See links below for press releases.
On October 27th Premier Dalton McGuinty announced that Ontario will be moving forward with the implementation of full-day early learning for four and five year olds.
Highlights of the announcement include:
- The cost of the program will be $1.5 billion a year once fully implemented in 2015
- Educators (elementary teachers and early educators) will work together in the classrooms
- There will be extended hours led by early educators available to parents for a fee
- Approx. 35,000 children will be offered the full-day program in September 2010
Letter from Premier Dalton McGuinty
Response sent to the 130+ signers of the open letter released on September 22, 2009 urging the Premier to enact Pascal's early learning report.
McGuinty Government Putting Kids And Parents First, Government of Ontario
Full-day learning for four- and five-year-olds , Ontario Ministry of Education
Support for today's early learning announcement
Full day learning a big step forward, The Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario
Early learning investment key to recovery, The Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care
Ontario government moves forward on early learning, Campaign 2000
Full-day kindergarten will help families provide a better future for children, Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association
Franco-Ontarian teachers welcome proposed model for full-day kindergarten, Association des Enseignantes et des Enseignants Franco-Ontariens (AEFO)
Full-day learning will succeed with full involvement of schools, community and unions, CUPE Ontario
Full-day early learning is a good beginning, The Ontario Public School Board's Assocation
Full day kindergarten an important piece of the childcare puzzle, Ontario Federation of Labour
Points of view (selected) regarding the effects of restructuring programs for 4 and 5 year olds in Ontario, Shani Halfon
For more information on ratios, a key element in determining quality in an early years program, see CRRU's BRIEFing Note Ratios for four and five year olds: What does the research say? What else is important?