January 12, 2010 -- Ontario is investing in the education of our youngest students to better prepare them for future success. Local children and their families will benefit from an integrated day of learning and play when full-day early learning comes to Thunder Bay—Superior North this September.
Full-day early learning for four- and five-year-olds will be available at:
- Corpus Christi School (Thunder Bay District Catholic School Board)
- Algonquin Avenue and Vance Chapman Schools (Lakehead Public Schools)
- Ecole catholique Franco-Superieur (Conseil scolaire de district catholique des Aurores boréales)
- Holy Saviour School in Marathon (Superior—North Catholic School Board), and
- Margaret Twomey Public School in Marathon (Superior—Greenstone District School Board)
In full-day learning classrooms, teachers and registered early childhood educators will work together to help children learn and develop emotional, social and academic skills that are crucial for healthy development. Schools will also offer extended day programs led by early childhood educators, giving children even more opportunities to learn, play and grow.
Parents who are interested in registration for full-day learning classes, including the before- and after-school program, should contact their local school or school board.
The goal is for all schools to offer full-day learning by 2015-16.
QUOTES
“I am very pleased that our government is investing in the education of our youngest students. Full-day early learning will create a welcoming environment where children can learn, play and grow, and will give children more opportunities for success.”
-- Michael Gravelle, MPP, Thunder Bay—Superior North
“Through our experience with Fulltime Kindergarten at Lakehead Public Schools, we know that this program will be extremely valuable for students as it will build strong foundations for learning that will have profound influence on future student success. We have experienced great success through a similar model that clearly demonstrates the working partnerships between Early Childhood Educators and Teachers.”
-- Catherine Siemieniuk, Director of Education, Lakehead Public Schools
“Our government is to be applauded for this bold and most progressive step in investing in our future. The research and data clearly indicate that early learning will have a positive long-term impact on improving achievement for the youngest of our learners.”
- John De Faveri, Director of Education, Thunder Bay District Catholic School Board
“We are pleased that the government is moving in this direction. As a French-language school board, we recognize the importance of full-day learning for language acquisition.”
- Sylvianne Mauro, Director of Education, Conseil scolaire de district catholique des Aurores boréales
“We are delighted that our government has made Early Learning a priority and we are confident that this will positively impact our students.”
- Patti Pella, Director of Education, Superior—Greenstone District School Board
“By giving our four- and five-year-olds a stronger start in school, we’re giving them a stronger start in life. Full-day early learning will help more children, their families and Ontario’s communities thrive.”
- Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Education
QUICK FACTS
Up to 35,000 four- and five-year-olds in nearly 600 Ontario schools will attend full-day early learning in September. The full list of schools is available at Ontario.ca/EarlyLearning.
As part of the full-day learning initiative, parents can choose to enrol their child in integrated before- and after-school programs for a reasonable fee. Subsidies will be available for some families, based on financial need.
Full-day early learning will help students with their reading, writing and math skills, provide a smoother transition to Grade 1, help more students achieve success at school, and help create a stronger economy for the future.