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
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.com
Tegan Ngoc Tho Nguyen (she/they), RECE, Hon. BECL, BA, Research Officer
Tegan is a proud Registered Early Childhood Educator based in Ontario, Canada. Tegan had worked with children and families in the health care sector in her home country—Vietnam—before completing her Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership at George Brown College, Toronto. In their role at the CRRU, Tegan works collaboratively with researchers, policymakers and advocates on a number of policy and research-based projects related to early childhood education and care. Tegan is particularly interested in decolonizing policy making, supporting public engagement with policy to inform social change, and building a Canada-wide child care system that is sustainable for all—children, families, communities and the workforce. When their capacity allows, Tegan works and volunteers as a community organizer in their local child care community.
Connect with Tegan on LinkedIn or via email at tnguyen@childcarecanada.org
Patrícia Borges Nogueira (she/her), RECE, BCJ, Research Officer
Patrícia is a proud Registered Early Childhood Educator in Ontario, Canada. She also holds a Bachelor of Communication and Journalism from Universidade de Fortaleza in Brazil. In her role at the CRRU, Patrícia works alongside research officers and other staff members on a number of policy and research-based projects in the early childhood education and care sector. Patrícia is particularly interested in workforce issues and in supporting educators in their work with children and families. In addition to her role at CRRU, Patrícia is also the Communications and Outreach Coordinator at the Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario.
Connect with Patrícia on LinkedIn or via email at pborgesnogueira@childcarecanada.org
Matthew Taylor (he/him), RECE, Hon. BASc, Research Officer
Matthew is a proud Registered Early Childhood Educator based in Ontario, Canada. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Studies from Guelph University, as well as diplomas in Early Childhood Education from George Brown and Humber College. Before joining the CRRU, Matthew was the program coordinator for a Before- and After-School Program in Toronto, Ontario. As a research officer at the CRRU, Matthew works with colleagues, advocates, and policymakers to complete projects related to early childhood education and care. Matthew is particularly interested in the challenges that lone-parent families face, the expansion of non-standard hours care, and supporting a strong early childhood education and care workforce.
Connect with Matthew on LinkedIn or via email at mtaylor@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.