June is National Indigenous History Month, a time to recognize the histories, cultures, contributions, and leadership of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the importance of ensuring that Indigenous children and families have access to early learning and child care programs that are designed and led by Indigenous Communities.

Across Canada, Indigenous organizations have emphasized that child care is more than a service that allows parents to participate in the workforce. Indigenous-led early learning and child care programs can also support language revitalization, cultural continuity, community connections, and children’s sense of identity and belonging. For many Indigenous Communities, these programs are an important part of supporting children and families while strengthening connections to culture, language, and community. 

Ontario continues to support Indigenous-led child care and child and family programs both on and off reserve. According to Ontario’s Early Years and Child Care Annual Report 2025, the province supported 64 First Nation Communities through child care and child and family programs on reserve, as well as 60 Indigenous-led programs serving urban and rural communities off reserve. These programs included child care centres, child and family programs, and integrated services designed to support Indigenous children and families.

While important progress has been made, Indigenous organizations continue to identify a need for additional Indigenous-led child care spaces. The Assembly of First Nations reports that children who participate in First Nations-specific child care programs are more likely to meet developmental milestones. Yet fewer than one-quarter of First Nations children currently access regular child care services. The Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres estimates that at least 13,000 additional child care spaces are needed to meet demand in urban Indigenous Communities across Ontario. This highlights the importance of continuing to support the development and expansion of Indigenous-led child care programs that are responsive to the needs and priorities of Indigenous children, families, and communities.

National Indigenous History Month offers an opportunity to recognize the importance of Indigenous-led child care and its role in supporting children, families, and communities. Continued investment in these programs is essential to ensuring that Indigenous families have access to high-quality early learning and child care services that reflect their communities’ priorities, languages, and cultures.