Upper Grand trustees determine that Extended Day Programs will not be offered beginning in September 2010
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
July 8, 2010
GUELPH, Ontario — Due to the lack of interest expressed by of parents of children who will be entering Junior and Senior Kindergarten and Grades 1 and 2 in September, the Extended Day Program component (before and/or after school child care) of Full Day Kindergarten will not be offered at the 13 identified elementary schools this fall.
At the original time of registration (February) parents of new Kindergarten students were surveyed to see if they wished to enroll their children in the program. Unfortunately, the board had no estimate of the fees that would be charged and there was little interest expressed by parents.
It was not until mid-June that the Ministry provided information on how to calculate the fees. Boards were then expected to re-survey parents, including those of children entering grades 1 and 2, to determine the program’s viability.
Fees were set at $27 per day ($10 for before school care and $17 for after school care), and this information was included in the second parent survey. Parents were also told that an enrolment of at least 20 children was required to support the two-staff model (one dedicated Early Childhood Educator and one assistant) planned for the programs.
Even with opening the program to children in grades 1 and 2 providing they did not exceed 25% of total enrolment, there was a lack of interest and the board determined that the program would not run.
Parents will be surveyed again in the new school year to assess future viability of Extended Day programs.
The 13 schools that will offer Full Day Kindergarten program are: Arthur, Brant Avenue, Drayton Heights, Erin, Gateway Drive, John Black, Laurelwoods, Minto-Clifford, Princess Margaret, Priory Park, Victoria Cross, and Willow Road.
For more information: Maggie McFadzen, Communications Officer, 519-822-4420, ext. 725
[email protected]
Categories: Media Releases