The Kindergarten program is based on educational policy and expectations as outlined in The Kindergarten Program (Ministry of Education, 2010). The Kindergarten program is designed as a continuum of learning from Kindergarten to Grade 8.
The Kindergarten program is a child-centred, developmentally appropriate,
integrated program of learning for four- and five-year-old children. The purpose
of the program is to establish a strong foundation for learning in the early years,
and to do so in a safe and caring, play-based environment that promotes the
physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of all children.
The primary goals of the Kindergarten program are:
• to establish a strong foundation for learning in the early years;
• to help children make a smooth transition from home, child care,
or preschool settings to school settings;
• to allow children to reap the many proven benefits of learning through
relationships, and through play and inquiry;
• to set children on a path of lifelong learning and nurture competencies
that they will need to thrive in the world of today and tomorrow
In the Kindergarten program, four "frames", or broad areas of learning are;
Belonging and Contributing
The learning encompassed by this frame also relates to children’s early
development of the attributes and attitudes that inform citizenship, through
their sense of personal connectedness to various communities.
Self-regulation and Well Being
What children learn in connection with this frame allows them to focus,
to learn, to respect themselves and others, and to promote well-being in
themselves and others.
Literacy and Mathematical Behaviours
What children learn in connection with this frame develops their capacity to
think critically, to understand and respect many different perspectives, and
to process various kinds of information.
Problem Solving and Innovation
The learning encompassed by this frame supports collaborative problem solving
and bringing innovative ideas to relationships with others.
The frames reflect the integrated way in which learning occurs during children's play and inquiry in Kindergarten. The four Kindergarten frames grow out of the four foundations for learning and development. The Kindergarten frames are defined more specifically to reflect the developmental and learning needs of children in Kindergarten and beyond.
