Ontario Moves Forward With Full-Day Learning

McGuinty Government Putting Kids And Parents First

Ontario will start phasing-in full-day learning for four- and five-year-olds next fall as part of the province’s plan to build a well-educated workforce.

Up to 35,000 kindergarten students across Ontario will be enrolled in full-day learning in September, 2010. The goal is to have the program for four- and five-year-olds fully implemented in all schools by 2015-16.

“We have committed ourselves today to provide kids early in their life the chance to learn and grow into tomorrow’s leaders” said MPP Dave Levac. “Ontario now leads as the only place in North America that will offer full-day learning for all four- and five-year-olds. I look forward to also having ECE’s as an important part of the educational system.”

Four- and five-year-olds will learn under the guidance of a teacher and an early childhood educator. Parents may also enrol their child for extended hours for a reasonable fee, before and after regular school hours. This will make it easier for parents to get to and from work and will ensure their children have an integrated learning program for the whole day.

This is part of the government’s ongoing plan to strengthen education that began with smaller class sizes, higher test scores, an improved graduation rate and Reaching Higher. Building the skills and education of Ontario’s workforce is a key part of the government’s plan to create a stronger economy.

QUOTES

“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.”

— Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario

“Giving young students an earlier start on their learning will improve their reading, writing and math skills, provide a smoother transition to Grade 1 and help increase their success in school and beyond.”

— Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Education

“This initiative is great for kids, great for their families and responds to what the experts have been telling us about the early years being critical to a child’s educational and social development.”

— Laurel Broten, Minister of Children and Youth Services

“Establishing a strong foundation in the early years and building on it is the single most powerful factor in Ontario’s social and economic future. This is definitely a step in the right direction.”

— Dr. Charles Pascal, Premier’s Special Advisor on Early Learning

QUICK FACTS

Ontario is the only place in North America that will offer full-day learning for all four- and five-year-olds.

This year, school boards will recommend sites. In the new year, school boards will know which schools will start the early learning program in September 2010.

Subsidies will be available, based on need, for families who need help with the cost of extended day programming, before and after school hours.

There will be approximately 26 kids in a class with one teacher and one early childhood educator under the new program. That means more individual attention over a full day than students get now over a half day.

LEARN MORE

Find out more about full-day learning.

See how early learning is part of Ontario’s plan to reduce poverty.

Read a summary of the report on early learning.