Parents and other caregivers play an integral role in ECE.

Newcomer families may experience a number of barriers to providing ECE to their children - English language difficulties; cultural differences in family structure and roles; as well as the added stresses of settling and adapting to a new country, can all prove challenging. ECE programs need to take these very specific issues into account when designing supports and activities for newcomer children and their families.

* Source: High/Scope Perry Preschool Study, November 2004