Premier McGuinty and his cabinet visited a school in North York where teachers and staff are making final preparations for full-day kindergarten.

McGuinty met St. Martha Catholic School principal Sal Lofranco to see first hand how full-day kindergarten will be rolled out in just one of nearly 600 schools next Tuesday. He also helped Grade 1 teacher Angela D’Addesso set up her classroom. Cabinet then held a full session in the school’s library.

Full-day kindergarten provides four- and five-year-olds with the strong foundation they need for future learning. It supports student achievement and builds on the government’s success in lowering primary class sizes and increasing the graduation rate.

Helping students reach their full potential is part of the Open Ontario Plan. Students who achieve early success in school are more likely to perform well later in school and go on to postsecondary education. This ensures that Ontario will have the skilled workforce to compete in the global economy.

• Full-day kindergarten will be phased in over time, and all publicly funded elementary schools should have it in place by 2015-16.
• Children will be supported by certified teachers and registered early childhood educators as they explore, discover and learn throughout the day.
• In some boards, children will also benefit from integrated before- and after-school programs offered as part of full-day kindergarten.

• See the full list of schools that will offer full-day kindergarten.
• Watch Premier McGuinty talk with bloggers about the importance of full-day kindergarten.