June 15, 2009 11:00 AM
Ontario has received a comprehensive report on full-day learning for four- and five-year old children.
Dr. Charles Pascal, the government's Early Learning Advisor, delivered his With Our Best Future In Mind report with 20 recommendations on how to improve education for children up to age 12.
Despite the current global economic climate, Ontario remains committed to investing $200 million in 2010/11 and $300 million in 2011/12 to launch full-day learning for four- and five-year-olds. The government will continue working with Dr. Pascal as it develops a strategy for implementation beginning in September, 2010.
The report recommends that a portion of the first full-day learning programs for pre-school children begin in lower-income neighbourhoods, as part of Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy.
"I want to thank Dr. Pascal for his ambitious report. It paints an exciting future for early learning in Ontario. Helping Ontario's young people get the best education is part of our plan to build a stronger economy."
– Dalton McGuinty
Premier of Ontario