Quebec’s ELCC
Quebec exceptionalism
Quebec has been building its own publicly funded early learning and child care (ELCC) system since the late 1990s, even before the current asymmetrical ELCC policy arrangements were established with the Government of Canada. Quebec child care is now supported in part by federal funds under Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) but is not subject to federal conditions.
Maximum parent fees and operational funding
Quebec began setting parent fees of $5 a day for all 0 – 12 year olds and operationally funding child care centres in 1997, favouring non-profit child care centres (called centres de la petite enfance, or CPEs). This policy shift fundamentally changed Quebec ELCC, as child care became more affordable and publicly funded.
Policy makes a difference
Since that time, there have been many policy, funding, and political changes, with Quebec serving both as a model and an opportunity for policy learning for the rest of Canada. As Quebec policy shifted to facilitate the growth of for-profit centres, issues of poorer for-profit quality have become a concern.
resources
Reforming Québec’s early childhood care and education: The first five years
Childcare Resource and Research Unit, book, Apr 2002. Canada
Quebec’s childcare program at 20: How it has done, and what the rest of Canada can learn
Inroads: Canadian Journal of Opinion, journal article, Nov 2017. Canada
Les services de garde subventionnés: l’exception du Québec dans le contexte fédéral
Institute for Research on Public Policy, report, Apr 2002. Canada
How does Quebec’s universal daycare work, and what can the national $10 a day programs learn from it?
Globe and Mail, news article, Apr 2022. Canada
What is the Quebec model of early learning and child care?
Policy Options, news article, Feb 2021. Canada
Accessibilité et qualité des services de garde éducatifs à l’enfant du Québec: point de vue d’un chercheur Ontarien
Childcarepolicy.net, presentation, Sep 2022. Canada
New support for the economic benefits of universal child care
Childcarepolicy.net, blog, May 2024. Quebec