Page 22 - Ontario Schools: Kindergarten to Grade 12

2
Learning Programs
2.1 The Full-Day Kindergarten Program
The full-day kindergarten program for four- and five-year-olds was introduced in September 2010 and will be fully implemented in all elementary schools across the province by September 2014. This is a child-centred, developmentally appropriate, integrated full day of learning that includes a core day program during regular school hours and, where sufficient demand exists, a complementary extended-day program before and after school.
Main page on the ministry website:
www.edu.gov.on.ca/kindergarten/informationforeducators.html
2.1.1 The Core Day Program
The program document The Full-Day Early Learning–Kindergarten Program will replace The Kindergarten Program (2006) when full-day kindergarten is fully implemented.
The goals of the program are to:
✦✦ establish a strong foundation for the early years by providing young children with an integrated day of learning;
✦✦ provide a play-based learning environment;
✦✦ help children make a smoother transition to Grade 1;
✦✦ improve children’s prospects for success in school and in their lives
beyond school.
The play-based learning program provides children with developmental opportuni- ties in six areas of learning – personal and social development, language, mathematics, science and technology, health and physical activity, and the arts.
20 OntariO SchOOlS, Kindergarten tO grade 12