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

Hundreds of young students 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 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 Board schools are offering the extended day program for before and after school care.

Schools not offering the Early Learning Porgram provide an all-day/alternate day Kindergarten format.

The roll out of the Early Learning Porgram 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 Early Learning Program 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.”



Escarpment View Public School 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 Early Learning Program, she says.

“We’re in it together,” says Faulknor, adding a poem was addressed to parents to reassure them the Early Learning Program 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 to support and live out this research to make sure it works."

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. 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.

Palermo Public School teacher Michelle Parsons 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 during the summer to make sure they had teaching centres, like water, sand and play dough, in place for students to explore.