Full-day kindergarten is designed to give your child a stronger start in school and in life – by providing four- and five-year-olds with an engaging, inquiry and play-based learning program during the regular school day. Children are involved in a variety of learning opportunities to help them investigate, problem solve and collaborate, under the guidance of an educator team that includes a teacher and, where applicable*, an ECE.
The teacher and ECE are guided by a new curriculum, the 2016 Kindergarten Program document, which is based on the most up-to-date information about child development and how children learn best.
We know that through play-based learning and a culture of inquiry, children develop a strong foundation for learning in all areas. This includes:
- problem solving and creative thinking;
- thinking critically about ideas and information in literacy and math;
- learning to think for themselves, understanding their feelings and those around them, recognizing and respecting differences in others, and assessing the consequences of their actions;
- understanding their connections, contributions and relationships with others as part of a group, a community, and the natural world;
- developing socially and emotionally through their relationships with other children and the educators who guide them; and
- developing as a citizen, through a sense of personal connectedness to various communities, like their class, their grade and their school.
Through informal meetings, parent conferences or written communication of learning reports, parents will receive regular updates on their child's learning.
Information for Parents
For more information about full-day kindergarten and tips to support your child's learning at home, read our parent guides:
- Overview of Full-Day Kindergarten (PDF, 386 KB)
- Play-Based Learning in Full-Day Kindergarten (PDF, 306 KB)
- Literacy and Mathematics in Full-Day Kindergarten (PDF, 357 KB)
- Understanding Your Child's Kindergarten Reports