The Ministry of Education has granted the Summerland Montessori School and other independent schools the opportunity to offer part time Kindergarten programming to its students next year and into the future.
This comes despite the new government policy of offering full time care exclusively in the public school system.
The Summerland Montessori School will offer part time Kindergarten to students that will meet all Ministry of Education prescribed learning outcomes for this grade.
As it has for the past 10 years, the school will also offer a full-time advanced Kindergarten class for those five-year-old children who are ready for a more extensive academic program.
“Obviously there is a wide range of readiness for the kindergarten child entering the school system for the first time,” said Cal Johnson, head of school.
“Some children have experience in preschool or prekindergarten settings and will adapt to a full day program. These are the children that tend to thrive in our daily K classes. However, some children have not had these experiences and immersion into a five day, full day program can be stressful for both the child and the parents. It is important that a young student’s first year in school be enjoyable and that is why we give parents choices.”
With eight of 10 spaces still available in part-time Kindergarten, the school will fill the remaining spots on a first come first serve basis. There are an additional seven spots in the advanced full-day Kindergarten class.