Early Childhood Education Programs are an integral and accepted part of the education of almost all American Indian children in Canada, with one or more programs being available on most reserves. Most of the programs were organized at the request of parents and local school committees. Nursery School or K1 Programs involve 4-year-olds. In many areas these are separate programs and, in some cases, the only educational program available. Some small communities offer a combined program for 4- and 5-year-olds to make the operation of a program feasible. Kindergarten or K2 Programs for 5-year-olds are established on many reserves. All programs have a very low adult-child ratio of between 1 to 6 and 1 to 10, which provides maximum attention for each child. All programs meet the children's need: not to live apart from their parents and family; to feel secure and loved; to be safe, protected against physical, moral and social hazards; to be active in exploring and moving about freely, using the senses in experimenting with various things; to develop means of communication through language, art, music, science, and other fields; to feel pride in their own achievements; to play, have adequate recreation, and enjoy life. Intended to provide the reader with an understanding of the philosophy of preschool Indian education in Canada, this publication describes the program, its purpose and scope; discusses the roles of parents, teachers, and the community; and discusses training programs for preschool workers. (NQ)