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While parents are clamouring to enroll their children in all-day kindergarten for next fall, interest in extended-day programs has been less enthusiastic, meaning that many of the GTA schools set to introduce the full-day program next fall won't be offering before- and after-school care.
Minister of Education Leona Dombrowsky announced the list of more than 200 sites for the second phase of its rollout Tuesday, including an additional 20 sites in Toronto. The vision of Charles Pascal, the expert who developed the model for the program, was to provide continuous care throughout the day, combining childcare and education. But for that model to be maintained, the school boards stand to learn a lesson from the first phase of the rollout: Parents won't commit to before- and after- school programs without a firm price tag.
"We're not able to offer it at any of our sites, there hasn't been enough interest," said Catherine LeBlanc Miller, a trustee for the Toronto Catholic District School Board, which will roll out the full-day program at 28 sites this fall. "I think it's because of the fees, parents want to know the price before they commit."
Kelly Baker, a spokeswoman for the Toronto District School Board, said after-hours childcare would be offered at "only a handful" of the 71 schools where the board will introduce the program this fall.
"I think there is a range value. Last I heard there wasn't a concrete price so that might have something to do with why people haven't signed up," she said.
None of the 25 sites at the York Region District School Board had sufficient demand either.
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, however, will be offering extended daycare next fall at most of its 16 full-day sites through contracts with existing providers like the YMCA.
"They are charging $22 a day and have advertised this to parents," said spokesman Bruce Campbell.
All-day kindergarten will be introduced in September in nearly 600 schools across the province, and by the 2011-12 school year, in an additional 200 schools, bringing the full-day option to about 50,000 students.
Extended-day care aside, the full-day program remains popular among parents.
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- reprinted from the Globe and Mail