January 2010 Update: Commonly asked questions concerning the full-day ELP
What will the full-day Early Learning Program (ELP) look like?
The Ministry of Education has announced the provision of full day, every day learning for four and five year olds beginning in September of 2010. The Early Learning Program (ELP) will be implemented over five years, with 15% of Junior and Senior Kindergarten students participating in the first year. In Halton this will involve 36 classes, for a total of about 936 students.
Teachers and Early Childhood Educators will work together to help children learn during the regular school day. Depending on parental demand, schools will also offer programs before and after regular school hours led by Early Childhood Educators. These programs will be referred to as “extended day” programs. There will be a fee for these programs and subsidies will be available for some families, based on financial need.
For further information please check the Ministry of Education website at www.edu.gov.on.ca/earlylearning/
Is full-day early learning mandatory for four- and five-year-olds?
The Early Learning Program (ELP), like half-time Kindergarten, will continue to be optional for four and five year olds. In Ontario, children are required to attend school once they turn six years old. Although Kindergarten is voluntary, 90 per cent of eligible children are enrolled.
Do children have to attend the before and after school component of program?
The extended day program is optional. Information will be made available as soon as further direction is received from the Ministry, and the Halton District School Board’s plans are finalized.
How does this affect Kindergarten registration?
Kindergarten registration will proceed according to the process established at your home school. Parents are asked to register their child by February 8, 2010.
How is the Early Learning Program (ELP) different from the current JK/SK Program?
| Current JK/SK Program |
Early Learning Program |
| Students attend half time |
Students attend full day, every day |
| Teacher provides the program |
Teacher and Early Childhood Educator (ECE) provide the program |
| Adult student ratio of 1:20 |
Adult student ratio of 2:26 |
| Before and after school care provided by outside agencies, such as the YMCA. (parents pay for this service) |
Before and after school program provided by the school board (parents pay for this service) |
Which schools have been selected for first year of implementation (September 2010)?
In the first year of a 5-year implementation plan, the Halton District School Board will provide the Full-day Early Learning Program at 11 schools. The ELP school sites approved for the 2010-2011 school year are:
· P.L. Robertson Public School, Milton
· Escarpment View Public School, Milton
· King’s Road Public School, Burlington
· Mohawk Gardens Public School, Burlington
· Tom Thomson Public School, Burlington
· Lakeshore Public School, Burlington
· W.H. Morden Public School, Oakville
· Abbey Lane Public School, Oakville
· Oakwood Public School, Oakville
· Clearview school, Oakville (currently under construction)
· Palermo school, Oakville (currently under construction)
Can I apply for my child to attend the ELP if we live outside the school’s boundary?
Kindergarten-age students who live within the school boundary for the above listed schools may attend the school’s Early Learning Program (ELP).
Families who live outside the school boundary of these ELP schools are advised to apply for Optional Attendance if they wish to have their kindergarten-age child attend the All-day Early Learning Program.
How do I apply for Optional Attendance?
Optional Attendance is the process whereby students who live outside the boundary for a particular school, apply to attend that school. Optional Attendance forms may be picked up at your home school or downloaded here. Optional Attendance forms must be handed in at your home school.
Optional Attendance Selection Process for the Early Learning Program (ELP)
Normally, Optional Attendance requests are processed in order of the date the applications are received at the home schools. This practice will not be used for the Early Learning Program. Instead, if there are more Optional Attendance applications than places available in the school’s ELP, the order of application approval will be determined by lottery. The date for the lottery will be communicated to applicants and will be conducted by the Principal/Vice-principal and member(s) of the school council.
Parents are advised not to make changes to their child care arrangements until their application has been approved.