Education and Early Childhood Development
January 15, 2016
Investing in Priority Early Learning Programs
Preparation Continues for Full-Day Kindergarten
Work continues to progress on the infrastructure, resources and professional learning required to support the implementation of full-day Kindergarten in Newfoundland and Labrador in September 2016. An update was provided today at one of the four demonstration classrooms being used for professional learning across the province.
“I want to assure parents the implementation of full-day Kindergarten is a priority for this government and we will be ready for September 2016. Full-day Kindergarten is an essential part of a child’s early learning and development. Research supports the many benefits of this programming including stronger academic outcomes, reading skills and better social and emotional development. This is a long-term investment in students and Newfoundland and Labrador.”
- The Honourable Dale Kirby, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development
Infrastructure upgrades, professional learning plans and the purchasing of additional classroom and teacher resources are well underway. Highlights include:
- Full-day Kindergarten will be offered in 190 schools across the province;
- Over 140 new teachers will be added to the system to facilitate implementation;
- Sixteen schools required additional space: four schools needed an extension and 12 schools required modular classrooms;
- Approximately 100 renovations are required to meet infrastructure needs;
- Eight schools are expected to utilize team teaching as a temporary measure, with an additional eight schools that may require it depending on final enrollment in September; and
- The full-day Kindergarten program will be play-based, using the existing Completely Kindergarten curriculum that was developed with full-day Kindergarten in mind.
Please see the backgrounder for additional information.
“The Board of Trustees supports the introduction of full-day Kindergarten as a positive initiative for our students that will strengthen our public education system. Tremendous work is being undertaken by our teachers and school staff and I commend the employees of the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District and the Provincial Government who are diligently working to ready our school spaces and educators for the arrival of the first class of full-day Kindergarten students.”
- Milton Peach, Chair, Newfoundland and Labrador English School Board
Over $30 million has been allocated over three years to prepare for implementation of full-day Kindergarten. There is an annual cost of $13.3 million required for additional teachers and programming requirements. The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is committed to fostering care and learning in safe and inclusive environments that enable students to reach their full potential.
QUICK FACTS
- There will be 190 schools in Newfoundland and Labrador offering full-day Kindergarten in September 2016. This includes schools in the Francophone school system.
- Over $30 million has been allocated over three years to prepare for the implementation of full-day Kindergarten with an annual cost of $13.3 million for additional teachers and programming requirements.
- Over 140 new teachers will be added to the system to facilitate implementation.
- Sixteen schools required additional space and approximately 100 renovations are required. Eight schools are expected to utilize team teaching as a temporary measure, and an additional eight school may require it depending on final enrollment in September.
- Studies show that full-day Kindergarten supports stronger academic outcomes and reading skills, better social and emotional development as well as positive self-esteem and independence.
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Media contacts:
| Blair Medd Director of Communications Department of Education and Early Childhood Development 709-729-0048, 631-8465 blairmedd@gov.nl.ca |
Ken Morrissey Director of Communications Newfoundland and Labrador English School District 709-758-2371, 730-0798 kenmorrissey@nlesd.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
Full-Day Kindergarten Curriculum
Completely Kindergarten
The full-day Kindergarten program will be play-based, using the existing Completely Kindergarten curriculum that was developed with full-day Kindergarten in mind.
Completely Kindergarten is a curriculum guide designed specifically for Kindergarten teachers. The content includes specific information about the Kindergarten learner and suggestions for teachers on designing play-based learning areas in the Kindergarten classroom through free and structured play.
Overall Classroom Design
A well-designed, play-based classroom is like having another teacher in the room. The environment is also a teacher.
Materials in the room are purposeful and are continually changing to meet children’s interests and the learning outcomes. Learning areas are designed to encourage exploration through play and support specific Kindergarten learning outcomes. Examples include:
- A group meeting area that supports children’s sharing, planning, and reflection;
- A math and science area that utilizes blocks to support numeracy skills, problem-solving and scientific concepts;
- A writing area that supports literacy skills such as print exploration, creativity and writing development; and
- A dramatic play area that supports the development of social and language skills through imaginary play.
Play-based learning materials stimulate a child’s natural curiosity and support choice in their learning activities. Children can approach the materials in ways that are appropriate to their needs, interests and skill levels.
Free Play and Structured Play
The Kindergarten classroom has blocks of time for sustained play with areas for free and structured play. Free play is extended time for pretend play that is mostly child-initiated. Children choose the learning area that interests them and move freely from area to area. A well-equipped Kindergarten classroom includes a wide range of play materials within each area. Structured play involves teacher-directed, planned activities to engage in learning a specific concept.
Considerations for French Immersion
Play-based learning in French Immersion looks quite similar to play-based learning in an English classroom with the obvious difference in the language of instruction. Play is still very important.
There are more teacher-directed activities, especially early in the school year, for developing a language base in French. Second language learning strategies such as songs, poems, stories, drama, games, and routines with repetitive language are also used to introduce and model vocabulary and language structures.
Students with Special Needs
Play-based environments are very inclusive. The physical areas are flexible depending on the needs of the children in any given class.
Demonstration Classroom
There are four demonstration classrooms located throughout the province in St. John’s, Gander, Corner Brook and Happy Valley-Goose Bay. These classrooms are designed to deliver professional learning for new Kindergarten teachers and to assist current Kindergarten teachers in applying their teaching strategies to a full day of learning.
Infrastructure Update for Full-Day Kindergarten
The implementation of full-day Kindergarten required a full assessment of infrastructure needs throughout the province. Through this process, approximately 100 schools required renovations, four schools needed extensions and 12 schools required modular classrooms in preparation for full-day Kindergarten.
Schools Receiving Extensions
| Schools (4) | Community |
| Carbonear Academy | Carbonear |
| Mary Queen of Peace Elementary | St. John’s |
| St. Francis of Assisi Elementary | Logy Bay/Middle Cove/Outer Cove |
| Pasadena Elementary School | Pasadena |
Schools Receiving Modular Classrooms
| Schools (12) | Community |
| Cape St. Francis Elementary | Pouch Cove |
| C. C. Loughlin Elementary | Corner Brook |
| Centreville Academy | Centreville-Wareham |
| Coley’s Point Primary | Coley’s Point |
| Gander Academy | Gander |
| Holy Cross Elementary | Holyrood |
| J.J. Curling Elementary | Corner Brook |
| Riverside Elementary | Shoal Harbour |
| St. Bernard’s Elementary | Witless Bay |
| St. Edward’s Elementary | Conception Bay South (Kelligrews) |
| St. George’s Elementary | Conception Bay South (Manuels) |
| St. Peter’s Primary | Mount Pearl |
Team Teaching
Team teaching is a teaching model which assigns two fully-qualified teachers to a classroom, where necessary, to ensure pupil-teacher ratios are in accordance with class size caps. It is a short-term solution required to implement full-day Kindergarten in 2016.
In such cases the maximum student to teacher ratio would be in the 14:1 range – or two teachers for a maximum 28 students. As Kindergarten enrollment is finalized for the coming school year, schools requiring team teaching may change.
Schools Expected to Utilize Team Teaching
| Schools (8) | Community |
| Beachy Cove Elementary | Portugal Cove-St. Phillip’s |
| Coley’s Point Primary | Coley’s Point |
| Gander Academy | Gander |
| Humber Elementary | Corner Brook |
| Larkhall Academy | St. John’s |
| McDonald Drive Elementary | St. John’s |
| St. Edward’s Elementary | Conception Bay South (Kelligrews) |
| St. Peter’s Primary | Mount Pearl |
Schools that May Require Team Teaching Depending on Final Enrollment in September
| Schools (8) | Community |
| Cape St. Francis Elementary | Pouch Cove |
| C. C. Loughlin Elementary | Corner Brook |
| Cowan Heights Elementary | St. John’s |
| St. Bernard’s Elementary | Witless Bay |
| St. Mary’s Elementary | St. John’s |
| Stephenville Primary | Stephenville |
| Vanier Elementary | St. John’s |
| White Hills Academy | St. Anthony |
2016 01 15 11:10 a.m.