Understanding the Early Years (UEY) is a national research initiative that provides communities with the information they need to enhance services and supports for young children and their families.  Niagara Falls is one of 12 communities across the country participating in UEY, which is funded by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC).

 

UEY research is based on data from three sources:

 

• The Early Development Instrument (EDI), a teacher completed questionnaire that measures children's readiness to learn before they enter grade one
• The National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY), which collects information about how children's family, friends, and community influence their development, and
• The Community Mapping Study (CMS) which examines the environments in which children live, as well as the resources and supports available to families

 

Locally, the Early Childhood Community Development Centre (ECCDC) administers the UEY program and works closely with the District School Board of Niagara (DSBN), Niagara Catholic District School Board (NCDSB), and the French Language School Boards: Conseil Scolaire de District de Centre-Sud-Ouest, and Conseil Scolaire de District Catholique.

 

Participating in UEY has allowed our community to better understand how well the young children of Niagara are doing in their overall development and where improvements are needed. We can also gauge the effectiveness of our current and future plans for supporting children during the critical years before the age of six, and for optimizing programs, services, and policies aimed at helping them reach their full potential in life. 

 

In 2007, the UEY project updated the Niagara Region Early Years Research Inventory on behalf of the Early Years Niagara Research Advisory Group.