REPORT SUMMARY
QUALITY CARE AND YOUNG FIRST NATIONS CHILDREN: Summary of findings from the quality ELCC programming study Introduction In 2022, the National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health (NCCIH) initiated the Quality ELCC programming for First Nations children on reserve study to explore and accentuate the qualities that First Nations people value and believe are important for their children in early learning and child care (ELCC) settings on reserve. The research was one of three interrelated qualitative studies that, together, formed part of a larger project partnership focused on informing and strengthening programs and policies designed to serve families with young children (birth to six years) in First Nations communities. This report summary provides a broad overview of the main findings from the Quality ELCC programming study. Based on the stories and perspectives shared by policy makers,
© Lesli Fenner, 2025
program administrators, early childhood educators, and parents and grandparents with first-hand knowledge, experience, and insight related to ELCC programming in First Nations communities, the reported findings offer a general description of important factors that contribute to the optimal learning, development, and care of First Nations children in early childhood program settings on reserve. More detailed results
from this study can be found in Sections 3 (Qualitative interviews and group discussions subsection) and 4 (Quality ELCC programming for First Nations Children on reserve subsection) of the larger project report, Quality care and young First Nations children: An exploration of optimal learning and development in early childhood settings on reserve, which may be accessed through the QR code provided at the end of this resource.