Full Day Kindergarten Coming to a School Near You

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Education announced that it was going ahead with the gradual implementation of full day kindergarten for Ontario students.   Although it will not be immediately available to all schools across the province, Premier McGuinty has promised that 600 schools throughout Ontario will offer the program this September, with an additional 200 schools scheduled to provide full day kindergarten in 2011.  Full implementation in all schools is slated for the 2015-2016 school year.

Depending on who you ask, this is either the best or worst idea ever.   The Ministry website states:

 "A full day of learning early in life can help improve a child's reading, writing and math skills and provide a strong foundation for future learning. We want to help prepare Ontario children for grade one and give them a better chance of finishing high school, going to postsecondary education and getting a good job. Putting Ontario's kids on track for future success at school, while making the day easier for hard-working Ontario parents, is the right thing to do."

This seems logical, as the evidence seems to support better student achievement with earlier entry.  However, I am not so comfortable with the statement about making the day easier for hard-working Ontario parents.    My own feeling is that such decisions should be based on the needs of children, and not be provided as a "convenience" for parents.

Detractors of full day kindergarten programs cite the cost involved in providing such programming, and rightly point to underfunded areas in the education system that could benefit from the additional funds being spent on kindergarten programs.  Special education, for one, is an area that could use more funding.  Some day care providers have also voiced their opposition, fearing that their services will be undermined by provincially funded full day kindergarten.

Parents, too, seem divided on the merits of full day kindergarten.  The decision whether or not to send a child to full day kindergarten should ideally be based on the individual child.  I am particularly concerned with how special needs children will be included in this new plan, and whether appropriate supports will be in place for them in a full day setting.  In my own situation, I would have been extremely hesitant to send my 4 year old autistic son off to school for a full day, whereas either of my daughters would most likely have been ready, although I still would have had reservations.  I enjoyed the time I had at home with them, and found it brief enough as it was.  It is up to each family to evaluate their own situation, with particular attention to the needs of their child, and to make the decision that best works for them. 

To find out which schools are offering full day kindergarten programs in your area, consult the Ministry website at the link below:

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/earlylearning/PhaseOneSchools.asp