The Childcare Resource and Research Unit has been developed and staffed by individuals with diverse backgrounds including early childhood education, psychology, library sciences, political science, women’s studies, sociology, labour unions and the arts.
The CRRU staff currently includes an executive director, three staff and a part-time website developer. We also provide student field placements for several post-secondary institutions. Together, this group of individuals provides public education and policy analysis; consults on child care policy and research; produces papers and other resources; and provides extensive online resources and research through the website.
CRRU staff can be contacted using the contact form or through individual emails.
CRRU staff
Martha Friendly
Executive Director
Martha Friendly is the executive director and founder of the Childcare Resource and Research Unit. As a policy researcher, Martha is an active participant in the cross-Canada child care movement that has been advocating for a universal public system of high quality child care since the 1970s and writes extensively about ECEC policy much of her work can be found by searching the Online Documents Catelogue. See About Martha Friendly for more information.
Martha can be contacted by email at mfriendly@childcarecanada.org
Jade Lillace (she/her)
Research Officer
Jade is a dedicated Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) with 11 years of experience in the early learning sector in Alberta and Ontario. In addition to an Honours Bachelor of Humanities from Carleton University and an Early Childhood Education diploma from Algonquin College, Jade will hold a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Studies from Toronto Metropolitan University following convocation in October 2023. With experience in public and private child care, full day kindergarten, and early intervention services, Jade bridges professional practice and early childhood policy. As an RECE and a white settler on Indigenous land, Jade seeks to disrupt colonial inheritances, and to transform the sector with anti-colonial and anti-oppressive knowledges. In her advocacy for decent work and compensation for educators, Jade is interested in increasing child care spaces for families by addressing the workforce crisis.
Connect with Jade on LinkedIn or via email at jlillace@childcarecanada.org
Billie Carroll
Web Developer
Billie is responsible for design and development of the CRRU websites. She acts as a consultant to CRRU in effectively using the web, supports CRRU staff in creating web content, and designs related print materials. She has been helping non-profit organizations with their web presence since 1997. Billie lives and works in Roberts Creek, BC. Contact Billie by email at billie@designbybillie.co
Grace Wolfe (she/her)
Social Research Assistant
Grace is a passionate Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) in Ontario, Canada. With an Honours Bachelor in Early Childhood Leadership and present experience in the field, Grace recognizes the complexity of the child care sector and the integral role social and family policy plays. Grace is thrilled to join the CRRU this summer and contribute to various ECEC advocacy, policy and research-based projects. In recent years, Grace has supported post-secondary students as president of an ECE advocacy group and has published her advocacy experiences in a co-authored paper. Empowered by the impact advocacy has, Grace has shared her experiences and personal story in various settings. Grace is particularly interested in advocating for educators’ wellbeing, the recruitment and retention of the ECEC workforce and the development of the Canada-wide early learning and child care system.
Connect with Grace on LinkedIn or via email at gwolfe@childcarecanada.org
Placement students/ Interns
The CRRU believes that mentorship in the ECEC sector is incredibly important and strives to create opportunities for mentorship and student experience. The CRRU hosts student placements/ internships from a number of academic institutions, organizations and community partners. Students and interns at the CRRU are an integral part of the organization and contribute to the work at the CRRU. If you’re interested in a placement or internship, please get in touch with us via email.