By Jason Misner
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER, HDSB STAFF

Nearly a dozen Halton District School Board elementary schools are more than a full week into their participation in the Ontario Ministry of Education’s groundbreaking all-day Kindergarten program.

Hundreds of kids are enrolled in Halton’s Early Learning Program (ELP), learning numerous skills including how to spell their name or understanding measurements while making new friendships. Spread between 11 schools – representing 15 per cent of Board schools – in 46 ELP classes, 46 teachers and 49 early childhood educators (ECEs) are working together to deliver a program predicated on kids playing and completing supervised activities to promote better learning.

Nearly 600 Ontario schools currently offer full-day kindergarten.

It’s all part of the province’s emphasis on early learning – its success backed by studies presented by the Ontario Premier’s special advisor – as an effective means to reach four and five year olds as they embark on a new world of education.

Also, four schools are offering the extended day program for before and after school care.

Schools not offering the ELP provide an all-day/alternate day Kindergarten format.

The roll out of the ELP has gone “very smoothly,” says Mark Zonneveld, Board Superintendent of Education.

“The expertise and additional support of the Early Childhood Educator is a welcome addition in every ELP classroom,” he says. “The all-day, everyday structure allows staff to slow down the often rushed pace of the regular kindergarten program, while providing more time for physical activity, and allowing students to explore their own interests. By the end of senior Kindergarten, more students will be ready to experience success in Grade 1.”

Staff members are excited by the ELP and hopeful the benefits will show for years to come.

At Escarpment View Public School in Milton, students were fully enthralled in their first few days of ELP. The school has created eight Kindergarten rooms to accommodate more than 200 students enrolled in all-day Kindergarten.

During a portion of this particular day in one of the school’s eight class, kids listen to a story being read aloud, use a computer and do puzzles, among other activities.

Escarpment View principal Beverly Faulknor says the students are in great hands at her school, with a “dynamite” staff at the ready to ensure the kids are comfortable. Staff attended workshops and seminars in the summer to learn more about the ELP, she says.

“We’re in it together,” says Faulknor, adding a poem was addressed to parents to reassure them the ELP will be a positive experience. “I am hoping we bring to life just what the studies have shown, that the kids will thrive in this inquiry play-based learning (environment). We will do everything we can do to support and live out this research to make sure it works.

Teacher Mary Fisher and Early Childhood Educator April Hunter are proud to be a part of the beginning of the ELP in Halton.

“I think it’s been really great so far,” says Kindergarten teacher Fisher. “We’re really excited to work with an ECE. They bring a new set of skills.”

Says Early Childhood Educator Hunter: “I’m feeling really excited. I think it’s great for the families and children. I think this new play-based learning is really going to help children explore their interests and connect with each other.”

According to the education ministry, full-day kindergarten is the next step in its plan to help kids get a better early education in the primary grades.

The program provides four and five year olds with a seamless and integrated day that includes an engaging, play-based educational program during the regular school day and integrated programs before and after school hours designed to complement the regular school day, says the ministry.

During the regular school day, children are involved in many different kinds of activities designed to help young learners explore, discover and grow. They will have opportunities to initiate learning and play, as well as take part in more structured play-based learning under the guidance of a teacher and early childhood educator.

The teacher and early childhood educators are guided by a curriculum document based on the existing kindergarten program and research and other early learning parameters.

Through play-based learning and small group instruction, the ministry says children develop a strong foundation for learning in all areas, including language and math, engage in healthy physical activities and the arts and develop socially and emotionally through interaction with their peers and the educators who guide them.

At Oakville's Palermo Public School, excitement for the program clung to the air during the first few days of the program.

Teacher Michelle Parsons – with a class of around 25 students – says the addition of an early childhood educator has been very helpful, providing more time to assess and help students.

“I feel we’re able to spend more time getting to know the students and having more one on one time with them,” she says, adding she met with Early Childhood Educator Connie Goodfellow a few times over the summer to make sure they had teaching centres, like water, sand and play dough, in place.

“It’s an amazing program,” says Goodfellow. “I think it’s great so far.”

The first week was “very good,” says Palermo Principal Chris Alexiou, adding teaching and ECE staff members have “really come together as a team.”

Children have adapted well to the introduction of ELP, he says.

“I think their literacy skills are going to develop faster,” Alexiou explains of some of the benefits of all-day Kindergarten.