B.C. government still studying all-day kindergarten despite economic downturn
Nelson Daily News - The Canadian Press
November 19, 2008

Education Minister Shirley Bond says the government's plan to examine all-day kindergarten in British Columbia is turning out to be a huge exercise that requires a lot of homework.

She says the Liberals are still studying all-day kindergarten classes, but can't say if the program will be ready for next September's school year as many parents with almost school-age children are anticipating.

The government mentioned all-day kindergarten programs as part of its commitment to improving early childhood education in last February's throne speech.

Bond says British Columbia is still moving towards all-day kindergarten classes for five-year-old kids and phasing in optional childhood classes for three- and four-year-olds, but the proposal needs more study.

…. Bond says there is no final cost estimate for the program, but all-day kindergarten and early childhood education will cost hundreds of millions of dollars.