Space will be a problem
Chilliwack Times
28 Oct 2008
By: Mike Chouinard

The possibility the provincial government could radically expand the kindergarten program in B.C. brings with it both opportunities and concerns, according to local stakeholders.

The Chilliwack Early Years Committee has issued a Community Response Paper outlining the opportunities as well as the potential threats if the government goes ahead with all-day kindergarten for five-year-olds and perhaps expand the kindergarten program to add four--and even three-year-olds. The committee put together its statement following a presentation about kindergarten proposals by Joanne Schroeder, the provincial community development manager from UBC's Human Early Learning Partnership, in Chilliwack on Oct. 8.

… One concern was the question of space, especially as a number of schools in the district are using portables because of capacity issues. Bringing kindergarten students in for a full day instead of splitting the students between mornings and afternoons could put further strain on the space within School District No. 33.

"If it's all day, you need to double the space," Chilliwack Early Years Committee coordinator Karin Rempel said. "Chilliwack is a growing school district, where a lot of school districts are shrinking."

Another concern that arose was what an expanded kindergarten program could mean for current child care businesses that currently look after pre-schoolers.

… "A child care provider could not make a living on it if you only have infant-toddler [care]."

However, on the positive side, the participants at the workshop felt the idea of all-day kindergarten could mean opportunities for the school district, the Chilliwack Early Years Committee and child care providers to work more closely together. Rempel said they already have a strong relationship with the school district, which sits as a member at the early years table.