Best Start is about...
- Best Start is about children
  Each child is an active learner, full of curiosity
  and potential, eager and capable of achieving success in school and beyond.
  Best Start is about providing the supports to
  bring out the best in young children.
- Best Start is about families
  Parents are the first, most important and most
  lasting teachers in a child's life.
  Best Start is about supporting parents and
  families, and collaborating with them to enable
  them to provide children with the best possible opportunities early intheir lives.
- Best Start is about community
  and connections
  Community partners view themselves as part
  of an integrated system of supports for
  early child development and parenting.
  Best Start is about strengthening partnerships
  and enhancing the integration of all community
  supports for children and their families.
- Best Start is about our future
  A continuous learning environment, a
  commitment to early child development and
  parenting are key priorities for our community.
  Best Start is about doing what is best for
  our children and our future.

Preschool Speech and Language Program

Hamilton's children deserve the best start in life and the chance to achieve their very best in school. Best Start will support families by offering a broad range of services for children 0-6 years of age that will ensure their children receive the best possible opportunities early in their lives.

Neuroscience and human development studies show that experience-based brain development in the early years of life affects learning, behaviour and health throughout a person's life (The Early Years Study, 1999).

Best Start is the initiative that recognizes this research and puts theory into practice. It empowers communities to offer comprehensive, flexible, integrated and seamless services for all children and parents at familiar neighbourhood locations.

The long-term nature of Best Start means that we will move beyond preparing children for early learning successes to preparing the next generation of adults to be full participants in their own communities.

For more information on Ontario's Best Start Program, please click here.

For more information on Hamilton's Best Start Program, please click here.