Art by Duncan Age 5
Beginning in November we will host an Open House every Tuesday from 9-11am. Come have a tour of the school and see us in action! We have a few spaces in all of our classes this year for continual enrollment, and are taking names for 2012-2013 school year. Phone the school to set up a visit, and come join our learning community!
FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN
The Saltspring Centre School was the first school in our district to offer a full day kindergarten(FDK) program beginning in September 2010. The Centre School has also been granted permission by the Ministry of Education to offer a half day program, so both options will be available each year.
As the whole province moved to FDK in elementary schools this year, parents and educators are adjusting to the reality, and questions do arise. To answer some of the common ones, I asked Gale Robinson, our Kindergarten teacher, what she thinks of FDK. “I am really excited about FDK. It provides a more relaxed, less hurried environment for the children as well as more time for individualized instruction.”
How did the change in schedule affect your program? “It gives the children more time to explore their interests and spend time involved in learning activities. Right now my students don’t want to leave at lunchtime. The in-school afternoons also give us time to do more art and music, storytelling and outside play.”
What do you say to parents who worry that their child will be pushed when he/she is not ready? 

“We don’t push the children, in any case. If anything, the full day has the opposite effect, by allowing children to develop on their time and terms, not according to the clock.”
Research studies confirm that attendance in full-day kindergarten results in academic and social benefits for students, at least in the primary grades (Cryan et al., 1992; Karweit, 1992). “Full-day kindergarten allows children and teachers time to explore topics in depth; reduces the ratio of transition time to class time; provides for greater continuity of day-to-day activities; and provides an environment that favors a child-centered, developmentally appropriate approach.”
“Of course, the length of the school day is only one dimension of the kindergarten experience. Other important issues include the nature of the kindergarten curriculum and the quality of teaching.” (Rothenberg, 1995) Robinson’s classroom is set up based on Montessori’s principles, including offering choice to the child, movement, hands-on learning materials, and individualized instruction. With over 15 years of experience teaching primary children, Robinson is confident in identifying and servicing the needs of her students.
Art by Sel Age 5
