Education is a fundamental human right. But children don’t always have the same pre-school opportunities for education and social inclusion.

Mothers Matter Centre (MMC) launched The Right to be Ready initiative to address the inequities of preschool preparedness on November 20^th, National Child Day and World Children’s Day in recognition of the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989.

Mothers Matter Centre – a national nonprofit in Vancouver, previously known as Home Instruction Program for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) Canada – is dedicated to serving socially isolated and low economic status mothers and their families.

Along with a focus on developing literacy, numeracy and language skills through play, MMC provides connections and supports for food, shelter and security. Their programs are designed to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty, low literacy and social isolation.

The Right to be Ready campaign comprises three parts:

• Social media campaign launch on World Children’s Day, November 20, 2022
• Community Dialogue Series, January-March 2023
• Two-day Conference, May 10-11, 2023

You can support the Right to be Ready initiative by sharing these social media post images (click on the image, then right-click to download) with hashtag #RightToBeReady.

Learn more on the Right to be Ready page on MMC’s website and check back for updates and registration for the Community Dialogue Series and the Right to be Ready Conference.

The Right to be Ready campaign is endorsed by Decoda Literacy Solutions, DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society, Canadian Child Care Federation, First Book Canada, First Call Child and Youth Advocacy Society, United for Literacy and Working Women Community Centre.

Below are some programs and resources to support children’s rights and pre-school equity.

• United Nations Convention on Rights of the Child (child-friendly)
• MMC’s HIPPY program
• MMC’s Bond to Literacy program
• MMC’s Safe-Space for an Early Learning Foundation
• Stress and Trauma Impact Children’s Learning
• Early Childhood Experiences and Lifelong Health
• Parents as Literacy Supporters in Immigrant Communities (IPALS)
• Tree of Children’s Rights activity
• Equitas – Human Rights programs
• BC Office of the Human Rights Commissioner