Since taking office, the McGuinty government has worked hard to build a stronger Ontario today, and for the future.
But for Ontario to enjoy a strong future, we need to start doing the groundwork today. We need to start creating a well-educated and well-trained workforce to propel a strong, growing Ontario economy in the future.
On February 17th, our government made an important step forward to ensuring that future. We introduced the Full-Day Early Learning Statute Law Amendment Act, 2010. The Act would, if passed, mandate that all school boards offer full-day learning for four- and five-year-olds, including the integrated extended day programs, before and after school.
The before- and after-school program is optional and parents would pay a reasonable fee if they enrol their child. Subject to legislative approval, school boards will set and collect fees, and subsidies will be available to some families based on need.
This innovative new program will build on the strong kindergarten programs already in place across the province. Schools and boards that currently offer their own full-day kindergarten program will continue to do so and will eventually align with the provincial program.
The idea behind the full-day learning program is to give our youngest students a stronger start to their education, while supporting our plan to create a stronger, well-educated work force.
Starting in September of 2010, up to 35,000 children in nearly 600 schools are expected to participate in the first phase of the provincial full-day learning program. The program will be phased in over time, with a goal of having it available in all elementary schools by 2015-16.
Here in York Centre, full-day learning programs will be launched this fall at Ancaster Public School, Summit Heights Public School and St. Martha catholic School.
They will become among the first schools in North America to offer full-day learning to four- and five-year-olds.
By giving our kids a full-day early learning program, we’re setting them on the road to success and building a stronger Ontario for us all.
This is just one part of our government’s ongoing plan to strengthen education that began with smaller class sizes, higher test scores, an improved graduation rate and Reaching Higher.
For more information on our government’s investment in education, contact my Constituency Office at 416-630-0080.