Full-day kindergarten closer to reality

NEWS RELEASES

GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO

DAVID ORAZIETTI, MPP

ONTARIO ENGLISH CATHOLIC TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION

***************************** Ontario's next step for full-day early learning

McGuinty government introduces legislation to give young children a stronger start

Ontario has taken an important step toward ensuring that all four- and five-year-olds have access to an engaging and enriching full day of learning.

Legislation will be introduced today that would, if passed, mandate that all school boards offer full-day learning for four- and five-year-olds, including the integrated extended-day programs. 

The Full-Day Early Learning Statute Law Amendment Act, 2010, would also give boards the authority and responsibility to set, charge and collect fees for the before- and after-school programs.

The full-day learning program will be rolled out to all elementary schools over the next five years.

It will help prepare young students for future success. It's part of the province's plan to build a stronger school system - a key to building a stronger Ontario.

Quotes

"Full-day learning will give four- and five-year-olds the strongest possible start in school. I'm excited to be introducing this legislation to give boards, principals, teachers and early childhood educators the support they need to implement this ground-breaking program." - Leona Dombrowsky, minister of education

Quick facts

- In September 2010, up to 35,000 children in nearly 600 schools are expected to participate in the first phase of the provincial full-day learning program.

- School boards recommended which schools should offer full-day learning in September 2010 based on a set of criteria, including available space and local need.

- Full-day learning is being phased in over time, with a goal of having it available in all elementary schools by 2015-16.

***************************** Province moves forward with legislation for full-day learning and extended day education

McGuinty government delivering more resources to prepare early learners for future success in Sault Ste. Marie

QUEEN'S PARK - The McGuinty government is delivering on its education plan by introducing the Full-Day Early Learning Statute Law Amendment Act at Queen’s Park this afternoon.

This legislation, which will deliver full-day early learning classes that include before and after school programs for four-and five-year-olds, is scheduled to begin this September, David Orazietti MPP announced today.

"By providing four-and five-year-olds in our community with more resources in the early years, we are placing them in a stronger position to excel as adults," said Orazietti. "This legislation will help more children, their families and northern Ontario prosper by better preparing early learners for future success."

In full-day learning classrooms, teachers and registered early childhood educators will work together to help children develop emotional, social and academic skills that are crucial for healthy development.

Schools will also offer extended day programs led by early childhood educators.

Parents can enroll their child in these integrated programs for a reasonable fee, giving children even more opportunities to learn, play and grow.

"There is significant research that indicates that the earlier children are in structured learning programs the more successful they'll be in their schooling and in their work life. As well, this government initiative meets the needs of families who have 2 working parents who require child care options before and after school. This is a win-win for families and students" said ADSB Director of Education Mario Turco.

"We know that families and children in the Sault and Algoma need and want full-day learning. I’m so excited that we are taking the important first step towards giving all of our four-and five-year-olds a firmer foundation for learning and for life," said HSCDSB Director of Education John Stadnyk.

Parents who are interested in registration for full-day learning classes, including the before and after school program, should contact their local school or school board.

Full-day early learning for four-and five-year-olds will be available at schools in Sault Ste. Marie that are run by the Algoma District School Board, CSD Catholique du Nouvel-Ontario and Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board.

Ontario is investing $1.5 billion in the education of our youngest students to better prepare them for future success.

When fully implemented in all schools in Ontario by 2015-16 there will be 3,800 new teaching positions and up to 20,000 Early Childhood Educator positions.

The introduction of legislation today is part of the McGuinty government’s continuing commitment to support education in Sault Ste. Marie.

The McGuinty government has invested an additional $27 million in Sault Ste. Marie schools over the last six years despite a decline in enrolment of 4,129 students.

As a result, per pupil funding is up 50 percent over the same period, which has allowed local boards to maintain an additional 79 teaching positions.

The province has also committed over $70 million to construct new local schools in Sault Ste. Marie, such as the Superior Heights Collegiate and Vocational School, which is the first new school to be built in the community in more than 30 years.

The new Superior Heights C&VS is scheduled to open in the fall of 2011 for Grades 7-12.

Quick facts

Up to 35,000 four-and five-year-olds in nearly 600 Ontario schools will attend full-day early learning in September. The full list of schools is available at: www.edu.gov.on.ca/earlylearning/PhaseOneSchools.html

As part of the full-day learning initiative, parents can choose to enroll their child in integrated before and after school programs for a reasonable fee. Subsidies will be available for some families, based on financial need.

Full-day early learning will help students with their reading, writing and math skills, provide a smoother transition to Grade 1, help more students achieve success at school and help create a stronger economy for the future of Ontario.

***************************** OECTA supports full day kindergarten

TORONTO - Ontario's Catholic Teachers support the move to full day Kindergarten and look forward to reviewing the details of enabling legislation that was introduced to the Ontario Legislature today by Education Minister Leona Dombrowsky.

"We are already scheduling discussions with the government for clarification of the contents of the Bill," says OECTA President James Ryan. "Above all, we want to ensure that the program that is being rolled out over the next five years meets the needs of Ontario's four- and five-year-olds and their parents, teachers and Early Childhood Educators (ECEs)."

OECTA represents the 45,000 women and men who teach from Kindergarten through high school in Ontario's publicly funded English Catholic schools.

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