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For The Record

PROVINCE PLACES EMPHASIS ON EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS

Sept. 21, 2009
Ministry of Education
 

Letters to the Editor

VICTORIA – Early learning is vital to life-long success and provides a foundation on which to build individual, social, and economic well being. B.C.’s Boards of Education have an expanded mandate that includes early learning.

  • One out of four B.C. kindergarten students starts school vulnerable in terms of development and learning.

StrongStart BC:

  • StrongStart BC is a free, drop-in early learning program for preschool-age children accompanied by a parent or caregiver.
  • Qualified early childhood educators lead learning activities, including stories, music and art, to help children get ready for success in kindergarten.
  • Parents and caregivers attending StrongStart BC centres can expect to participate in organized sessions like story time, play activities, and serving a healthy snack.
  • To help preschool-age children be prepared for success in school, this government is investing $43 million to expand the StrongStart BC program.
  • In 2007-08, there were over 91,000 visits by children to StrongStart BC centres across the province. In 2008-2009 this increased to over 278,000 visits with more than 14,900 children participating.
  • Currently there are more than 200 StrongStart BC programs in operation, with further expansion planned in 2009-10.

Ready Set Learn:

  • StrongStart BC centres build on the success of Ready, Set, Learn, a kindergarten readiness program.
  • Over the last five years, the Province has provided almost $15 million to operate Ready, Set, Learn.
  • Ready, Set, Learn is in its sixth year supporting school readiness events for three-year-olds and their families.
  • In 2009-10, over 1,100 public schools are registered to participate in Ready, Set, Learn.

Full-Day Kindergarten:

  • Government recognizes the importance of investing in a child’s early years to support his or her life-long success.
  • That's why the Early Childhood Learning Agency was asked to explore the feasibility of full day kindergarten for five-year-olds and consider future voluntary full-day programs for four-year-olds and three-year-olds.
  • Moving forward, we will continue to focus on early learning and early childhood development in an effort to improve learning outcomes.
  • Government has committed to begin delivering voluntary full day kindergarten for 5-year-olds starting in September 2010 to ensure that our youngest learners get the best possible start in life. This delivery will be phased in and will include additional funding of $44 million in 2010/11 and $107 million in 2011-12.
  • We have already begun work needed to support future implementation, such as facilities planning, program standards and human resources strategy for Early Childhood Educators.
  • We are in the early planning stages of how full day kindergarten will be rolled out including consultations with kindergarten teachers and experts in the field.
  • Currently, the Province funds full-day kindergarten for Aboriginal, English-as-a-Second Language and some students with special needs.
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Letters to the Editor

July 29, 2008
Letter to the Editor
FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN UNDER CONSIDERATION
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education
Submitted: Nanaimo Daily News
Status: Not Published
Re: Editorial dealing with full-day kindergarten
I'd like to set the record straight regarding a recent opinion/editorial that appeared in your publication dealing with full-day kindergarten. [Read More]

July 25, 2008
Letter to the Editor
KINDERGARTEN CLARIFICATION
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education
Submitted: Smithers Interior News
Status: Published July 30, 2008
Re: Facts regarding government's feasibility study on full-day kindergarten
I'd like to take this opportunity to clarify the facts regarding our government's feasibility study on full-day kindergarten. [Read More]

July 21, 2008
Letter to the Editor
GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS FULL-TIME KINDERGARTEN
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education
Submitted: The Province
Status: Published July 23, 2008
Re: Editorial regarding government's feasibility study on full-day kindergarten
I'd like to challenge some of the assumptions made in a recent editorial regarding our government's feasibility study on full-day kindergarten. First, let me reiterate that we are studying the potential of full-day kindergarten and that the voices of British Columbians will be heard before any decisions are made. And increasing choice, not restricting it, is this government's first priority. [Read More]

July 15, 2008
Letter to the Editor
GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS FULL-TIME KINDERGARTEN
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education
Submitted: Kelowna Daily Courier
Status: Not Published
Re: Opinion-editorial regarding government's feasibility study on full-day kindergarten.
I'd like to challenge a recent opinion-editorial by the Canadian Taxpayers' Federation regarding our government's feasibility study on full-day kindergarten. First, let me reiterate that we are studying the potential of full-day kindergarten and that the voices of British Columbians will be heard before any decisions are made. And increasing choice, not restricting it, is this government's first priority. [Read More]

July 4, 2008
Letter to the Editor
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education
Submitted: Nanaimo Daily News
Status: Not Published
Re: Conclusions reached in column regarding Ministry's feasibility study into optional full-day kindergarten
I would like to challenge some of the conclusions reached in a recent column regarding the Ministry’s feasibility study into optional full-day kindergarten for our youngest learners ("Three-year-old children don’t need to be in school," page A4, July 4). [Read More]