A new pilot project will be coming to a yet-to-be-determined Prince George school.
Seamless Day Kindergarten integrates before- and after-school care into the kindergarten classroom, delivered by certified early childhood educators (ECEs) who work alongside the classroom teacher.
A pilot project has now expanded to nearly double the number of schools in B.C. with Seamless Day Kindergarten.
"Adding more Seamless classrooms means providing continuity for more B.C. kids and peace of mind to more B.C. parents," said Rachna Singh, Minister of Education and Child Care.
"To have kindergarteners learning and receiving before- and after-school care all in one place makes days easier for everyone."
The pilot provides more families with access to affordable early learning and childcare, before and after school, conveniently located in the kindergarten classroom.
The province's first Seamless Day Kindergarten pilot began at Oliver Elementary in the Okanagan Similkameen School District (SD53) in 2019, which continues to be a success.
The province has now provided $3 million in 2022-23 to add 20 classrooms, expanding the Seamless Day Kindergarten to 45 classrooms throughout the province.
In 2023-24, $4.1 million in new funding will be provided to support the Seamless Day Kindergarten pilot.
School District No.57 (SD57) was selected to participate in the expansion but the specific participating school has not been determined yet.
"We know many families continue to need child care once their children begin school," said Grace Lore, Minister of State for Child Care.
"The Seamless Day Kindergarten classroom offers child care before and after school and will make it easier for busy families to get through their workday knowing their children are learning and well cared for at school."
