Chair of the board applauds announcement of full-day early learning locations
in Peel, calls for five-year ministry plan that provides capital funding now

TORONTO , Jan. 12 /CNW/ - Starting next fall, the Ministry of Education will begin phasing in full-day early learning for up to 35,000 four- and five-year old students in Ontario. The ministry has approved the following full-day early learning program sites in Peel board schools beginning Sept. 2010:

    
    Mississauga                          Brampton

    Brandon Gate P.S.                    Hanover P.S.
    Brian W. Fleming P.S.                Madoc Drive P.S.
    Brookmede P.S.                       Massey Street P.S.
    Cooksville Creek P.S.                Queen Street P.S.
    Dixie P.S.                           Ridgeview P.S.
    Ellengale P.S.                       Sir Winston Churchill P.S.
    Elmcrest P.S.                        Springdale P.S.
    Floradale P.S.                       Thorndale P.S.
    Marvin Heights P.S.
    Plowman's Park P.S.
    Riverside P.S.
    Thorn Lodge P.S.
    

We all know the value of early learning-the sooner we can have education play a key role in the life of a child, the greater the positive impact on that life," says Janet McDougald, chair of the Peel District School Board. "We applaud the province's move to introduce full-day early learning - a program that parents not only want, but one that children in Peel need. But we need a long-range plan that provides us with capital funding now if we want to implement the program fully within five years. The funding is needed to ensure the program is available not just where we happen to have space, but rather where we have the greatest need as we roll out the classes. This is a key priority in the year ahead."

As part of the full-day program, certified teachers and registered early childhood educators will work together to help young students learn and grow during the regular school day. Families can also choose to register their children for optional student programs held before and after the regular school day.

Through instruction and play-based learning, children will develop socially and emotionally through interaction with their peers and the adults who teach and guide them. They will also develop their capacity in language and mathematics, and engage in healthy physical activities and the arts. A new curriculum, based largely on the current kindergarten program, is being developed by the ministry.

Notes McDougald, "We need to begin to work together to develop the ministry's plan now, to map out the schools to be added each year. Mathematically it should be more than 105 classes a year if we want to fully implement the full-day early learning program in every Peel school within five years."

Only families living within the boundary of any of the above schools can register children in the full-day program through the school's kindergarten registration process - flexible boundary applications will not be approved. Kindergarten Registration in Peel schools runs from Feb. 8 to 19. For information about kindergarten registration, contact a school or visit the Peel board website at www.peelschools.org.

In November 2009 , the Peel District School Board sent the ministry a list of potential schools based on available space, community need using Social Risk Index data, impact on existing local child care, student achievement and readiness to implement. The ministry's goal is to have the program fully implemented in all publicly-funded schools in the province by 2015-16.

A comprehensive communication plan will inform parents about the program at the new sites. More information about the full-day learning program is available on www.peelschools.org.

For further information: Media contact: Janet McDougald, Chair of the Board, Peel District School Board, [phone], [email protected]; Reference: Carla Pereira, Communications Officer, Peel District School Board, [phone], ext. 2626, [email protected]