Shared Perspectives on Family Policies and Early Childhood Education: Canada–Norway

On October 21, 2025, the Centre de recherche en santé publique (CReSP), CIRANO, and the Observatoire pour l’éducation et la santé des enfants (OPES), in collaboration with the Association québécoise des centres de la petite enfance (AQCPE), held the conference Growing Together: Shared Perspectives on Early Childhood Education in Canada and Norway.

The event brought together researchers, policymakers, and early childhood professionals to explore three key themes:

• Equity and participation of families from vulnerable backgrounds;

• Quality of services in a mixed (public/private) system;

• Recognition and value of early childhood professionals.

Presentations by Professor Henrik Zachrisson (University of Oslo) and Professor Sylvana Côté (Université de Montréal, CIRANO Researcher and Fellow) shed light on the structural and cultural differences between the Canadian (Quebec) and Norwegian systems.

In Norway, family policies follow a universal and integrated model, ensuring equitable access to high-quality educational services and strong work-family balance measures.

In Quebec, the mixed public-private model supports a diversified offer and broad coverage but raises issues of equitable access and workforce recognition.

Moderated by Dr. Marie France Raynault, the discussion highlighted the complementarity of both approaches: Norway’s experience offers lessons for enhancing the coherence and quality of Quebec’s system, while Quebec’s dynamic, diversified model reflects the strength of local adaptability.

Professor Henrik Zachrisson (University of Oslo) and Professor Sylvana Côté (Université de Montréal, CIRANO Researcher and Fellow)