Get ready for all-day kindergarten!

As kindergarten registration begins for four- and five-year-olds, parents are encouraged to stick with their own home school.
With only 15 per cent of kindergarten classes to receive all-day everyday programming, only 45 in the Durham District School Board and 13 for the Durham Catholic District School Board are expected to receive the early learning initiative. Parents and students lucky enough to be at a location chosen for the program should take full advantage, said Catholic superintendent Chris Hurst.

“I would say you’re looking a gift horse in the mouth if you don’t,” Mr. Hurst said, citing the learning benefits associated.

The schools receiving all-day everyday programs for four and five year olds were announced mid-January. Parents are asked to kindergarten registration starts Jan. 12 for Durham’s public board and around the third week of January for the Catholic board.

In the meantime, parents should register for school as they would regularly do, said Lisa Millar, a Durham District School Board superintendent.
“Because the reality is, there are only 45 classes and that’s not 45 schools,” Ms. Millar said.

The sites chosen for the early learning program are based on Ministry criteria, which includes availability of space at a school, limited impact on existing childcare, areas with lower student achievement assessment scores, and neighbourhoods with a higher social risk index, Ms. Millar said.
“So it was not difficult to chose for us,” Ms. Millar said.

Depending on demand, the schools picked for the early learning pilot program will offer an optional extended day program for a nominal, cost recovery fee.

By 2015, all-day everyday kindergarten is intended to be in all schools.

Mr. Hurst encouraged parents not to shy away from the all-day program.

Research shows its benefits, as does a pilot program already launched by the Catholic board at Monsignor Philip Coffey Catholic school in Oshawa, he said. They know that if kids don’t establish their academics by Grade 2, there are serious disadvantages to make up for.

“The early learning years are key years for establishing good patterns for learning,” Mr. Hurst said.

Kids do have the ability to do the all-day routine, and if they do get tired, they’re allowed to nap, he added. He thinks parents traditionally worry about naps, especially if their children aren’t already in day care, he said.

“But kids establish routines fairly quickly.”

Regardless of which kindergarten program is offered at a school, he suggested sticking to your home and parish community so kids go to school with their friends and neighbours, and the area really becomes their community.

Parents can preregister for the program over the phone.

When they do, the secretary will set up meetings with the parents and children from there, Mr. Hurst said.

Generally, they’ll be asked to bring in the child’s birth certificate, proof of residence, immunizations, fill out forms, meet administration teams, and answer standard questions such as name, birthday, allergies, emergency contacts, and permission for pictures.

Afterwards, they can participate in welcome to kindergarten programs, orientation nights, meetings with teachers, and other opportunities, Ms. Millar said.
Those with any questions about the process can contact their school board or home school.