This paper, based on The Stapleford Lecture "Child care and early childhood education: Whose right? Whose responsibility?" presented at the University of Regina, explores three main themes. First, using an overview of the beginnings of early childhood services as an illustration, it examines how child care and early childhood education have evolved as two separate "silos" in Canada, and why overcoming this division is critical. The second theme looks at the new interest in children's rights, how child care and early childhood education are part of this conception and the implications that these ideas have for effective action. Finally, this paper concludes by examining the barriers and opportunities for moving early childhood care and education ahead on the public and political agenda.