Understanding the Early Years (UEY) is a national initiative that enables members of communities across Canada to better understand the needs of their young children and families so that they can determine the best programs and services to meet local needs.

The UEY initiative provides members of participating communities with quality information on the school readiness of their kindergarten children; family and community factors that influence children’s development; and the availability of local resources to support young children and their families.  Parents, teachers, key decision-makers, and others interested in the well-being of children in each community can then work together to address the needs of children from birth to age six.  

UEY aims to involve children from all backgrounds including Aboriginal children, children of new immigrants, children in official language minority communities and children in disadvantaged circumstances.