Full-day kindergarten is currently offered in 22 schools in the Avon Maitland region, with 9 more schools offering it starting in 2014. Research shows that children in full-day programs have better academic performance and social skills when entering grade 1. Kindergarten classrooms aim to provide a home-like environment that supports play-based, inquiry learning through open-ended materials. Educators facilitate learning through engaging in play with children, asking questions, and documenting the children's investigations and skills. The program also focuses on developing children's self-regulation and communication skills through peer interaction and making their own choices. Parents are encouraged to be involved through volunteering in the classroom and staying informed about their child's learning.

1. Full-Day Kindergarten
in Avon Maitland

2. Status in Avon Maitland
• 22 Current Schools – Clinton, Downie, Howick,
Romeo, Milverton, Bluewater Coast,
Goderich, Avon, Hamlet, Seaforth,
Little Falls, Maitland River, Brookside, Central
Perth, Elma, Exeter, Hullett, Huron Centennial
North Woods, Shakespeare, Sprucedale,
Stephen Central
• 9 Upcoming Schools in 2014 - Anne Hathaway,
Bedford, Listowel Central, Listowel Eastdale,
Mornington, North Easthope, South Perth, Upper
Thames, Wallace

3. "Children who attend full day learning
programs have improved academic
performance and social success when
they enter grade one".
With Our Best Future in Mind, 2009

4. •Young children are competent and capable.
•Educator teams are responsive co-learners with
children.
• Educators have a comprehensive understanding
of play-based learning.
The mind-sets that are
foundational to our work:

5. The Physical Environment
• Home like environment to
ease transitions from school
to home
• Natural objects & products
• Removing commercial
products, replacing
with student work
and documentation

6. Classroom Environment
Kindergarten classrooms are thoughtfully
organized, and have rich, open-ended
materials. This supports the ability of
children to communicate their ideas in
many ways.

7. Classroom materials
invite engagement,
meaning-making, and
exploration.

8. Play is a means to early learning that
capitalizes on children’s natural
curiosity and exuberance.

9. Role of the Educator
• Intentionally set the environment
• Engage in play
• Ask high order questions
• Connect the investigations to the inquiry
process
• Co-construct the learning of literacy and
numeracy skills and behaviours
• Document and communicate the learning

10. Play-Based and Inquiry Learning

11. It provides opportunities for learning
in a context in which children are at
their most receptive.

12. Supporting Curiosity and
Investigation

13. Self-Regulation

14. Emotional self-regulation
Children Demonstrate:
• when they are able to
control aggression and
when they are aware of and
are able to show empathy
for others.
• use their words instead of
their hands to send a

15. Social self-regulation
Children Demonstrate:
• when they are able to
regulate their behaviour
• focus their attention
• follow instructions
• cooperate with the
educators
• cooperate with their peers
• remember things they need
to do or know

16. Role of Educators: Supporting student
self-regulation
• educator teams provide many opportunities for the children to
engage in self-regulation practice
• students have easy access to and self-select, materials, peers and
time spent in classroom areas
• educators empower the students to make their own decisions
• materials thoughtfully selected and presented
• educators scaffold children as they problem solve and reflect on
their emotions and actions

17. Communication of
Learning

18. Parent Engagement and
Partnership
“Parents play a vital role in education.
When parents are engaged and involved,
everyone- students, parents, and families,
teachers, schools, and communities –
benefits, and our schools become
increasingly rich and positive places to
teach, learn, and grow”.

19. Possible Ways for you to Become
Involved
• Volunteer in the classroom
• Participate in a classroom experience, such as
cooking or planting a garden
• Sign-up to be part of School Council
• Provide “found” items from home to help
support the classroom’s dramatic area (food
containers, boxes, newspapers, tape)
• Volunteer during classroom outings
• Talk with your child about the documentation
that is coming home

20. Powerful Play
Play nourishes every aspect of children’s
development- it forms the foundation of
intellectual, social, physical, and emotional skills
necessary for success in school and in life. Play
“paves the way for learning”.
Canadian Council on Learning, (2006,pl2)