Overview
Inclusive Child Care for All is a national project funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) and delivered through a partnership between Oxfam Canada, Child Care Now, and Pacific Immigrant Resources Society (PIRS) started in 2025.
At PIRS, the project focuses on building the advocacy skills and leadership capacity of parent, caregivers, early childhood educators, and community members with lived and/or professional experience in early learning and child care. Through learning opportunities, networking, and policy engagement, participants contribute to advancing a more inclusive, accessible, and equitable child care system across Canada.
At PIRS, participants have opportunities to:
- Strengthen advocacy, leadership, and public speaking skills.
- Share lived and professional experiences to inform policy and practice.
- Connect with a national network of parents, caregivers, educators, and advocates.
- Participate in workshops, learning sessions, and community discussions.
- Engage with policymakers and community leaders to promote inclusive child care.
Who Participates
The PIRS program welcomes individuals with lived and/or professional experience in early learning and child care.
We value diverse perspectives and encourage participation from people whose voices are often underrepresented in policy discussions, including newcomers, Indigenous Peoples, racialized communities, families of children with disabilities, and other equity-deserving communities.
Project Highlights
Over the past year, the project has brought together parents, caregivers, educators, community leaders, and advocates from across Canada to strengthen inclusive child care advocacy through learning, collaboration, and community engagement.
Community of Practice
PIRS established a Community of Practice (CoP) to bring together alumni and project participants in BC in an ongoing learning community. Through regular meetings and peer-to-peer discussions, participants continue to build advocacy skills, exchange ideas, and support one another in advancing inclusive child care. Challenges heard from participants were compiled into a report at the end of the project. Read the report here.
Community Awareness
Through storytelling, knowledge sharing, and public engagement including participation in the Days of Action campaign , the project raised awareness of the importance of universal child care for all children and families.
Looking Ahead
The Inclusive Child Care for All project continues to create opportunities for collaboration, learning, and advocacy while supporting equitable and inclusive early learning and child care across Canada during the 2026–2027 year.
Inclusive Child Care for All is delivered collaboratively by Oxfam Canada, Child Care Now, and Pacific Immigrant Resources Society (PIRS), with funding from Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE). Together, we are working to strengthen community leadership and advance policies that support inclusive early learning and child care for all children and families.
