Ontario’s current government has discussed making some drastic changes to Full-Day Kindergarten. Any one of these changes would dramatically alter the current model and significantly damage an already successful program.
EXPANDING PUBLIC EDUCATION
Evidence
Evaluation of Ontario's JK and K Program (2021)
ECE as Key Economic Infrastructure (2021)
Investments in early childhood education and childcare can help put Canada on a higher trend economic growth path. A high-quality ELCC program that young children can attend for several years can provide several benefits.
Ten Reasons to Expand Public Kindergarten
An increasing number of jurisdictions are following the research and committing to a two-year kindergarten experience for four- and five-year-old children in a play-based curriculum.
Dix raisons d’étendre l’accès à la maternelle publique
De plus en plus de juridictions suivent les recommandations issues de la recherche et s'engagent à offrir aux enfants de quatre et cinq ans une expérience de deux ans en maternelle, dans le cadre d'un programme basé sur le jeu.
The Rationale for Expanding Public Education to Include Preschool-Aged Children (2019)
We all want our children to have the best chance at a good life. Fifty years of research shows participation in a high-quality preschool program benefits children’s development and reduces gaps at school entry.
A significant part of the solution to early learning and child care resides in our schools by offering universal pre-kindergarden for 4-year-olds as an extension of public education.