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January 11, 2010 at 3:34:05 PM
Kim Fuller
I think that is nor right how can the goverment tell us what to do with our children in regards to school. I have three boys and the ages are 8 5 3, My three year old boy will start school and if I find out that his school is the one to be fulltime everyday he will not be going to school. There are some children that are not ready for full days in school. I believe that some children still take naps and there is no nap time anymore for the young ones in JK and SK. That is allot for children to deal with.


Thanks Kim Fuller and Family

January 11, 2010 at 4:14:33 PM
Aisha
I think this is a great idea!

January 11, 2010 at 4:20:37 PM
Carla
My son is also starting school in September and thinking he may have to attend full day is giving me anxiety. He is still far to small to be spending a full day in school, without naps. We have for years had children attend school for half days until they were the age of 6 and now suddenly the government expects a 4 year old to adjust to a full day...I hope its not my son's school because I may rethink him attending that school as well.

January 11, 2010 at 4:23:38 PM
Basil
If the full day of kindergarten consists of break periods as well as more useful educational periods, then it is well worth it. Kids learn quick at a young age, therefore it is essential to teach them as much as possible, with a little bit of fun of course.

January 11, 2010 at 4:38:49 PM
Jennifer
There are many schools in Durham that already do all day kindergarten, but every other day and that makes it very difficult from a day care perspective. This is a great solution for all those parents who have had difficulty getting the day care they require. Too bad my children are already too old for us to participate in this new initiative. I think it is great!

January 11, 2010 at 4:41:38 PM
DL
It's education and we really shouldn't be bashing this decision. But then again, putting 4 & 5 years old into a full day of school is a bit too much. Whatever happen to happy childhood? Also, what about those stay at home moms/dads? If their child/children are at school full time, what are they going to do? Find a job? Good luck with that when last month it was reported that Ontario didn't produce any new job opportunities.

January 11, 2010 at 4:48:03 PM
Leigh - Oshawa
Before we pass judgement, perhaps we should hear what the programs will entail - How do we know that the full-day kindergarten will not include nap times? If that is our only concern with the program, it seams to me an easy one to rectify.

January 11, 2010 at 4:57:42 PM
raj
Not a bad idea as long as one parent is available to take kids to/from school.Expect parent for above availability as your kids will be going to school 2days/week(Mon/Wed or Tue/Thurs) one week and 3days/week(Mon/wed/Fri or Tues/Thurs/Fri)the second week. How can parent schedule time off for their school? Either be home or work part-time. Premier's idea is to have one parent quit job so premier can make that job available for unemployed.

January 11, 2010 at 5:18:33 PM
DACee
Before people totally freak out, learn more about it. It is being offered and you do not have to place your child in the full day class. The second part of the day is more like nursery school or daycare. Get the facts before you freak. P.s. Chicken Little says look up!!!!!

January 11, 2010 at 5:25:27 PM
Brian
Where did we get the money for this?? Seriously?... Spend crazy Liberal Government.

January 11, 2010 at 6:04:09 PM
Shawn
Although I like the theory of having f/t kindergarden; I feel that we should have put the mmoney into expanding the programs that are already at schools such as sports, music and arts. These help expand the mind increase IQ and confidence. Students have had these programs cancelled. This only works for daycare purposes.

January 11, 2010 at 6:53:09 PM
Tori
I think it's a great idea. This will help children with an early education and ease the child care bills, also provide time for parents to go to work. Whoever is not up for this should have the right not to apply as some kids are not ready for fullday. Since theres limited spots, parents who need this should apply.

Tori

January 11, 2010 at 7:03:10 PM
Webby
Perhaps they can start by teaching some basic arithmetic. How can it take $500 million to start the program on a limited basis in the first year and then cost only $1.5 million per year in 2015 when all 4 and 5 year olds can enroll? I'm looking forward to reading about the further details!

January 11, 2010 at 7:17:14 PM
SusanM
I don't know how old the people who are commenting but when I started school I went to Kindergarten all day I was 5 yrs. old and I also remember taking naps. This is not a new concept and it has been done before. My oldest son went to school for Kindergarten all day everyday until the government decided we needed a JK and a SK and a time schedule that no normal working family could possible keep. People seem to be concerned about Kindergarten how about the later years because the educational system is turning out students who can not spell, write a sentence, punctuate or read. Instead of learning this in the elementary years and secondary years it seems it is falling on the colleges to teach students these concepts.

January 11, 2010 at 7:47:54 PM
Unknow Oshawa
I agree with some of the comments with regards to giving this program a chance. My spouse and I are both have full time jobs and I think it will cut the cost of daycare in half. My children are both 5 and 2 and they dont take naps, and if they did my nights would be until 11 each night. It also gives some of these parents who do sit home all day to go out and look for a job instead of using their children as an excuse. I know some people may think that this is harsh, but there is alot of people sitting on assistance and say they cant work because of their children,might even put a decrease on people on the system!

January 11, 2010 at 8:06:39 PM
Nicole
My son already goes to a school that has this program and he only does a half day he is too ornery with no nap. It is a long day kids fall asleep after awhile. I tried the fll day for a week and my son fell asleep when we got home or in the car before dinner. and the every other day classes are different hard for the child to get familiar with...I think everyday half day was better with nap time years ago.

January 11, 2010 at 8:15:21 PM
Timothy Steen
Plane and simple, it should be a "Parents Choice" not the government! I work night shift to be with my boys during the day, for my 4 year old in JK we love our half days together. If he was in full days I would need a sitter to help out. Will Mcginty pay for that? No thanks half days for my 2 year old when he is ready.

January 11, 2010 at 8:44:24 PM
Eve- Kitchener
This is how I see it:
I can let my child go to full-time school, where she can learn and play with kids her own age, or I can keep her home because I dont think shes "ready", which as much as I would like to do seems a little selfish.
How can I say she isnt "ready" when she hasnt been? How do I not know that she wont love it, and have a great time if I dont let her try?
I agree that children learn alot in their early years. I also think that with the right teacher a child will florish into an independant "big kid" whose self esteem will fly high from all that school can bring.
As much as I would like my baby to stay my baby, I think I will swallow my anxieties and let her try before I say she isnt ready....because how do I know?

January 11, 2010 at 8:59:26 PM
Kevin in Taxoronto
I'm all for additional education, but I have to question the value of full day schooling at this age. Would the money not be better spent on productive people who will get an almost immediate benefit and pay back the government through taxes? I can think of a lot of under-employed Ontarians who would love the chance to upgrade their skills and contribute more to society. This just seems backwards to me.

January 11, 2010 at 9:04:40 PM
Mike P.
Ok a couple of quick questions:
1) Why is priority only given to 'low-income' households, in this day and age even middle-class families are struggling...
2) Why so many grammatical errors in these posts? Maybe our kids in this program will alleviate this.
I am not upper class by any means but I cannot afford day-care, I do not own a home, so, if I live in Regent Park I'm 'assisted' but if I live in the so-called 'affluent' areas I am exempt of this program. Wake up McGuinty it's not just the so-called lower class struggling, we all are. I'll be happy to see you go, and I'm as Liberal as it gets.

January 11, 2010 at 9:16:31 PM
Dave
<< The estimated cost at that point will be $1.5 million per year.>>
Better check that number – it is $1.5 billion, not million! We are going to have to pay for this one day soon, along with the massive deficits this government is accumulating.

January 11, 2010 at 10:26:21 PM
Jennifer Tobin
The full time kindergarten will NOT be run like a day care. In pilot schools, it has been run as a full day of school. This is why there is a teacher in the classroom the full day- to teach. An ECE is there for support. There is a quiet/nap time to give the kids a break/rest. Pascal's report recommended half day school and half day daycare which is what we have (or as alternating days of school/day care). McGuinty promised in his election for full time school and that is what we are getting.

My husband is from the UK and they have had full time school for four year olds for decades. By the time they are six, they have an extra full year of schooling over their Canadian counterparts.

January 11, 2010 at 11:06:17 PM
Debra - Oakville
I understand the concerns about a full day kindergarten being too much for 4 and 5 year olds. However, how many of these 4 and 5 year olds are already in full time daycare. Personally if I were working full time, I would want my daughters in a full day school program and not just for the cost saving. If the Liberals can roll out a well planned and thought out full day Kindergarten curriculum, it will offer everyone a high quality school program rather than just the lucky ones who have their children in good daycares/preschools.

January 12, 2010 at 1:12:17 AM
Alpha-Male
I'm a 36 year old single male. I have no use for a program like this and am sick and tired of paying higher taxes for social programs. Lieberals & NDP, keep you hands out of my pockets!!!

January 12, 2010 at 3:33:49 AM
Jason
As a parent living in a rural community, I think that this is a great idea. Both my wife and I work 50km from home, so having our children in one place all day is much safer in my mind than worrying about a sitter or daycare having to transport our children to another location until my wife or I can pick them up after work. This system has worked great in Europe for many years. No sense bashing it if you don't truly understand how it works.

January 12, 2010 at 6:11:10 AM
DON
Mcguinty sure know how to waste tax payer money.if the kids grow up as smart as him this country is in more trouble then it is right now.

January 12, 2010 at 7:23:21 AM
jodaycare
Remember that your child does not have to legally attend school until the age of 6 and even then you can choose to home school them. As an ECE, running a home daycare, I see this as a great thing. I think the current system of 2 and a half hours (in some areas) is a complete waste of time and hard for parents and daycare providers to schedule around. What is the difference between your child being in a daycare kindergarten program from 7-6 and being in a school setting for possibly the same length of time if you so choose? I totally agree with the other people, wait until you get all of the information before you make a judgment. As an ECE, I think it is wonderful that someone is finally realizing how valuable my profession is and is putting us in a position to teach in a school setting. This is something I have been waiting for my entire career.

January 12, 2010 at 7:52:33 AM
Patricia Nagy
Before my son started Grade 1 I had to put him in a Montessori school for most of the day. They would bus him over to his Catholic school for the Kindergarted program and then pick him up again. He basically got 2 educational programs - 2 1/2hours in the Catholic school and 8 hours at the Montessori school. He did not take naps but he didn't need them at this age anyway. And truly I don't know many 4 & 5 year olds that still take naps during the day.
I am so glad that he was in school all day. Firstly I work full time, so I really had no choice, but secondly he has learned so much. Now that he's in grade 1 he is doing wonderful getting A's and B's. His reading skill is at a level 7 out of 11, which I am told by his teacher is just awesome for grade 1, as usually kids that age rank around 4. I am all for full day kindergarted. It's about time! As long as they get the play time indoors and outdoors throughout the day, they should do just fine in a full day program.

January 12, 2010 at 8:19:09 AM
Deekin
Parents at home should be teaching their children the pre-when they are that age, not the school system.

This is nothing more than a babysitter service disguised as education, at the tax payer's expense. Parents of today do not want to accept responsibility of raising their own. Instead, fluff the kids off on someone else and make others pay for it. (yes I raised 2 and both worked, we spend evening and weekends playing, teaching and used daycare during the week)

Guess we need to be hit with the HST to help pay for this. Bring it on.

January 12, 2010 at 8:26:49 AM
Cindy
When I went to kindergarten it was a full day. I don't remember having a problem with it, and my mother said I enjoyed it very much. I think it is a good idea for low income parents (or because of what is going on in the economy as of recent most parents with low to higher income) who have to work long hours to support themselves and their children. Personally, I'd rather have my child in school all day, learning, and also I'm sure taking a few naps, then leaving him/her with a babysitter or daycare. At least in school they are learning productive skills and education all day instead of doing whatever at the daycare / with the babysitter like watching television.

January 12, 2010 at 8:37:04 AM
Robin
Its about time there was full time school for JK and SK. My daughter goes to a french school and it was full time for both jk and sk. She loves it and thrives in school. For all those complaining about it, keep you kids home then! Have you not sent your child to daycare all day? Its the same thing. For the rest of us, especially single mothers who have to worry about daycare costs for the rest of day when your child is not in school, its a great thing.

January 12, 2010 at 8:38:10 AM
Rob
If done right it should be great for the kids, the parents and society as a whole. I have 3 kids aged 19, 16 and 6. My 6 year old just started all day school and he loves it. The kids' social skills are enhanced by the increased interaction. Stay at home parents (mostly mothers) may have a problem with this because of self-interest. Ask any mother who's child is about to start all day school if they are worried and they will all say yes regardless of the age. Should be good for the kids.

January 12, 2010 at 8:53:29 AM
Cris
My daughter is 5 and started attending full day SK this year. This was the best thing that could have happened it will save me over $10,000.00 in daycare this year. And contrary to what everyone is saying they do take a nap, maybe not as long as they would at daycare or home, but they rest and have quiet activities during the day. It is not as if they were in grade one. I feel this is a great thing the government is doing. Especially for those who do not have access to subsidised daycare. They should have started this years ago.

January 12, 2010 at 9:31:43 AM
Tim
People relax this is optional at this point. what you should be concerned about is the amount of job loss this is going to create. think about this for a minute, full time employee's have their children in daycare to compensate for the times they are out of school, now enter full time Kindergarten and where do all the daycares go? better yet the Ontario government hands out a monthly sum to parents of children 7 and under to assist with daycare costs I guess this is as good as gone with those daycares the government will be putting out of business. but hey at least the money they save from cutting off the monthly suppliment will go to a good cause. EI for the daycare workers.

January 12, 2010 at 9:32:29 AM
Paul
Great idea. This will not only help families who need a full day care for their children (and save them money on daycare) but also further educate children at a critical age. This is fantastic. Let's be real here how can free/extended education be a bad thing? I rather our tax money go to programs like this which in the long term will save everyone money.

January 12, 2010 at 10:08:43 AM
Jamie
It is a wonderful idea. First to those parents worried that your children won't be ready because it is too long. The plan is there will be breaks for resting/napping if needed. My children went to daycare for full days where there was a program of learning and they have not been damaged because of it because it was too much. Stop holding on and wishing your children were not growing up. There a lots of private schools that offer full day JK and SK programs and those children do very well. Relax and enjoy that your child will completely amaze you by what they learn. Also JK and SK is not what it was when we were children. It is not just socialization but LEARNING! Who doesn't want their children to learn. My youngest daughter is almost 3 and I really hope that full day is offered by the time she is in JK....she will be completely ready for it....I will encourage her to be...that is what a parent should be doing. Not holding their children back!

January 12, 2010 at 10:12:47 AM
Judy P.
I think Kindergarten kids being in school full days is great. My youngest is now 7yrs. I wish this was done sooner. In grade 1, there are more expectations. Reading is one of them. Parents need to support this and encourage their children in school. There is nothing wrong with giving kids that extra postive push no matter what age they are. It is about time the Government spends some money on our children's education. Now, that's money well spent!