Decade of Dedication: Quebec Celebrates 10 Years of Prioritizing Early Childhood

Laval, QC – As Quebec prepares to celebrate its 10th annual Early Childhood Week, marked by a flag-raising ceremony in Laval on November 17, 2025, the province reflects on a decade of concerted efforts to prioritize the well-being and development of its youngest citizens. This milestone event, spearheaded by the Collectif petite enfance and Espace MUNI, highlights a burgeoning landscape where innovation in social policy meets real-world impact, shaping communities and daily life for thousands of families across the province.

The ceremony, kicking off at 10:00 AM at the Simonne-Monet-Chartrand community centre, will bring together key figures, including a Laval city council member, MNA Marilyne Picard, Brossard Mayor and Espace MUNI President Doreen Assaad, and Collectif petite enfance Director Elise Bonneville, alongside approximately 20 children from Laval. It serves as a powerful symbol of the sustained commitment to early childhood development in Quebec.

A Province-Wide Commitment

The press release indicates that over 410 Quebec municipalities are participating in this year's Early Childhood Week, showcasing a broad, grassroots dedication to the cause. While the "Municipalité amie des enfants" (MAE) program, managed by Espace MUNI, currently recognizes around 90 municipalities and Regional County Municipalities (RCMs) for their formal commitment to children's rights, the larger participation number for Early Childhood Week suggests a wider engagement of local governments in activities and initiatives supporting young children, even if not formally accredited.

Espace MUNI, the Quebec arm of UNICEF's Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI), has been instrumental since 2009 in encouraging municipalities to integrate children's rights into their policies and services. Becoming an MAE involves a rigorous process, requiring municipalities to demonstrate existing orientations towards children and families in their strategic documents and to commit to implementing child-focused initiatives for a three-year period. This program aims to create inclusive and sustainable living environments where children’s voices and needs are considered in decision-making.

Collectif petite enfance: A Unified Voice for Early Childhood

The Collectif petite enfance acts as a vital “porte-voix” (spokesperson) for young children in Quebec, uniting various partners to ensure optimal conditions for children’s development, well-being, and future from pregnancy to age five. Their “Grande semaine des tout-petits” (Great Week for Young Children) is a flagship initiative, now celebrating its tenth edition, designed to foster dialogue and highlight regional and local efforts in early childhood development.

The Collectif’s advocacy extends beyond simply increasing childcare spots; they actively work to ensure intersectoral collaboration and to break down silos to reach all families, particularly those in vulnerable situations. They also scrutinize political commitments to early childhood during election campaigns through tools like their “Boussole des priorités des tout-petits” (Compass of Young Children’s Priorities), demonstrating a continuous effort to influence policy and prioritize children’s rights.

The Evolving Landscape of Quebec’s Early Childhood Care

A decade of advocacy brings both achievements and ongoing challenges into focus. Quebec’s early childhood care system, while often lauded, continues to grapple with significant issues, particularly concerning availability, affordability, and quality.

Availability: Despite government efforts, such as the “Grand chantier pour les familles” (Major Project for Families) launched with a $5.9 billion investment to create 37,000 new childcare spots, a persistent shortage remains. As of May 31, 2025, over 30,000 children were still on waiting lists for a spot in a recognized educational childcare service. Reports from May 2025 indicate that many newly created spots are unavailable due to a critical lack of qualified staff. "The creation of spaces is meaningless if we don't have skilled educators to fill them," notes one early childhood advocate, speaking anonymously. This staffing shortage has led to a net loss of childcare facilities and spots in recent years, impacting parental careers and causing significant distress for families.

Affordability: Quebec’s subsidized childcare system aims for accessibility, with a daily reduced contribution set at $9.35 for 2025. For non-subsidized options, which typically range from $45 to $65 per day, provincial and federal tax credits can significantly reduce the net cost, often making it comparable to subsidized rates for many families. However, navigating the system and understanding eligibility requirements can still be a barrier for some families.

Quality: Ensuring consistent quality across all childcare settings remains a key concern. A May 2024 report by the Auditor General of Quebec highlighted a “degradation” in the quality of educational childcare services and insufficient follow-up from the Ministry of Families. Disturbingly, between 2019 and 2022, nearly 30% of educational childcare facilities failed their quality evaluations, with this figure rising to almost 60% for some subsidized and non-subsidized daycares in 2022-2023. This is further exacerbated by the growing shortage of qualified early childhood educators, impacting the crucial adult-to-child ratios and overall educational environment. “We’re seeing burnout rates among educators that are incredibly worrying,” explains one daycare director. “The demands of the job, combined with low wages and limited support, are driving people away.”

Despite these challenges, high-quality educational childcare, particularly in Centres de la petite enfance (CPEs), is recognized for its positive impact on children’s cognitive, motor, language, and socio-affective development, especially for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Beyond Spaces: A Holistic Approach to Early Childhood

Experts emphasize that simply increasing the number of childcare spaces isn't enough. A truly effective early childhood system requires a holistic approach that addresses all aspects of a child’s development, from health and nutrition to social-emotional learning. “We need to move beyond seeing childcare as just a service for working parents,” says one policy analyst. “It’s an investment in the future of our society.”

Several factors contribute to this need for a broader perspective. Access to early intervention services for children with developmental delays, affordable and nutritious meals, and support for parents navigating the challenges of early childhood are all crucial components of a thriving system. Furthermore, initiatives that promote play-based learning and foster strong relationships between children and educators are essential for creating a positive and enriching early childhood experience.

Looking Ahead: The Next Decade of Innovation

The 10th Early Childhood Week provides a crucial platform to address these complexities. While the Collectif petite enfance and Espace MUNI continue their advocacy, the broader discussion will likely encompass the need for sustainable solutions to the staffing crisis, robust quality assurance mechanisms, and policies that genuinely reflect a holistic approach to early childhood development, moving “beyond childcare” to encompass health, nutrition, education, and social-emotional learning. The ongoing dialogue, as exemplified by events planned for November 18 and 19, 2025, will undoubtedly shape the priorities and strategies for the next decade of early childhood initiatives in Quebec.

Ultimately, the goal is to create a system that not only provides accessible and affordable childcare but also fosters the healthy development of all Quebec children, ensuring they have the foundation they need to thrive in the years to come.