The Ontario Early Years Study (1999) was co-chaired by the Hon. Margaret Norrie McCain and J. Fraser Mustard. It recommends an integrated system of community-based early child development and parenting centres linked to the school system.
Centre Principles

• Community-based ? Centres will be located in or linked to neighbourhood schools
• Quality ? Support optimal child development
• Relationships ? Respond to children?s cues and nurture connections
• Parent-oriented and child-oriented ? Engage children and their parents or other caregivers
• Universality ? Access to affordable and inclusive options for all children, from conception to age six, and their families
• Diversity ? Respect for cultural diversity
• Accountability ? Meet the needs of families, communities, and society

Centre Components

• Problem-based play ? Environments that offer children opportunities to explore, discover, and create promote learning. Regular, consistent play provides rich sensory input that stimulates core brain development.
• Parenting ? The parent-child relationship is the most powerful influence on children's early brain development, particularly in the first two years.
• Resources ? Centres can be linked to home visiting and home care satellites. They can also provide a platform for the delivery of early identification and intervention services.
• Prenatal & postnatal supports ? Expecting and new parents will have access to childbirth and child development information, group discussions, workshops, and neighbourhood and community resources.
• Nutrition ? Optimal early child development begins with adequate nutrition from conception onwards.
• Full-day, full-year options ? Families require a range of care arrangements including part-time, full-time, occasional, and respite options.

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