Our History
The Council for Early Child Development was founded in 2004 by Dr. J. Fraser Mustard. In 1999, Dr. Mustard and the Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain co-chaired the writing of the Early Years Study: Reversing the Real Brain Drain, a report commissioned by the Ontario government. The purpose of this report was to summarize the evidence on early child development and to make policy recommendations. The report provided a compelling overview of critical developmental stages in the early years and the importance of these for a person’s health and well-being across their life span.
The report inspired many to work towards improving child outcomes. A number of these people, working alongside Dr. Mustard, felt there was a need for an organization that would continue the work begun by the Early Years Study: monitoring the developments in early development science and transferring that knowledge to individuals, organizations and communities. Together, Dr. Mustard and his colleagues created the Council for Early Child Development.
Since its inception, the Council, and leaders within it, have worked tirelessly to bring the message of original Early Years Study into the public domain, thus influencing early child development experience across Canada. The Council has also developed and delivered some innovative programs to ensure that practice continues to be inspired and informed by current scientific and research information and that community experience is widely shared.
View the Council's Annual Reports from our Publications page>