Ontarians Want Full-Day Kindergarten Taught by Certified Teachers

August 17, 2009

Environics Survey Report - Ontarians' Attitudes Toward Early Learning.pdf

The people of Ontario have strong opinions on how the Ontario government initiative to introduce full-day learning for four- and five-year old children should be structured, according to an Environics survey of Ontarians’ attitudes about early learning.

When presented with three descriptions on the meaning of full-day Kindergarten, a vast majority of Ontarians believe it involves having a kindergarten teacher for the full-day. An overwhelming majority also feel that it is important that full-day kindergarten programs continue to be delivered by certified teachers. When asked to choose from four priorities for how the government funding allocated for the program should be used, the majority of Ontarians think it should involve a teacher for the full day.

These findings are contained in the Environics Research Group report “Ontarians’ Attitudes toward Early Learning” prepared for the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO).

“Clearly the majority of Ontarians feel that a full-day kindergarten program that is taught by certified teachers is the best solution to meet the learning needs of four- and five-year old children,” said ETFO President David Clegg.  “This is what they expected when they heard the Premier’s election commitment for a full-day kindergarten program.”

Clegg points out that certified teachers are specifically trained to provide the educational foundation for four- and five-year olds that will prepare them for the more structured learning environment they will encounter in later years.  Teachers are also trained to identify and address literacy problems and build math and social skills.

“If Ontario truly wishes to be a leader in ensuring that all our children get the best possible start in life, our children must begin their journey in the best possible learning environment.  Ontarians are telling us that this environment is one in which certified teachers occupy the critical role. This means a class taught by a certified teacher, all day, every day.”

The Environics survey was carried out among 900 adult Ontarians from July 15-27.  The margin of error for a survey of this magnitude is 3.3 percent, 19 times out of 20.

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario represents 73,000 elementary public school teachers and education workers across the province and is the largest teacher federation in Canada.