The reality of rurality: rural parents' experiences of early years services.

This study examined the experiences of rural parents accessing early years support services through a specific service delivery strategy in Ontario, Canada. Nine focus groups and five interviews were conducted in two rural communities as part of a larger research project exploring parent experiences in both urban and rural communities. Thematic analysis, informed by a critical ecological systems perspective, revealed that certain factors related to rural life and location affected parents' experiences. Services must be accessible in terms of location and social and psychological dimensions for parents to attend and make use of supports. These supports, in turn, foster healthy child development and healthy communities.