Full-Day Early Learning
Ontario will start phasing-in full-day learning for four- and five-year-olds next fall.
Up to 35,000 kindergarten students across Ontario will be enrolled in full-day learning in September 2010. This is part of the province’s plan to build a well-educated workforce, which is absolutely essential if we’re going to have a strong, growing economy.
Full-day learning will be phased in to every publicly funded school. The goal is to have full-day early learning fully implemented by 2015-16. This exciting new initiative will give our youngest students a stronger start on learning as they benefit from an extended, integrated, and stimulating day at school.
During the regular school year, certified teachers and registered early childhood educators will work together to help young children learn and grow during the regular school day.
Parents will also have the option of enrolling their children in an extended program before and after regular school hours, for example, 7 to 9 a.m. and 3:30 to 6 p.m., for a reasonable fee. Subsidies will be available to some families, based on financial need. Registered early childhood educators will lead the extended programs before and after the regular school day.
Local school boards, working with municipalities, will determine where the new full-day early learning programs will be introduced in our region. Schools that are selected will be announced in the new year, in time for parents to enrol their children for September 2010.
The government has committed to investing $200 million in 2010-11 and $300 million in 2011-12 for full-day early learning. By implementing it in phases, the program will be responsible and affordable, while giving more children and families the support they need for success.
Ontario is the first jurisdiction in North America to launch integrated and extended full-day learning for all four- and five-year-olds. By giving our kids an early start in school, we’re setting them on the road to success and building a stronger Ontario for us all.
For more information, including questions and answers for parents, visit Ontario.ca/earlylearning.