October 27 – Ontario will start phasing in full-day learning for four- and five-year-olds next fall as part of the province's plan to build a well-educated workforce.
Up to 35,000 kindergarten students across Ontario will be enrolled in full-day learning in September, 2010. The goal is to have the program for four- and five-year-olds fully implemented in all schools by 2015-16.
Four- and five-year-olds will learn under the guidance of a teacher and an early childhood educator. Parents may also enrol their child for extended hours for a reasonable fee, before and after regular school hours. This will make it easier for parents to get to and from work and will ensure their children have an integrated learning program for the whole day.
This is part of the government's ongoing plan to strengthen education that began with smaller class sizes, higher test scores, an improved graduation rate and Reaching Higher. Building the skills and education of Ontario's workforce is a key part of the government's plan to create a stronger economy.