In this course, students examine how social policy, funding, and regulation impact on the provision of accessible, affordable, high quality child care in Canada with a strong focus on Ontario. Students examine and discuss regulated, centre-based child care programs, the role of family home day care, family support programs and other early learning programs in Canada with the emphasis on Ontario. Students explore early childhood public policy including the role of all levels of Canadian government in the delivery of child care, how early learning programs are managed and evaluated. Special attention is paid to the role of the early childhood educator in providing, promoting and advocating for quality early childhood education.TEXTBOOK REQUIRED