The B.C. Teachers' Federation says it's surprised at Premier Gordon Campbell's promise to deliver all-day kindergarten next fall -- claiming it will take a large financial commitment to deliver.
At his Speech from the Throne Tuesday afternoon, Campbell made a pledge to focus efforts on early learning and early-childhood development.
"Full-time, five-year-old kindergarten will begin to be delivered in schools throughout British Columbia in September of 2010," he said.
But some supporters of the program aren't ready to celebrate just yet.
BCTF president Irene Lanzinger says even though the federation has always favoured all-day kindergarten, implementing it in the midst of a faltering economy may not be realistic.
"Kindergarten requires a lot of resources," Lanzinger said. "It's a play-based curriculum, so that requires a lot of materials for children to play."
First nations and English Second Language children are already entitled to all-day kindergarten in B.C., and it has been lauded as highly beneficial to a child's development.
But kindergarten classrooms are limited to 22 students each, and Langzinger says the public education system is already critically strained by its operating budget.
"Boards are strapped for cash," she said. "They're having a difficult time funding services to kids right now."
"There's going to have to be a significant infusion of money to make [all-day kindergarten] work."
Adrienne Montani is the provincial coordinator of First Call: B.C. Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition. She says all day kindergarten would release a tremendous burden from working parents.
"People call it the year from hell," Montani said, referring to the inconvenient schedule working parents face under half-day kindergarten.
But how the province aims to fund the program has yet to be revealed. West Vancouver already offers extended kindergarten, Montani said -- but on a pay basis.
Nova Scotia, Quebec and New Brunswick also offer all day kindergarten programs for families with five-year-olds.
