Data and research

Building a child care system requires research, data collection, analysis, and development of indicators and dissemination of all of the above. Research should provide answers to key questions about child care provision, use, and governance, as well as impacts on families, children, women, society, and the economy at both national and sub-national levels.

A Canada-wide national data and research strategy implemented collaboratively across the federal government and including provincial/ territorial/ Indigenous partners, researchers, and the child care community is integral to transforming ELCC. The strategy should fund and coordinate ELCC data and research at a Canada-wide level, as well as research on related topics such as labour force participation, parental leave, poverty, and social exclusion.

Good ongoing data ensures that there is updated information on the current ELCC landscape across Canada so policy is being informed by evidence.