This document discusses the need for universal access to quality child care in Canada. It notes that while rights, research and lived experience support this, there are still objections around costs, parental care, and other public services. The document shows that Canada invests much less than comparable countries in early childhood education and care as a percentage of GDP. It proposes a "public investment plan" with proven benefits, demonstrated demand, and achievable outcomes and costs to establish a high quality, universal child care system through phased priorities and timelines. The document concludes that raising public awareness and empowering communities can help hold governments accountable to implement such a system.

1. Beyond the ‘Buts’:Implementing Rights in Early Childhood in Canada Dignity for All Policy SummitOttawa, Ontario March 4, 2011 Lynell Anderson, CGA Senior Researcher, UBC Human Early Learning Partnership Child Care Advocate

2. Rights, Research and Lived Reality affirm need forUniversal Access to Quality Child CareBut, what about …? Parental care (Moms)? Other public services under stress? The cost? The private sector?

5. Public Systems: Praised and Pressured Quality Quality Universal System Public $ (e.g. Taxes) $ Private $ (e.g. Fees, Fundraising) Universality access Source: Lynell Anderson, B.Comm., CGA and YWCA Canada

6. ECEC in Canada TodayQuality & Access Gaps  Performance Indicators Quality Qualitygap Expansion gap Public $ Affordability gap ($) Private $(Parent fees) Affordable Parent Fees 20% 100% of children Universality (access) Source: Lynell Anderson, B.Comm., CGA and YWCA Canada

9. Insufficient quality

10. High cost

11. Inadequate InclusionUnited Kingdom United States Netherlands Germany Italy Australia OECDavg.0.7% UNICEF & EUbenchmark1.0% 0.25% Canada Canada BC 0.22% 0.28% 0% 0.5% 1.0% 1.5% 2.0% % of GDP Source: Adapted from Starting Strong ll: Early Childhood Education and Care, September 2006, p.11

12. Support for Families with Young Children: Canada Ranks Poorly Countries ranking higher than Canada on all 3 scales Source: World Economic Forum and UNICEF

13. Growing Awareness of Social & Economic Benefits Health Children Education Families Criminal Justice Business Early Intervention Economic Growth & Development Social Development Municipal Services Neighbourhoods & Communities Child Welfare

14. ‘Public Investment Plan’ elements in place for ECEC Proven product – onlyif quality Demonstrated demand– onlyif affordable Real returns– for children, families, economy, society Containable costs?- establish staff compensation, fee & access targets, yet … quantifiable time periods, stable birth rate, low technology, choice of family support programs available. Outcomes (quality, universality) achievable

15. ECEC System Implementation: Establish Priorities, Timelines & Targets Quality ($) Quality Universal System Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Qualitygap Expansion gap Public $ Affordability gap Private $(Parent fees) Affordable Parent Fees 20% 100% of children Universality (access) Source: Lynell Anderson, B.Comm., CGA and YWCA Canada

17. Empower