The Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP) is pleased to announce the release of the online 2026 Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (CHEQ) Provincial Summary. Completed by parents/caregivers of children at the start of their kindergarten year, CHEQ data offer a valuable window into the lived experiences of young children and their caregivers across the province.
Implemented in BC since 2017, more than three-quarters of school districts have participated in CHEQ data collection over the years, representing more than 30,000 kindergarten children. The CHEQ gathers information about children’s early experiences and contexts, including topics such as sleep, screen time, physical activity, outdoor and risky play, early literacy and peer experiences, access to child care and supports, family contexts and more.
This report synthesizes recent CHEQ data collected across participating BC school districts and data analysis linking CHEQ to Early Development Instrument (EDI) data for the same children. Through the CHEQ Provincial Summary, a clear picture emerges: children’s family contexts, daily activities, and community environments play a powerful role in supporting healthy development.
To learn more about the CHEQ, please visit our CHEQ Overview Page.