Avenir d'enfants for early childhood development
Mobilizing local communities and involving them in early childhood development is one of the Foundation’s priorities.
If five-year-old children are to get off to a good start in school, they must have reached a certain level of maturity in five specific domains. The Early Development Instrument (EDI) identifies these domains as follows:
- Physical health and well-being
- Social competence
- Emotional maturity
- Language and cognitive development
- Communication skills and general knowledge
According to a study by the public health branch of the Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de Montréal published in 2008 (in French only), 65% of children entering kindergarten in Montreal have the maturity required to start school, while 35% are vulnerable in at least one of the five domains cited above.
The importance of early intervention in the life of a child
Since 2002-2004, the Foundation has focused its interventions on prevention, starting at a very early age. This approach has resulted in the creation of several projects, including Québec Enfants, an agency whose mission is to support local community projects aimed at fostering the overall development of children from conception to age five in order to promote school-readiness. Québec Enfants focuses on partnering local family resource centres, daycare services, schools, health and social service providers, and municipalities.
Adoption of an Act to develop an early childhood fund and the creation of a fund management corporation
It is crucial that the entire society be involved in promoting the educational success and well-being of children and their families. Alongside the actions led by Québec Enfants, therefore, the Foundation worked for many months in cooperation with the Quebec government to help create the Early Childhood Development Fund. The Act establishing this Fund, in the form of $400 million over ten years ($250 million from the Foundation and $150 million from the Quebec government), was adopted on September 24, 2009.
Avenir d’enfants off to a great start
On November 30, 2009, a non-profit organization (NPO) was created to administer the Fund. On April 16, 2010, this organization, initially called the Société de gestion du Fonds pour le développement des jeunes enfants, officially launched its activities under a new name: Avenir d’enfants.
The activities of Québec Enfants, which now no longer exists, are continuing under the auspices of Avenir d’enfants.
The mission of Avenir d'enfants is to support the mobilization of local communities involved in projects that promote the overall development of children under five living in poverty to ensure that every child has a chance to benefit from a good start in life.
To successfully fulfill this mission, Avenir d'enfants has chosen to offer guidance and financial support to collective actions and community projects.
To support this mobilization strategy, the organization has also chosen to encourage the acquisition and transfer of knowledge. Avenir d’enfants therefore also supports initiatives that reinforce the knowledge and skills needed to promote the well-being of children and their families.
Interested in participating, finding out more or applying for funding?
Visit the site at http://www.avenirdenfants.org/ for information on applications for project funding.