Floradale Public School will be one of approximately 600 schools in Ontario to introduce full-day, every day kindergarten in September.
It is part of the provincial government’s plan to have early childhood education for four-and-five-year-olds in all Ontario public schools by 2015-16.
“We’re looking forward to it,” said Floradale principal Leslie McNabb.
She indicated that more details about the school’s move to full-day kindergarten will soon be sent out to parents. School officials were aware that the Waterloo Region District School Board had submitted Floradale on its short list of schools. School boards across the province had been asked to submit a list of eligible schools to the ministry in December. Priority was given to schools in low-income neighbourhoods, along with those with the greatest need of the program and available space.
“We were waiting for Ministry approval of the list,” said McNabb, who noted their school had the space for it.
Construction on Floradale Public’s brand new school began two years ago, with the new facility to open in March.
“The new school is ready and waiting with three Kindergarten classes,” said McNabb.
She indicated that the school’s ESL (English as a second language) students will benefit from the opportunity to have full-day, every day kindergarten classes.
Floradale is one of 12 schools from the Waterloo Region District School Board that will introduce the new kindergarten program in the fall. Along with full-day classes, parents also have the option of before and/or after-school care, through fee-based early learning programs.
Eight schools from the Waterloo Region Catholic School Board will also introduce full-day kindergarten, although Elmira’s St. Teresa is not among them.
Wellington County’s Drayton Heights Public School was also on the list.
Last week’s announcement fulfills an election promise made by Premier Dalton McGuinty during the provincial 2007 election.
Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Leeanna Pendergast expressed her support for the government’s decision.
“Creating full-day learning across the province will help our youngest students prepare for future success and help create a stronger economy,” said Pendergast in a press release.
A full list of schools to have full-day kindergarten next year is available at www.edu.gov.on.ca/earlylearning.
Parents can begin to sign up their children for kindergarten next month.
Registration at Waterloo District schools runs Feb. 1-12, while registration at the region’s Catholic schools goes Feb. 4-29.