NCCIH
December 2025
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 childhood program 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 infographic presents key findings from the quality ELCC programming study. Multiple First Nations partners — including policy makers, program administrators, early childhood educators, and parents and grandparents — shared their insights and perspectives on quality early learning and child care (ELCC) programming in First Nations communities. The presented results outline the difficulties First Nations communities face with early childhood program delivery on reserve, including major obstacles and critical hindrances to ELCC program progress, as well as what’s needed for quality enhancement in on-reserve ELCC programming.
More detailed results from this study — and the other two interrelated studies — can be found in the larger project report, Quality care and young First Nations children: An exploration of optimal learning and development in early childhood settings on reserve.
Read the web story | View or download the infographic (PDF)
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