All

in
for

all
kids

Because all children should have the same opportunity to fully develop, it’s up to everyone in Québec to do something about it.

How you can help

Because all children should have the same opportunity to fully develop, it’s up to everyone in Québec to do something about it.

How you can help

The cause

All children should have equal opportunities to develop fully. All In For All Kids is committed to making early childhood a priority in Quebec so that all children can reach their full potential.

It’s your turn!

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Let’s give all children the chance to reach their full potential

Although parents have a critical role to play, they’re not the only ones who can affect their child’s development. For example, as a society, we can offer quality childcare services and safe, stimulating public spaces where children can socialize.

Studies have shown that the most vulnerable children respond best to these types of prevention measures.

Let’s take action early for a better future

Taking action early is important because early childhood experiences contribute to healthy brain development and learning a wide range of skills. In addition, good health in early childhood allows children to thrive and become healthy adults.

Taking action early therefore means giving children the best development conditions right from pregnancy to avoid problems later in life. It also means giving all children an equal chance to fulfill their potential and become accomplished citizens.

Which kids are considered vulnerable?

Children are considered vulnerable in an area of development if they are among the 10 percent of Quebec children with the lowest scores in that area, according to their kindergarten teacher’s assessment. The 2017 Quebec Survey of Child Development in Kindergarten (QSCDK) revealed that more than one in four children (27.7 percent) were vulnerable in kindergarten in at least one of five areas of development.

About 24,000 kids have trouble keeping up in kindergarten.

For example, they may have one or more of the following difficulties:

Trouble following instructions and classroom routines
Little interest in reading
Difficulty holding a pencil or handling objects
Trouble clearly communicating their needs
Trouble playing with other children

Children who have one or more of these difficulties may find starting school harder.

Impacts

Investing in early childhood: A plan for Quebec

Because the children of today are the grown-ups of tomorrow, it’s important to offer them the best possible start in life and an equal chance to reach their full potential. Making early childhood a priority means investing in a more educated and prosperous society.

Around the world, societies that invest in early childhood and family have the best health status and the lowest levels of health inequality.

$1 = $6

One extra dollar invested in early childhood education can result in $6 in economic benefits.

Source

$600 million

This is the annual amount spent in the community by the childcare network for the purchase of goods and services.

Source

$4,000

Investing in early childhood reduces the risk that children will need specialized services. That’s equivalent to a savings of $4,000 per child before the age of 12.

Source

Solutions

Quality, accessible educational childcare services

Improving the quality and accessibility of educational childcare provides all young children with more opportunities to be stimulated and develop to their full potential. It also reduces inequalities, as educational services have a greater impact in disadvantaged areas.

An opportunity to help young children reach their full potential.

Municipalities are taking action for children’s well-being

Safe public places to learn and have fun

Providing accessible and safe municipal infrastructure and services provides all children with the opportunity to be active and explore their environment, no matter where they live in Quebec. Living in a safe neighbourhood with a strong sense of community may be beneficial for the development and well-being of young children.

Tailored health care that is accessible to everyone

Facilitating access to health care and social services for families makes it possible to identify young children with special needs and provide them with the services that will allow them to start their life journey on equal footing with other children.

Focusing on prevention at a crucial time

Helping families get the best possible start

Support from pregnancy onwards for a better start for all babies

Providing support to families during pregnancy ensures that all babies are born in the best possible conditions and get off to a good start.

Collective measures to facilitate a work-family balance

Work-family balance measures allow children to spend more time with their parents, regardless of their jobs, while also reducing the effects of stress on families. Such measures are necessary to support parents in their role and foster the well-being of both parents and children.

Helping parents become more present for their children

Living conditions that can change things for the better

Affordable and adequate housing where children can grow up safely

Implementing measures for accessible housing provides children with the opportunity to grow up in a healthy environment, regardless of their parents’ income. This is particularly important because housing conditions can influence early childhood development.

write to your elected officials

With just a few clicks of your mouse, write to your elected officials to get things moving

Do you care about young children's well-being and want to take action on their behalf? With just a few clicks of your mouse, you can send a letter to your provincial MNA or elected municipal official to let them know that together, we should be doing more for children.

This simple gesture will help pave the way for better living environments and conditions for young children and their families!

Learn more

What are the benefits to society?

What environments are they growing up in?

How are young children doing?

About us

The All in for all kids initiative unites committed partners who are inspired by a common goal:

to make early childhood a priority for Quebec society.

Let's keep talking

Quality daycares have a positive effect on children’s development, as they offer an additional source of stimuli outside the home. Getting children moving, stimulating their language skills, developing their self-confidence, and making it possible to spot learning difficulties early on are just some of the benefits of quality educational daycares.

Unfortunately, surveys conducted in Quebec since the early 2000s have shown that there are quality issues in all types of educational childcare services in Quebec.

Improve training and working conditions for educators
Make group sizes smaller
Implement means of communication that are tailored to parents

As part of a pilot project, early childcare centre (CPE) managers in the Eastern Townships received training on the concept of quality service. The CPEs’ educational environment was observed before and after three personalized training sessions, which were developed according to the needs that were identified during the initial observation. An evaluation of the pilot project showed that personalized training based on evidence and best practices positively influenced the quality of the participating CPEs. These effects were still apparent one year later.

The program was subsequently offered as a continuous training course by the CPE associations in three areas: the Eastern Townships, the Quebec City and Chaudière-Appalaches regions, and the Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Nord-du-Québec regions. However, the organizations discontinued the program in 2014 due to a lack of funding.

Source:

Avez-vous pensé à vos plus petits citoyens? (French only)

The variety and quality of a child’s environment and the services offered close to where families live have an impact on a child’s early years. Over the long term, these factors can affect a child’s ability to learn and do well in school.

According to parents' responses in one Quebec survey,* 9.2 percent of kindergarten children do not live in a neighbourhood where there are parks, playgrounds, and safe places to play. In addition, in 2012–2015, one-third of children aged 3 to 5 years did not meet Canadian physical activity guidelines.

Safe and accessible public spaces where all children can play, reading workshops and other quality educational activities, healthy and nutritious food that’s easy to find in public spaces—all these things contribute to young children’s development. Municipalities throughout Quebec can improve the quality of life of families in tangible ways and, at the same time, help young children develop their full potential.

A number of municipalities that make children a priority have obtained the Municipalité amie des enfants certification (French only). In fact, 80 percent of families live in a municipality with a family policy.

A wide array of activities for young children introduced by the recreation department in Saint-Amable have become important annual events. They include a reading club for children aged 3 to 12, pyjama story time at the library and in parks, and an event where children get to meet local elected officials.
As part of the IMParc program in Trois-Rivières, a dozen information officers visit city parks and schoolyards throughout the summer to inform and educate residents about respect for others, the environment, and municipal by-laws. This kind of initiative helps create a safe and pleasant living environment for children.
To encourage young children and their families to spend time outside and play safely in residential streets, the city of Belœil installed special traffic signs and implemented a new driving code.
In Montreal North, a social housing project transformed parking spots into vegetable gardens and started a seasonal public market for the community.

Source:

*2017 Québec Survey on the Preschool Path of Kindergarten Students (QSPPKS)

Young children sometimes experience health problems that affect their development and day-to-day lives. It is therefore essential to identify children with special needs to provide them with the care and support they need to thrive.

Unfortunately, in Quebec, many families still don’t have access to the health care services they need. Certain barriers can prevent these children from receiving care at the right time. For example, many have to wait to receive the services they need because they are placed on a waiting list. Others cannot get to the necessary care because it is not available near their home.

The amount of time parents have to wait before their child can receive care can be detrimental to their child’s health and quality of life. Affected children may also experience discrimination and exclusion.

However, there are ways to facilitate access to health care and services for these children.

The Groupe de travail montérégien en orthophonie et développement du langage brings together professionals from different sectors to support language and communication development in young children. This community initiative facilitates access to specialized services and creates an effective front line, as children with difficulties are quickly directed to the appropriate resource.
Further north, in Val-d’Or, the Minowé Clinic facilitates Indigenous people’s access to culturally relevant and safe services, focusing on pregnant women, children, and families.
Since November2013, the Programme québécois de dépistage de la surdité chez les nouveau-nés has been used to identify hearing problems in newborns. Families with deaf or hearing-impaired infants can be referred to a rehabilitation centre for speech and language development support.

Source:

Pregnancy, childbirth, and the first moments with baby are crucial stages in a child’s health and development. For example, what happens during pregnancy can affect the baby’s health. Studies have shown that women from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to give birth prematurely or give birth to a baby of low weight.

Improving birth conditions is therefore an excellent way to make sure little ones get off to a great start. Measures to improve the living conditions of pregnant women and provide them with support can have a positive impact on their babies’ health.

The percentage of parents who don’t participate in prenatal meetings is even higher in disadvantaged communities. This is unfortunate because prenatal classes help prepare for parenthood and encourage moms-to-be to adopt a healthy lifestyle. The classes alone can’t guarantee a healthy baby, but they can influence some of the health factors that future parents can act on.

There are already many programs in Quebec to help parents make a positive difference in the health of their unborn baby.

The Integrated Perinatal and Early Childhood Services program offers future parents and young families support during pregnancy and from the time their baby is born until the start of school. The program, developed by Quebec’s Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, brings together health professionals and community stakeholders.
By offering preparation and support services to pregnant women from disadvantaged backgrounds, La Maison Bleue helps reduce social inequality and fosters child development, from conception to age five.
The CIUSSS du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean persuaded nearly 90public stores and organizations in the region to join La Route du lait, an initiative that aims to give mothers comfortable and welcoming spaces for breastfeeding. Projects like these help support and destigmatize breastfeeding in public.
Les Relevailles de Montréal offers services to parents in the perinatal period. This organization focuses on needs that are different from those addressed by the health care network. It connects families and gives themthe opportunity to support each other.

Source:

During early childhood, parents play a vital role in supporting and helping their children in their socio-emotional development by, for example, doing activities with them. However, a high level of work-family conflict can reduce parents’ availability, thereby reducing the likelihood they’ll do activities with their children, such as playing games, reading together, or going to the park.

According to a survey conducted in Quebec in 2017,* about one in four parents of kindergarten children (26 percent) had difficulty finding time to play with their children during the previous year.

In Quebec, balancing work with family life is a huge source of stress for most parents. Their work responsibilities can sometimes conflict with their role as parents, creating tension. According to a Léger survey, 59 percent of parents with young children stated that society is not accommodating when it comes to balancing family and work.

However, many workplaces have made efforts to improve the day-to-day lives of Quebec families.

Absolunet is one of the rare companies to have received the Bureau de normalisation du Québec’s Work-Family Balance certification for the variety of measures they offer, such as flexible schedules and the option of a shorter work week.
Desjardins offers its employees flexible schedules, telecommuting, powerful technological tools, company-wide videoconferencing, plus a shuttle between Montreal and Lévis.
The law firm Delegatus provides its employees with flexible working conditions. For instance, medical consultations via videoconferencing are available to all employees and their family members.
A Soprema production plant in Drummondville introduced several work-family balance measures, including flexible work hours, banked overtime, and work-from-home options. These made it easier for employees to fulfill both their professional and parental responsibilities.
In the town of Saint-Pamphile in Chaudière-Appalaches, various stakeholders in the private and public sectors came together to open an evening and overnight childcare centre. This initiative aimed to help forestry workers in the region who work atypical hours.

Source:

*2017 Québec Survey on the Preschool Path of Kindergarten Students (QSPPKS)

Because today’s children are tomorrow’s adults, they deserve to have a special place in society. We must work together to ensure the best possible conditions for all children so that they can thrive and flourish.

By making a difference early in their lives, we can help them reach their full potential. And by giving all children the same chance, we can create a more united, well-rounded, educated, and prosperous society.

Partners of All in for all kids:

Association de l'éducation préscolaire du Québec

aepq.ca

The Association de l'éducation préscolaire du Québec brings together close to 1,000engaged members who are interested in preschool education and childhood development between the ages of four and six (e.g., teachers, educators, students, managers, educational advisors, parents, researchers, professors).

Association des bibliothèques publiques du Québec

abpq.ca

The Association des bibliothèques publiques du Québec provides leadership to ensure the development, strategic positioning, and influence of Quebec’s public libraries.

Association des haltes-garderies communautaires du Québec

ahgcq.org

The AHGCQ is dedicated to defending the interests of community stop-over centres and the parents who use them. The association promotes the quality of these services while striving to make them more accessible to Quebec society.

Association québécoise des centres de la petite enfance

aqcpe.com

The AQCPE is a network of social economy enterprises, representing the interests of a majority of the early childhood centres (centres de la petite enfance) and home childcare coordinating offices, everywhere in Quebec. Its mission is to provide national leadership on all the issues related to the early childhood education and care.

Avenir d’enfants

avenirdenfants.org

By supporting mobilization initiatives in communities, Avenir d’enfants works towards young children’s overall development and helps ensure that every child has an equal chance of getting a good start in life.

Carrefour action municipale et famille

carrefourmunicipal.qc.ca

The Carrefour offers strategic support services to municipalities in collaboration with associations, organizations, and community partners in order to develop communities that foster family wellness, work-life balance, thriving and successful youth, and active aging.

First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission

cssspnql.com/en

The First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission’s mission is to accompany Quebec First Nations in achieving their health, wellness, culture and self-determination goals.

Conseil québécois des services éducatifs à la petite enfance

cqsepe.ca

The CQSEPE represents the collective interests of its members (CPEs and coordinating offices for home childcare), supporting and promoting the continuous improvement of educational services.

Fédération des commissions scolaires du Québec

fcsq.qc.ca

The Fédération des commissions scolaires du Québec represents most of Quebec’s French-language school boards, as well as the Littoral school board. These school boards foster the academic success of over a million students by providing educational services at the preschool, elementary, and secondary levels, as well as professional training and adult education.

Fédération québécoise des organismes communautaires Famille

fqocf.org

Established in 1961, the Fédération québécoise des organismes communautaires Famille strives to unite and support community organizations that work with families while helping to ensure the vital place of the family in Quebec society.

Fondation Lucie et André Chagnon

fondationchagnon.org

The mission of the Lucie and André Chagnon Foundation is to prevent poverty by contributing to the educational success of young Quebecers, from conception to age 17, by helping them develop their full potential.

Fondation Olo

fondationolo.ca/en

The Fondation Olo’s mission is to give families an equal chance of bringing a healthy baby into the world and of introducing them to healthy eating habits early on. Its services are available for the first 1,000days of a child’s life, a crucial period in their development. Since1991, the Fondation has helped ensure a healthy start for more than 250,000babies in Quebec.

Naître et grandir

naitreetgrandir.com

A reliable, scientifically accurate source of information, Naître et grandir has taken on the mission of providing parents with day-to-day support in raising their children, from conception up until age 8.

Early Childhood Observatory

tout-petits.org/en

The Early Childhood Observatory, a project of the Lucie and André Chagnon Foundation, compiles the most rigorous data on 0-5 year-olds which it then disseminates to initiate dialogue, in the hope of encouraging more informed social choices in the area of early childhood.

Ordre des optométristes du Québec

ooq.org

The Ordre des optométristes du Québec’s principal aim is to protect the public byensuring that the laws and regulations governing the practice of optometry in Quebec are observed by optometrists and all other professionals concerned.

Regroupement pour la valorisation de la paternité

rvpaternite.org

The Regroupement pour la Valorisation de la Paternité comprises nearly 250organizations and individuals across Quebec’s 17regions. With a view to parental equality, its mission is to recognize the role of fathers and to highlight their contribution to children’s development and well-being within families and society.

Community Health and Social Services Network

chssn.org

The purpose of the Community Health and Social Services Network (CHSSN) is to create a network of community resources, associations, public institutions and other organizations dedicated to the development through partnerships of health and social services for English-speaking communities across Quebec.

Réseau des Centres de ressources périnatales du Québec

reseaudescrp.org

The Network unites, mobilizes, supports, and promotes the social value of CRPs (perinatal resource centres). It also strengthens and promotes CRP development across Quebec.

Réseau pour un Québec Famille

quebecfamille.org

The mission of Réseau pour un Québec Famille is to promote and support families and highlight their importance to society.

Réseau québécois pour la réussite éducative

reussiteeducative.quebec/en

The Réseau québécois pour la réussite éducative mobilizes regional stakeholders and develops local partnerships to foster conditions for academic success. The network facilitates concerted, collective efforts across Quebec to boost student retention among its youth.

Regional forums on early childhood

The Network of Regional Forums on Early Childhood brings together various regional forums from across Québec. These multisectorial forums mobilize regional partners on early childhood who are dedicated to working for the development of young children.

The cause

It’s your turn!

Let’s give all children the chance to reach their full potential

Let’s take action early for a better future

Which kids are considered vulnerable?

About 24,000 kids have trouble keeping up in kindergarten.

Impacts

Investing in early childhood: A plan for Quebec

$1 = $6

$600 million

$4,000

Solutions

Quality, accessible educational childcare services

Safe public places to learn and have fun

Tailored health care that is accessible to everyone

Support from pregnancy onwards for a better start for all babies

Collective measures to facilitate a work-family balance

Affordable and adequate housing where children can grow up safely

write to your elected officials

With just a few clicks of your mouse, write to your elected officials to get things moving

Enter your postal code to find your elected officials

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Thank you,

Learn more

What are the benefits to society?

What environments are they growing up in?

How are young children doing?

About us

The All in for all kids initiative unites committed partners who are inspired by a common goal:

Let's keep talking