“Early Learning and Child Care” are programs and services that provide care and education for children outside the home and offered by people other than the children’s parents or guardians before they enter grade one.
High-quality early learning and child care benefits you and your child(ren), supporting them to:
- Learn and grow through play,
- Build strong relationships, and
- Feel safe, supported, and included, regardless of background or ability.
High-quality programs also create spaces where children, families, and educators all feel valued, respected, and supported. They are grounded in evidence-informed practices that nurture every dimension of a child’s development and support the well-being of families and communities.
The Council of Early Learning and Care has developed a guide for parents and a quick, one sheet to help you to assess your options.
For more background on why quality child care is important, you can visit the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Alberta.