Troubling Government Discourse on Early Learning Websites: A Critical Analysis

In an international study released in 2008, Canada’s provision of early childhood education and care ranked at the very bottom of 25 developed countries, achieving only one of ten minimum standards as outlined by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)(UNICEF, 2008). The results of this study, in addition to other emerging research (e.g., Janus & Offord, 2007), has attributed to the production and implementation of several early learning initiatives within Ministries across Canada (Beach, Friendly, Ferns, Prabhu, & Forera, 2009). The purpose of this paper is to analyze how children, childhood, and families are portrayed on multi-sector Ministry websites in western provinces and territories (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Yukon and Northwest Territories) as government transitions to these new initiatives and programs. Results indicate that the texts promote deficit notions of families and endorse families’ participation in these initiatives as ways to ensure success, not only in the child’s readiness for school, but in future individual economic success.