“The Thames Valley District School Board is very supportive of the Ministry of Education’s Full-Day Kindergarten Program,” said Director of Education Bill Tucker. “We know how beneficial Full-Day Kindergarten will be to the long term development of our children. We will continue to work closely with the schools to support this major initiative.”

For more detailed information regarding the Before and After School Program at your child’s school, please visit the Extended Day Programming webpage.

Please view our Welcome to Kindergarten letter to parents.

A) OVERVIEW

What is the Full-Day Kindergarten Program?
The Full-Day Kindergarten Program is a Ministry of Education provincial initiative that offers children ages 4 & 5 years, an enriched learning environment designed to help them develop socially, emotionally, academically and physically. This positive learning
environment is provided by a certified Teacher and an Early Childhood Educator together.

Ontario began phasing in the Full-Day Kindergarten Program in September 2010 with full implementation in all schools by September 2015.

What schools will offer the Full-Day Kindergarten Program?
 
Phase 1 (2010-2011)

1. Blenheim District PS – Drumbo
2. Caradoc PS – Mt. Brydges
3. Caradoc North PS – Strathroy
4. Cleardale PS – London
5. Delaware Central PS – Delaware
6. East Oxford Central PS - Woodstock
7. Evelyn Harrison PS – London
8. John Wise PS – St. Thomas
9. Lambeth PS – London
10. Lord Nelson PS – London
11. Northridge PS - London
12. Plattsville & District PS - Plattsville
13. Port Stanley PS – Port Stanley
14. Stoneybrook PS – London
15. Stoney Creek PS – London
16. Valleyview Central PS – Ilderton
17. West Nissouri PS - Thorndale
18. Wilberforce PS – Lucan
19. Zorra Highland Park PS – Embro

1. Aberdeen PS - London
2. Harrisfield PS - Ingersoll
   
3. River Heights PS - Dorchester
4. Springbank PS - Woodstock
5. Winchester Street PS - Woodstock
   
6. Woodland Heights PS - London

1. Arthur Stringer Public School - London
   
2. Bishop Townshend Public School - London
   
3. Byron Southwood Public School - London
   
4. Central Public School - Woodstock
   
5. Chippewa Public School - London
   
6. Clara Brenton Public School - London
7. Ealing Public School - London
   
8. East Williams Memorial Public School - Ailsa Craig
9. Eastdale Public School - Woodstock
   
10. Elgin Court Public School - St. Thomas
    
11. Emily Carr Public School - London
    
12. Franklin D Roosevelt Public School - London
13. Forest Park Public School - St. Thomas
    
14. Glen Cairn Public School - London
    
15. Innerkip Central School - Innerkip
16. June Rose Callwood PS - St. Thomas
    
17. Knollwood Park Public School - London
18. Laurie Hawkins PS - Ingersoll
    
19. Lockes Public School - St. Thomas
    
20. McGillivray Central School - Ailsa Craig
    
21. Mountsfield Public School - London
    
22. Nicholas Wilson Public School - London
    
23. Oxbow Public School - Ilderton
    
24. Royal Roads PS - Ingersoll
    
25. Riverside Public School - London
    
26. Sir Georges Etienne Cartier Public School - London
27. St. Georges Public School - London
    
28. Summers' Corners Public School - Aylmer
    
29. Tecumseh Public School - London
    
30. Thamesford Public School - Thamesford
    
31. Trafalgar Public School - London
    
32. Tweedsmuir Public School - London
    
33. Victoria Public School - London
    
34. Westminster Central Public School - London
    
35. Westmount Public School - London
    
36. Wortley Road Public School - London
    

1. Aldborough Public School - Rodney
2. C.C. Carrothers Public School - London
3. Dunwich-Dutton Public School - Dutton
4. Ekcoe Central Public School - Glencoe
5. Emily Stowe Public School - Norwich
   
6. Fairmont Public School - London
7. Hickson Central Public School - Hickson
8. Hillcrest Public School - London
9. John P. Robarts Public School - London
10. Lord Elgin Public School - London
11. Maple Lane Public School - Tillsonburg
12. McGregor Public School - Aylmer
13. Mosa Central Public School - Glencoe
14. New Sarum Public School - St. Thomas
15. Northdale Public School - Woodstock
16. Oliver Stephens Public School - Woodstock
17. Orchard Park Public School - London
18. Parkhill-West Williams School - Parkhill
19. Port Burwell Public School - Port Burwell
20. Prince Charles Public School - London
21. Sherwood Forest Public School - London
22. Sir Isaac Brock Public School - London
23. Sir John A Macdonald Public School - London
24. South Dorchester Public School - Dorchester
25. Southwold Public School - St. Thomas
26. Sparta Public School - Sparta
27. Springfield Public School - Springfield
28. Straffordville Public School - Straffordville
29. Tavistock Public School - Tavistock
30. University Heights Public School - London
31. W. Sherwood Fox Public School - London
32. White Oaks Public School - London

Phase 5 (2014-2015)
The following schools will be added:

1. A.J. Baker Public School - Kintore
2. Adelaide - W.G. MacDonald Public School - Strathroy
3. Algonquin Public School - Woodstock
4. Arthur Ford Public School - London
5. Ashley Oaks Public School - London
6. Bonaventure Public School - London
7. Byron Northview Public School - London
8. Byron Somerset Public School - London
9. Centennial Central Public School - Arva
10. Colborne Street Public School - Strathroy
11. Eagle Heights Public School - London
12. Huron Heights Public School - London
13. Jack Chambers Public School - London
14. Jeanne Sauvé French Immersion Public School - London
15. John Dearness Public School - London
16. Kensal Park Public School - London
17. Lord Roberts Public School - London
18. Lorne Avenue Public School - London
19. Masonville Public School - London
20. Mitchell Hepburn Public School - St. Thomas
21. "New" Strathroy School
    
22. North Meadows Public School - Strathroy
23. Northbrae Public School - London
24. Parkview Public School - Komoka
25. Pierre Elliott Trudeau French Immersion Public School - St. Thomas
26. Princess Anne French Immersion Public School - London
27. Princess Elizabeth Public School - London
28. Rick Hansen Public School - London
29. Roch Carrier French Immersion Public School - Woodstock
    
30. Rolph Street Public School - Tillsonburg
31. Ryerson Public School - London
32. South Ridge Public School - Tillsonburg
33. Southdale Public School - Strathroy
34. Southside Public School - Woodstock
35. West Oaks Public School - London
36. Wilfrid Jury Public School - London
37. Wilton Grove Public School - London

Why full day Monday to Friday for JK/SK children?
In November 2007, Premier McGuinty appointed Dr. Charles Pascal to recommend the best way forward. Dr. Pascal consulted with many parents and members of the education, child care and municipal sectors about early learning for children and supports for families.

On June 15, 2009, Dr. Pascal presented his report, “With Our Best Future in Mind: Implementing Early Learning in Ontario.” The report contains 20 recommendations on how to introduce full-day learning to Ontario students, how to improve education for children up to 12-years-old and how to increase supports for young families.

On October 27, 2009, Premier McGuinty announced Ontario would move ahead with full-day learning for 4 and 5 year-olds. The program is being introduced in phases to help more students succeed.

On January 12, 2010, Premier McGuinty announced that nearly 600 schools would offer full-day learning in September 2010. Government staff are working closely with school boards, municipalities and child care providers to implement this exciting new initiative.

“This is an area where scientists and economists agree. The evidence is irrefutable, no other program can match the kinds of dividends that early learning delivers.”
Margaret Norrie McCain, Margaret and Wallace McCain Family Foundation

Is it mandatory?
No. The Full-Day Kindergarten Program, like the existing kindergarten program, will remain optional for 4 and 5 year old children. In Ontario kindergarten is voluntary; children are required to attend school once they turn 6 years old by December 31.

When will the The Full-Day Kindergarten Program operate?
The The Full-Day Kindergarten Program will operate every school day. Therefore, the program follows the school year calendar and does not include PD Days or regular school holidays.

B) REGISTRATION

How do I register my child?
If you haven't registered your child for the The Full-Day Kindergarten Program in your school, follow the link Junior and Senior Kindergarten Registration.

My child’s school was not selected to offer the Full-Day Kindergarten Program this school year. Can I send my child to another school where it is offered?
Unfortunately you cannot register your child in the Full-Day Kindergarten Program if you do not live in the school attendance boundary of one of the Full-Day Kindergarten Program schools. To learn more about the attendance boundaries please follow the link to the school boundary maps.

Can I register my child part time?
You may choose to have your child attend only half days. However, it is important to note that the Full-Day Kindergarten Program is designed as a full day program. School staff will work with you and your child to ensure his or her transition to full days every day is as smooth as possible.

C) STAFFING

Who will be supporting my child’s learning?
A certified Teacher and a registered Early Childhood Educator will work together to help the young children learn and grow during the regular school day. These educators will compliment each others’ skills and create a learning environment able to adapt to the unique needs of each child. With 2 qualified educators in the classroom for the full school day, more students will receive individual attention and opportunities to learn together in small groups.

D) PROGRAM

What will my child learn?
The Full-Day Kindergarten Program will better prepare the 4 and 5 year old children for school and for life. This will provide our youngest children with opportunities to socialize with their peers and develop the academic and social skills necessary for school, including laying the foundation for each child’s reading, writing and math skills.

A new program, based largely on existing kindergarten and early learning programs, has been developed for the Full-Day Kindergarten Program. Through instruction and inquiry-based learning, children will develop their capacity in language and mathematics, build a strong foundation for further learning, engage in healthy physical activities and the arts, and develop socially and emotionally through interaction with their peers and the adults who guide them.

We invite you to review the new “Full-Day Early Learning - Kindergarten Program” by clicking on this link www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/kindergarten.html.

It is recognized that these children may need a “rest or quiet time” in the afternoon. We will meet each child’s individual needs.

Will my child’s school offer the Extended Day Program?
The Thames Valley District School Board is pleased to endorse the use of community child care organizations who will operate the Extended Day (before and after school) Program for the 4 and 5 year old children registered in the Full Day Kindergarten Program.

For more detailed information regarding the Extended Day Program at your child’s school, please visit the Extended Day Programming webpage.

OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST RELATED TO THE EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM

How were the schools selected for the 2010/2011 school year?
School boards recommended schools to the Ministry of Education based on the following ministry guidelines:
* Available space - schools that have available classroom space without the need for construction or renovations.
* Community need - TVDSB considered the various needs of all communities we serve using the Social Risk Index.
* Impact on existing child care - take into account local licensed child care. TVDSB and municipalities worked together to assess whether communities will be best served by selecting schools with existing child care programs, schools near existing licensed child care or schools in neighbourhood where no child care is currently available for 4 and 5 year olds.
* Student achievement - identify schools where students would benefit significantly from increased learning opportunities offered by the program.
* Readiness to implement - assess the level of community and school readiness to support implementation.

How were the schools selected for the 2011/2012 school year?
TVDSB submitted their recommended list of phase 2 schools to the Ministry of Education on April 16, 2010 based on the following ministry guidelines:
* Geographical distribution - considering the locations of the first year sites, it was recommended that school boards ensure equitable geographical distribution for phase 2 sites.
* Available classroom space
* If not available classroom space, prioritize schools that require renovations.

How were the schools selected for the 2012/2013 school year?
TVDSB submitted their recommended list of phase 3 schools to the Ministry of Education on November 20, 2010 based on the same ministry guidelines listed for Phase 2.

School boards recommended schools to the Ministry of Education based on the following ministry guidelines:
* Available space - schools that have available classroom space without the need for construction or renovations.
* Community need - TVDSB considered the various needs of all communities we serve using the Social Risk Index.
* Impact on existing child care - take into account local licensed child care. TVDSB and municipalities worked together to assess whether communities will be best served by selecting schools with existing child care programs, schools near existing licensed child care or schools in neighbourhood where no child care is currently available for 4 and 5 year olds.
* Student achievement - identify schools where students would benefit significantly from increased learning opportunities offered by the program.
* Readiness to implement - assess the level of community and school readiness to support implementation.

TVDSB received approval on March 2, 2011 to operate the Full-Day Kindergarten at the 36 additional schools listed above..