Council for Early Child Development

Founded by Dr. Fraser Mustard in 2004, the Council for Early Child Development is based on the recommendations of the Ontario Early Years Study (McCain & Mustard, 1999).  The Council's Board of Directors draws from business, education, health, academia, early child development communities, and private citizens.  Supported by foundation and private sector contributions, the Council is a not-for-profit, non-governmental association of community and scientific networks with a focus on early child development science and community action.

The Council envisions community-based early child development and parenting centres linked to the school system and available to all families and young children. These centres are designed to support early brain development. The school-based centres are the hub of an integrated community network of programs, resources, and supports. Centre organization would vary from community to community, depending upon local needs and sensitivity to cultural diversity. Early child development and parenting centres implement the government of Canada’s QUAD (quality, universality, accessibility, and developmental) vision for early child development.