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| Agendas / Meeting Notes |
| Best Start: Past, Present and Future |
| Terms of Reference |
| Members |
| Related Research and Reports |
| French Language Network |
| PASCAL MATERIALS |
What
is Best Start?
At its core, Best Start involves a massive expansion of investments in
every child's healthy early development and quality and affordable
child care - all in a convenient and easily accessible location for
parents.
But it is much more than that.
Best Start is a partnership with parents and families, created in
response to the clear message that Ontario's young children and their
families need more integrated and accessible services, more high
quality, regulated child care spaces, and more subsidies so that more
families can access those spaces. It is a long-term strategy that
began with an immediate expansion
of child care spaces.
Best Start is also a comprehensive evidence-informed system of services
that seamlessly support families with children from birth through their
transition into Grade 1. These services run the gamut from newborn and
infant screening to hearing programs to speech and language therapy that
help identify and provide support to children who need extra help for
healthy early development. They include quality child care, public
health, and parenting programs that help parents help their children to
be successful in school. They put families in touch with other
services that they might need.
In Leeds and Grenville decision has been made that including Healthy Babies, Healthy Children as a component of Best Start will better serve our youngest citizens.
Best Start Components
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A massive expansion of child care, predominantly in Ontario's publicly funded schools; creating more choice with respect to child care options.
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More child care subsidies so that more families can access quality, affordable child care spaces.
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Best Start neighbourhood hubs that provide one-stop services for families with children aged 0-6 in communities across Ontario.
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Universal newborn screening and support by public health nurses and ongoing services to identify needs early and provide vital developmental supports sooner.
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A comprehensive 18-month well-baby checkup.
See http://www.leedsandgrenville.ca/en/services/childrensservices.asp